What are Silverfish?
Silverfish are tiny insects that get their name from their metallic coloring, and usually make an appearance at night. These night-crawlers move at a very rapid pace and love to hide out in dark places, so they might just sneak up on you. To be on the lookout, monitor the dark and isolated areas of your home, such as your basement or attic.
These pests are notorious for destroying materials such as paper, silk, cotton, and even leather. Silverfish may cause destruction by leaving small holes in your belongings, as well as staining items they come in contact with.
What do they look like?
Aside from their obvious silvery appearance, Silverfish have a double antenna and three long limbs coming from their rear. If you don’t count their antennas or appendages, these bugs can span anywhere from half an inch to one full inch. In addition to these identifiers, Silverfish have six legs, and their bodies are very slender and nimble.
How to get rid of Silverfish
In the event of a silverfish infestation, the best course of action is to call a professional exterminator that can conduct a thorough inspection. However, there are some effective home remedies to lessen the impact.
Here are the best ways to get rid of silverfish:
- Cedar Oil: Cedar oil can be used in a diffuser to fill the air with strong pheromones, which Silverfish are not a fan of. You can also opt for a spray bottle with a mixture of both cedar oil and water.
- Bay Leaves: Head over to your spice cabinet, because your spare bay leaves can be extremely useful here. The oils of the bay leaves will have them running the other way.
- Wet Newspaper: Put your old newspapers to good use by creating a Silverfish trap. You’ll want to roll up your newspaper, secure both ends with a rubber band, and then dampen the paper to create a moist environment. Place these homemade traps around your house at night in moist and dark places, and you’ll wake up to find these little guys bundled inside. Make sure not to unwrap the traps, and instead throw them away or burn them.
- What attracts silverfish?
- Silverfish are more likely to settle into your home when you’ve made it comfortable for them. For example: providing them food and shelter. However, it doesn’t stop here. Any warm, moist places such as crawlspaces and basements can attract them to your home. This means you’ll want to avoid leaving your dirty dishes in the sink or out in the open.
How to Prevent Silverfish
Preventing these bugs from making your home theirs is half the battle. There are a few things that can be done to make sure you are making it as uncomfortable as possible for them to share a space with you.
Here are the best ways to prevent silverfish:
- Protect your food: Consider whether or not these bugs are getting into your food. If this is the case, you’ll want to take measures to prevent them from gaining access, such as opting for thick, reusable containers with tight lids.
- Clean dirty areas: Conduct a walk-through of all of the rooms in your home, especially those rooms that are not in use. Attics, basements, and guest rooms can house dust, which will attract silverfish if nothing else is available. Performing a deep clean can drastically reduce your chances of becoming a victim of a pest infestation.
- Store paper and books in airtight containers: Remember that stack of books and papers in your home office that has been collecting dust for months? You’ll want to either get rid of these or store them in an airtight container to keep them out. This may have prompted you to remember the piles of childhood scrapbooks that are taking up space in your basement or attic, where there is a much higher chance that these guys are camping out.
What are the signs of a silverfish infestation?
Like many pests, silverfish will leave signs of their arrival. Not only are they fast, but due to their glowing appearance, you are sure to notice one scurrying around if you are in the right place.
The signs of a silverfish infestation include:
- Droppings: Droppings are usually the most noticeable sign of an infestation. Their feces are small and black in appearance and are round like peppercorns.
- Small holes: Look for small holes in your books, food containers, and fabric.
- Dead skin: Silverfish will often shed their skin, which will appear small and fragile.
- Yellow stains: You may also notice yellow staining on items throughout the house. They will leave this dust behind on books, boxes, and paper.
Are silverfish dangerous?
Luckily, silverfish are not harmful, nor do they carry disease. While you are not putting your health at risk, dealing with a pest infestation can be a nuisance to your personal belongings. You’ll want to take action before they destroy everything in their path, including irreplaceable memories and expensive clothing.
Need Help? Call The Professionals
We’ve given you many tools to evict and prevent these undesirable pests, but if you want to ensure they never return, call a professional pest treatment company. Here at Anti-Pesto Bug Killers, we back our service with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and offer same-day service for pest control when you call us before noon, Monday through Friday.
We are a small, locally-owned business in the Tampa Bay area, and we pride ourselves on fast, reliable services. Our goal is to establish a trustworthy relationship with you and come to the rescue. Our technicians are experienced in getting rid of bed bugs, silverfish, spiders, and other common pests in the Florida area. If you’re ready to experience pest-free living, call us at (727) 524-6333!
