If you see a silverfish in your home, you might not recognize it at first. You might even get scared. Creepy-looking pest in your home? That’s a reason to panic, right? Not exactly. While silverfish certainly look unnerving, they are mostly harmless. However, their presence should still be cause for concern. Use this guide to understand what silverfish are, why getting rid of them is hard, and solutions you can use to eradicate them.
What Do Silverfish Look Like?
Silverfish get their name from two parts of their appearance — their shiny, silvery scales that cover their brown bodies and their fish-like wriggling movement. The three bristles on the posterior of their bodies are another distinct part of their appearance. Their exact color varies between silver, blue, brown, or white, and they can be anywhere from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long.
Ways That Silverfish Get Into Homes
While they can live in almost any climate, silverfish prefer environments that are damp and dark. Kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements are perfect for them. Because they consume starches and sugars as well, they may eat through boxes, paper, clothing, and even shoes (not to mention foods!). That means you may find them in attics or garages, too.
When choosing places to hide and nest, silverfish go for dark and humid areas. Their nymphs grow faster when humidity is high. Wall voids and crawl spaces are especially attractive to them. Because they’re nocturnal and like to stay hidden, you might not spot them until the infestation become larger. If you spot a silverfish, immediately contact a professional pest control company like Innovative Pest control to get help.
The Secrets to Preventing Silverfish Infestations
Preventing a silverfish infestation is a lot easier than getting rid of one once it begins. Use these handy tips to locate the source of silverfish infestations and keep them out of your home.
- Seal up outdoor entry points. Cracks, openings, doors, and windows are all potential entry points for silverfish.
- Reduce the humidity in your home. Run dehumidifiers in your kitchens, bathrooms, and basements or wherever there is excess moisture.
- Properly seal up food and paper products. Plastic containers will keep foods inaccessible, while metal filing cabinets will make it harder for silverfish to get to your paper products. Keep books on bookshelves with backboards. Avoid leaving food sitting on counters or tables, even if they’re in a bowl.
- Clean you house regularly. Messes and food lying around will draw silverfish in, so clean them up immediately. Organize closets and opt for plastic containers over cardboard boxes. Regularly clean closets and attics.
- Avoid DIY pest control solutions. These rarely get rid of silverfish eggs, which you must destroy in order to prevent or eradicate an infestation.
- These solutions can range from ineffective and money-wasting to harmful and dangerous.
The Best Method For Dealing With Silverfish
If you have an ongoing silverfish infestation in your Texas home and need help, contact Innovate Pest Control for a free home inspection. We can identify the source of the silverfish infestation, set up an affordable and thorough treatment plan, and eliminate your infestation. We’ve served East Texas residents since 1992, and our trained technicians are skilled at eliminating any kind of pest infestation you encounter.
Our innovative pest control services provide quarterly inspections, free return treatments if you spot more pests, and targeted coverage for 16+ common pests. Innovate your pest control and contact Innovative Pest Control to become pest-free today.
Categories:
- Silverfish Infestation in Texas,
- Silverfish Control
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