A Closer Look At Silverfish

Silverfish are rarely silver; only some silverfish adopt a silver exterior at a particular point in their lives. Many more silverfish are more of a brownish color. They are arthropods that will gladly eat almost anything they can find in your home, especially if it is high in carbohydrates/ starches. They have been known to regularly eat clothing, shampoo, hair, glue, paper in books, and toilet paper. While they especially like hiding in bathrooms and kitchens, they can be found in any room of your home where there is high humidity and cracks/ crevices for them to hide in. They really aren’t restricted to any one geographical location; silverfish are nuisances in homes all around the world. Relatively speaking, they are not harmful to human healthy. They are incapable of spreading disease to us, but they are capable of stinging. Their stings are mildly irritating, but cause no long term effects. They can cause considerable damage to your home and property. One sign that you may have a silverfish infestation is by finding their skin laying around, as they shed skins often. Another sign is by examining your property, in particular wall paper, books, clothing and fabrics. If you find neat little holes chewed into these items, or any yellow stains on your fabrics and clothing, that is most likely a sign of a silverfish problem.

Getting Rid of Silverfish

Though silverfish may not be as harmful to human health as cockroaches or ticks, they are still not a pleasant sight and they are embarrassing because, in some cases, poor hygiene is the root cause of a silverfish infestation. There are ways to eradicate a current silverfish problem and ward off anymore silverfish from coming back. Vacuum often to remove egg masses, hair and food crumbs from carpeted areas. Regularly clean around and behind appliances, machinery, inside cupboards, drawers, and pantries. Keep countertops clean and free of crumbs. Minimizing their food source is a good step, but it is not the only step. Silverfish can live without food or water for up to a year. Since silverfish like to live in moist areas, it is a good idea to eliminate these areas wherever possible. Ventilate bathrooms and invest in a dehumidifier for areas where dampness may occur, such as the basement or the attic. Regularly under your sinks and repair any leaky faucets or pipes you see. Wrap or insulate any pipes that have excess moisture. Good hygiene is your first defense against silverfish, but if they get out of hand, there is no shame in calling your local pest control company for assistance.