Nebraskaland

56 Nebraskaland • October 2026 Mixed Bag A n i m a l s m i g ra te to se a rc h fo r food, water or breeding grounds, and iconic species like sandhill cranes and monarch butterflies are familiar. However, the mini migrations that take place on the ground at night during spring, late summer and fall are lesser known. For reasons that still are not completely understood, m i l l i p e d e s h ave b e e n o b s e r ve d traveling in groups by the thousands u n d e r t h e c ove r o f d a r k n e s s — something I witnessed for the first time recently. A Sci-fi Moment While assisting with bird banding field trips in the fall at Chadron State Park a few years ago, I went outside to enjoy the evening on my first night staying in one of the cozy, rustic cabins. It was a clear night with a slight chill in the air, and as darkness fell, a heavy blanket of deep blue studded with shimmering stars covered the sky. But — as my luck would have it — I couldn't just have this peaceful night play out like I had envisioned. W h i l e a t t e m p t i n g t o g r a b something from inside the cabin, I discovered that I had been locked out and my key was sitting on the table. As I was trying to figure out a game plan, I made another discovery: Hundreds of tiny millipedes began marching across the porch, making t h e i r way s t ra i g h t for my front door. It looked like a scene from a sci-fi movie. I eventually got back into the cabin through an open window and found that they had gotten inside. I ended up covering the small space under the door with a towel, and by morning, the porch was completely void of marching millipedes. I released the few that had managed to get inside the cabin. This bizarre phenomenon sparked a series of questions that sucked me into an internet rabbit hole on all things related to mass millipede movements. What Triggers Millipede Migrations? Millipedes are long, cylindrical or f lat invertebrates that are closely related to lobsters and crayfish. Their name translates to "thousands of feet," despite most species having less than a hundred legs. Millipedes are harmless to humans and spend their time in moist soils underneath logs and leaf litter, breaking down organic matter and improving soil health. Since they are typically nocturnal with the ir active window falling between dusk and dawn, you may have never seen one. Researchers still have a lot to learn about millipedes and the ir behaviors, but it is believed that certain factors may trigger these migrations. Excessive rain or extreme droughts, breeding seasons, resource competition or habitat disruption are all potential factors that could cause these spikes in movement. As the fall chill begins to set in during September a n d O c to b e r, m i l l i p e d e s m ay b e seeking out quarters to hibernate and overwinter, leading to increases in these nightly migrations. Tips for Keeping Them Out While I love finding millipedes, I don't necessarily want droves of them in my home. If you've had millipede home invasions, look for entry points, such as underneath doors or other small openings, and avoid using insecticides as they are virtually ineffective in this scenario. Instead, install weather strips under garage doors to keep millipedes and other insects from seeking shelter in your space. Also, organic matter that stays moist and can provide shelter, such as leaf litter and mulch, should be moved away from your foundation to deter millipedes from establishing around your home. Millipede Migration By Brianna Nugent, Community Science Program Manager Traveling cherry millipede. BRIANNA NUGENT

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