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Silverfish are not, as their name would indicate, a type of fish. They are primitive, wingless insects that are shimmery or metallic gray and move on land the same way a fish would underwater. Silverfish might be millions of years old and have been around during the Silurian period when the first fauna and flora developed, even before the first dinosaurs. While they do not serve any purpose indoors, they are decomposers like earthworms and essential to our planet’s ecological balance. Because they are nocturnal, silverfish shy away from light, and you might not even notice they are in your house if you don’t spot one in the evening or when the house is dark. That is when they come out of their hiding places looking for food. They are not picky and are happy to live off anything rich in protein and carbohydrates like sugar, cereal grains, and meat, but they will also go for non-food items like wallpaper and even glue. Of all the pests that might invade your home, silverfish are one of the least dangerous as they are not known to be aggressive, and unlike other scavengers, they do not carry pathogens that could affect humans. They will not bite you or crawl into people’s ears at night despite what you might have heard, but they still are a nuisance pest. If you have spotted these wiggly insects in your home, it is time to learn about silverfish, discover what attracts them to your home, and try four no-sweat prevention tips to keep silverfish out of your home. If you are struggling with an infestation, All-American Pest Control Inc provides pest control in Brentwood that you can rely on to rid your home of these scaly invaders year-round.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish is an ancient insect. Not only are they covered in shiny silver scales and have a tapered tail end, but they also move in a wiggly fashion, making them look like fish in many ways. That being said, they are terrestrial pests and cannot swim but need humidity more than they need a regular food supply. Silverfish have long antennae in the front and long bristles at the other end of their body, giving them a startling appearance. Even though they are not biting or stinging insects and do not carry diseases that could make your household sick, they can still cause significant damage to your home. You must exterminate them before they have a chance to reproduce exponentially. The silverfish diet is pretty varied, as they will readily eat sweet and sugary foods in your kitchen. They are also prone to attacking wallpaper and paper-based products like photos and books. As you can imagine, having more than a few silverfish around can lead to expensive repairs down the road and the loss of potentially irreplaceable or sentimentally-significant items. They can also chew through clothing, and if you suddenly find holes in your shirts, you might not be dealing with moths but silverfish instead. Also, silverfish might take over food containers, and while they don’t carry dangerous pathogens, they will still contaminate them with their feces rendering them unsafe to eat. And finally, they can trigger allergic reactions in some people and cause other pests to come indoors. You might want a pest control professional to check out your infestation, as you could be dealing with something else altogether. Some bugs that look like silverfish include earwigs, centipedes, and woodlice, but only silverfish will leave silvery scales throughout your home as they molt. If silverfish have started to take over, read on to learn what might attract them to your home.
What Can Attract Silverfish To My Home?
Many factors attract silverfish to homes, including the following:
- Humidity: High humidity levels are one of the main reasons why you might have silverfish. You will often find silverfish in bathrooms, basements, and more. It is not unusual to find them in bathtubs, which can be quite startling when you’re not expecting to see them.
- Paper-based products: Getting rid of paper products as a whole isn’t likely to be possible, but they are a significant factor in silverfish infestations. Silverfish can go without food for a very long time and survive on little more than books and wallpaper. This is a problem because some documents are irreplaceable, and replacing wallpaper can become a significant household expense.
- High-carbohydrate foods: While silverfish can live off paper for quite a while, they have no problems getting into our food. Stowing your ingredients away in a plastic bag will not likely make a big difference because these pesky pests can chew through cellulose, cardboard, and even plastic! If you are dealing with a silverfish problem, you will want to put away your food in sturdy containers that can close hermetically.
Getting rid of these factors is not always easy or even possible, but when it comes to silverfish infestations, the following prevention tips can help keep these destructive pests out of your home.
Four No-Sweat Prevention Tips To Keep Silverfish Out Of Your Home
To increase your chances of keeping silverfish out of your home, you will need to focus on prevention tips that are proven effective. They can also help with other types of pests and are a good idea, even outside pest infestations. Some of the most effective strategies include:
- Lowering humidity levels: One good first step is to install dehumidifiers strong enough to cover the entire house. Beyond that, since silverfish tend to take over bathrooms and other hot and humid areas, it is always best to run fans after showers and baths and open windows whenever possible as long as you fit them with mesh screens.
- Fixing leaks: Beyond average humidity, you might have undiagnosed leaks in your home. Fixing them can help keep moisture levels down.
- Scheduling regular inspections: A professional pest control company can not only detect a silverfish infestation before it has had a chance to grow, but service team members can use various strategies to prevent them from taking over in the first place.
- Fixing cracks in walls and foundations: Silverfish often come in through entry points like cracks in the structure of your home. A licensed pest control technician can help you select suitable materials to fill them in.
- Fitting windows with screens: Keeping windows closed at all times is not a reasonable expectation. Fitting them with fine mesh screens can help keep silverfish and other unwanted bugs outdoors where they belong.
Getting rid of silverfish successfully will usually require you to use the prevention tips we just described, along with pest control treatments.
How Can I Get Rid Of These Pesky Silverfish Once And For All?
If you are ready to get rid of silverfish, call or text for a free evaluation or to schedule an inspection and discover how you can make your home pest-free again and for good. At All-American Pest Control Inc, we have been servicing Middle Tennessee homes since 1961 and are proud to offer top-quality, reliable silverfish control in Brentwood. We are locally owned and operated and prioritize green and eco-friendly treatments that are proven to work to keep your family safe and your home free of bugs. You will quickly see why we are known for our reliable service, thoughtful innovation, and excellent customer service. Our service team members are ready to exterminate your silverfish infestation with the perfect solutions for your unique situation and needs and prevent it from returning. These pesky insects reproduce quickly at the rate of over a dozen eggs a day for some adult females, and if you have spotted one or just a few around your home, you could have a full-blown problem very soon. Fortunately, there are plenty of options to get rid of silverfish in your home safely. While silverfish are surprisingly fast and can run away from predators and yourself quickly, they are no match for our experience dealing with these pests.
Silverfish might not seem like much of a problem since they only come out when the house is dark and quiet and aren’t aggressive, but an infestation can quickly lead to many problems. These destructive pests do not care if they are chewing through prized books, certificates, wallpaper, or magazines. They will not hesitate to go through plastic bags to get to your food supply which they will promptly contaminate with feces and allergens. Between replacing your paper-based products and the food in your kitchen, they can cause unwanted expenses. Please don’t wait for them to reproduce and take over, making it more difficult and lengthy to get rid of them. As it is, silverfish have adapted to resist many different types of pesticides and are usually unaffected by homemade or DIY treatments. Instead, let us take care of your problem and show you the best way to get rid of silverfish and prevent them from returning with easy tips you can start using today.
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