Silverfish
Silverfish are known for their metallic and silvery color appearance and can be a nuisance to their surroundings. They typically habit in moist and humid areas of a house such as attics, basements, and bathrooms. Silverfish are one of the many insects commonly found in homes.
Adult silverfish have a body length between ½-3/4 inches. Throughout their adult stages, they molt and shed their skins. They do not have wings and have a flat, tapered body. Silverfish are multi-legged, this makes them fast in movement. These insects are nocturnal and frighten people often as they only come out of their hiding places at night.
Are Silverfish Dangerous?
While silverfish are troublesome and considered not to be harmful, they can cause damages to your house belongings. They have weak jaws that are not strong enough to pierce the human skin. However, they are strong enough to scrape against things like books, fabrics, wallpaper, food, and clothing.
Silverfish leave yellow stains and holes in the surface of materials they live in. Although they do not transmit diseases, they are sometimes responsible for the contamination of food. Their skins collect dust which when left on food surfaces causes allergic reactions in people.
Sign of Silverfish Infestation
There are various signs to tell if the interior or exterior of a property has been infested by silverfish.
They include:
-Surface etchings
-Holes in wood furniture, clothing, or paper
-Yellow stains on surface materials
What Attracts Silverfish?
Silverfish are attracted to damp places and cellulose. Cellulose is a polysaccharide and insoluble substance found in plants, which are used in making papers and fabrics. Once they sense a damp place that has cellulose, they inhabit it.
How to Prevent Silverfish
To avoid having an property infested with silverfish, here are a few tips to keep them away:
-Ensure that water drains are aimed away from your home and the gutters are kept clean
-Use dehumidifiers in damp areas to help remove moisture and keep the areas unattractive to silverfish
-Line the dirt floors of the crawl spaces of your property with plastic or tarpsheets to help control moisture
-Seal cracks in walls, ceilings, bathrooms, windows, and baseboards
Get Rid of Silverfish
Elimination of silverfish from your property is quite challenging given they have flat bodies and are high-speed hiders. More so, the fact that they are nocturnal insects does not make spotting and killing them an easy task.
Eliminate silverfish and other pests in your home and avoid recurring infestations by hiring Brady Pest Control. We are pest professionals dedicated to helping you keep your home pest free. Our trained professionals are adept at identifying and treating areas where silverfish and other pests may exist. Contact us today for your professional exterminator.
