Silverfish are tiny, silver-colored, catfish-shaped insects that get into Spring Hill homes. When they invade, there are three things they're hoping to find. You can deter those insects by removing what they're looking for.
Food
These insects are always looking for food. But the food they eat isn't what we tend to eat. While they can live on rolled oats and some other pantry foods, they can also live on books, silk, wallpaper, shampoo, hair, dead insects and much more. They feed on starches found in glue, paste, and some cellulose. Though they consume cellulose, they don't damage the wood of a home like termites or carpenter ants. They can easily feed on the cellulose of moist paper but have a hard time feeding on a damp piece of 2 x 4. You can resist silverfish activity in your bathroom by keeping things as clean as possible. You can resist them in your pantry and kitchen by protecting food in sealed containers and by cleaning up spills quickly.
Moisture
Silverfish are going to go where the moisture is. If you have leaky faucets, weeping pipes or some other moisture issue, silverfish are going to be right at home. They will take a drink from moisture droplets and also feed on paper and fabrics that are moistened by dampness. Repairing plumbing issues can help to resist silverfish.
Humidity
Silverfish live in areas of high humidity. This is why you are most likely to see them in your basement or bathroom. If a silverfish gets into a home that is dry, it isn't going to stay or live for very long. You can promote low humidity by turning the bathroom fan on when you're taking a shower. If you have a jetted tub, it is a good idea to drain it between uses. If you have a basement that is high in humidity, dehumidifiers and fans can help to make it more resistant to silverfish.
The Best Control for Silverfish
While you can certainly deter silverfish by reducing humidity, moisture and food options, the best way to get rid of silverfish and to keep silverfish from invading your home in the first place is to invest in a residential pest control program. A good residential pest control plan will put a barrier around the outside of your home that will eliminate silverfish and the conditions that promote silverfish activity.
At All-American Pest Control, we help Spring Hill residents keep silverfish and over 46 other household pests out of their homes through the application of barrier treatments. These treatments make your foundation perimeter a terrible place for silverfish to be. Smart silverfish will stay away and not-so-smart silverfish will be eliminated. The products we use are EPA approved and are only strong enough to harm silverfish and other simple organisms. It won't hurt you, your kids or your pets. With this barrier in place, you'll have the best chance of keeping all kinds of unwanted pests out of your home.
Do you have any questions? We'd be happy to address them. Ask us about Perimeter Plus Pest Control, All-For-One Advantage and All-For-One Complete care and find out which one will work best for your specific needs and budget. No home in Middle Tennessee should be without a residential pest control plan. Pests like silverfish can do a lot of damage to your belongings and also get into your stored food. Keep them out with a pest control plan you can trust. Reach out and talk to one of our Spring Hill pest control experts today. We're standing by to assist you with this vital service for your health and property.