Silverfish are tiny insects, often no longer than the width of a nickel! Although small in stature and not highly dangerous to humans, these pesky insects are known to cause damage to many items throughout your home.
Here's what you need to know about identifying silverfish in your home, avoiding the damage they inflict on your personal items, tips on preventing them from entering your home in the first place. If you are in need of silverfish pest control, call Prosite pest Control today. We offer the most comprehensive Kittitas County pest control.
How To Identify Silverfish
Silverfish are sometimes confused with earwigs, centipedes, and other such pests. However, there are key characteristics to be on the lookout for in order to determine if you indeed have silverfish on your hands:
- Metallic silver to brown coloring
- Six legs
- Elongated teardrop shape
- Threadlike antennae
Silverfish size is generally 1/2 to 3/4 inches. As indicated by their name, when silverfish move, they wriggle like a fish swimming in the water. This fishlike movement is a key sign that you may have a silverfish in your home.
The Damage Silverfish Can Do In Your Home
Silverfish feed primarily on items that contain protein, sugars, and starch. In addition to food items that you may have in your pantry, the following items in your home are susceptible to damage should you have a silverfish infestation:
- Books
- Drapes
- Carpets
- Linens
- Clothes
- Silk
This is by no means an exhaustive list of household items that silverfish may damage. In addition to the harm these insects inflict on your home goods, they also commonly infest food and contaminate pantry items.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Silverfish In Your Home
Do you already have a silverfish problem in your home? If so, here are the best ways to get rid of silverfish:
- Vacuum carpets regularly.
- Dust furniture, drapes, and walls often.
- Attract silverfish in your home to wet newspaper. Once the newspaper is covered by insects, dispose of it outside.
- Use cedar oil with either a spray bottle or a diffuser. This acts as a repellent.
- Place dried bay leaves in the affected areas of your home. Silverfish can't stand it!
If your silverfish problem has grown to the point that these steps are not solving the problem, call Prosite to discuss further steps you can take to get silverfish out of your home for good.
Silverfish Prevention Tips For Around The House
Silverfish are attracted to humid, wet areas as they search for hiding places and food. As a result, you may come across silverfish in bathrooms. The key to preventing silverfish involves mitigating these factors. The following techniques have proven successful at preventing silverfish and other pests:
- Fix leaky plumbing.
- Clean clogged gutters.
- Utilize a dehumidifier in poorly ventilated areas.
- Ventilate rooms.
- Seal holes in your home's exterior.
- Keep food in airtight containers.
- Securely store pet foods.
- Reduce the use of adhesives in the home.
- Store clothes that are not being used in a dry area, free from excess humidity.
- Remove damp debris from the outside of your home.
These prevention tips can help prevent silverfish from entering your home and getting comfortable there. However, if you have tried the tips for getting rid of silverfish and still have an infestation, call the pest control professionals at Prosite today. We have the necessary expertise to locate these pests, draw them out of hiding, exterminate, and dispose of them. We'll also conduct a thorough review of your home to determine how a silverfish got inside and remove these access points to help make sure you don't have to deal with this problem again!