Recently the following question came to the AnswerLine inbox: I have little worm-like bugs, both dead and alive, in my basement; they are especially found in the corners and damp areas. How do I get rid of these?
AnswerLine replied: Without a picture, we cannot be certain. However, something that is common and fits your description is a type of millipede. They are found in damp areas around foundations, basements, etc. Here is an Extension publication from the University of Minnesota that has some photos and management instructions: http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/insects/find/sowbugs-millipedes-centipedes/
Reply: It is Millipedes. Thanks for the help.
With the unusual wet conditions that the Midwest is experiencing this year, it is quite possible that many will be seeing millipedes and their counterparts (sowbugs, centipedes, pillbugs, roly-polys) in basements and crawl spaces, around foundations, and damp places in the yard this year.
Millipedes and company are unusual arthropods or a many-legged relative of insects. Millipedes, usually dark brown in color, have worm-like bodies with two pairs of legs per body segment and a pair of antennae. When they die, they usually coil because coiling is their first means of defense. Dead or alive, they can simply be swept or vacuumed and disposed of outside.
While they do frighten people, they are more of a nuisance than harmful. They do not bite or pose any danger to humans, transmit diseases to plants or animals, or cause damage to the home or food per information provided by Colorado State University Extension. They often move into the home in the spring and fall but unless they find moisture, they will usually die within two days.
These many-legged insect relatives are actually beneficial in the landscape. They feed on aphids and other soft-bodied insect pests and, like worms, recycle decaying organic matter.
If infestation is a problem, the University of Minnesota and Colorado State University Extension publications linked above provide management information.
Back in the 1990s, I began an initial planting of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) along our creek banks with seeds from a single pod that I found along the road side. In the 20 some years since, those few seeds have fostered a nice habitat for monarchs as they not only spread along the creek bank, but also into the surrounding pasture. This year I am once again on a mission to collect some pods, harvest the seeds, and eventually plant them. However, this time I have a partner; my 9-year old granddaughter loves monarchs and wants to do her part in helping their survival.
They begin light green in color and gradually over the summer turn yellow-green and eventually sage green to sage grey-brown. As they get to this later stage, they will start to split. 
This is the stage that you want for harvesting seeds. When the pod is opened, the seeds inside should be dark brown. If they’re green or light brown, they’re not mature yet and won’t sprout when planted. 
If you don’t see the split or aren’t sure about the color, you can gently push on the pod; if it splits easily and the seeds are brown, it is ready; if it won’t pop open easily, leave it for another time.
The fluff enables the wind to scatter and disperse the seed over a wide area. Whether the seed is saved to share or use later or planted this fall, the fluff should be removed and it is best to do this before the pod fully opens and explodes. When the seeds are all compact inside the pod, it is easy to do by carefully removing the spine holding the fluff and running your fingers down it; as you do, the seeds fall out easily. Check out the 
In all cases, please be advised to wear gloves or wash hands frequently when working with milkweed or pods. Milkweed sap (looks like milk) can be an eye irritant, so take appropriate precautions to avoid this kind of discomfort.
There is a lot of moving going on in the area I live. Many leases are turning over August 1st or September 1st. I have seen lots of furniture on the curb for free and there are several places that offer furniture swaps or sell the used furniture at bargain prices. There are also a number of people giving their used furniture away to friends they know that could use it.
Are ants finding their way into your home this Spring/Summer? AnswerLine receives calls on a regular basis from callers looking for ways to get rid of those pesky ants.
With kids back in school, it’s probably only a matter of time until you hear about head lice. Anyone who comes in close contact with someone who already has head lice is at risk for acquiring head lice as they are easily transmitted from head to head. Preschool and elementary-school children and their families are most often infected. While head lice infestation is very common and has been around for centuries, they are contagious, an annoyance and disruption to family life, and sometimes tough to get rid of—been there, done that!
We have been having a lot of calls about ants in the home lately and I must confess, I’ve been seeing them in my house this summer too. We put a kitchen and great room addition on to our house last summer. We made every effort to seal things up tightly to prevent mice and insects from entering. I was sad to see some ants on my kitchen counter today before I came into work. I thought that a bit of research was in order to see just how or where the ants were entering.
The American Dog Tick is also known as the wood tick. These ticks are found predominantly in grassy fields as well as along walkways and trails. They feed on a variety of warm blooded animals. Without a host, they may survive up to two years but need a host to move to the next stage of their development. They can transmit diseases such as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever; however, this disease is not common in Iowa, Minnesota, or South Dakota.
The Lone Star Tick is abundant in the south central and southeastern US and in recent years has become common in Iowa as well. It is recognized by the white dot on the back of the adult female. The adult feeds on large mammals while the immature ticks prefer birds and small mammals. These ticks are usually found in bushy and grassy areas and can transmit the bacteria of several diseases but not Lyme Disease.
