Silverfish are prevalent in homes, but a lot of people don't understand much about them. When there's a lack of knowledge about a pest, mistakes can be made in trying to deter or eliminate them. This is one of the multiple reasons to have pest control in The Woodlands.
Silverfish can dominate your residence and ruin your personal property. If you keep reading, you'll learn more about these annoying bugs and how to go about preventing them.
How To Identify A Silverfish
At maximum, silverfish are about ¾ of an inch long. Their metallic bodies are shaped like a carrot. They're usually brown or silver, with a pair of antennae and three outstretched appendages at the rear of their bodies. Like all insects, silverfish have six legs.
A silverfish infestation in The Woodlands is marked by a few things. One is seeing these pests during the day, as they're usually active at night. Another is finding their peppery fecal matter on surfaces and various belongings. You also may find evidence of silverfish damage, which we'll cover in the next section.
Why You Don't Want Silverfish In Your House
You don't want silverfish in your home because they will feed on several materials. Important documents, books, and magazines could become a bit tattered, or you may discover that your favorite outfit has small holes in it. The same goes for other fabrics like linens, towels, and even upholstered furniture. Items with glue are liable to be affected, as well as wallpaper and cellulose shampoo. A silverfish diet includes food as well. These bugs love sugar, grains, carbohydrates, and starches.
While these pests are a nuisance and can damage personal belongings, silverfish bug bites are a myth. These insects don't have a reputation for biting or stinging people, nor do they spread bacteria or diseases.
Why And How Silverfish Find Their Way Into Your Home
As with a good number of creepy crawlers, silverfish come indoors because they're searching for something to eat. They will have no problems getting through openings in windows, doors, and foundations. Dark and humid spaces are comfortable for them. Spots they'll gravitate to include the following:
- Bathrooms
- Boxes
- Garages
- Attics
- Kitchens
- Sheds
- Basements
- Storage containers
It's also possible to accidentally bring silverfish into your home in boxes or items from outdoors.
Why You Should Call The Pros About Silverfish In Your Home
It's common for people to purchase over-the-counter items, such as sprays, when faced with a pest infestation. Some folks believe that retail products are just as effective as professional solutions, but this is inaccurate. Most products are only effective against minor pest invasions, and they can be rather expensive. To boot, they can have strong chemicals and complex instructions. "Natural remedies" are also too weak to eradicate pests long term. While professional methods are best for eliminating an active silverfish infestation, these tips can be useful for silverfish prevention:
- Promptly put wet clothes in the dryer.
- Address moisture issues immediately.
- Always open crawlspace vents.
- Use a dehumidifier.
- Seal cracks in foundations and baseboards.
- Examine packages and storage items prior to pulling them inside.
- Remove garbage and wash the dishes regularly.
- Use covered containers for food and trash.
- Reduce clutter.
- Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite for assistance.
Our professional approaches at All-Safe Pest & Termite are comprehensive, affordable, and safe. We have high-quality perimeter barriers, crevice applications, dusts, residual liquids, and more. The goal is to keep silverfish and other critters from reaching your home and thriving on your property. Call today for a free silverfish control estimate!