You’ve probably seen silverfish in your home before. They are very common and they are harmless insects, but they can infest your home. These shiny silver insects have antennae and fine, fish-like scales covering their bodies. Adults are usually about ¾ inch long with two antennae and 3 tail projections.
Once female silverfish reach adulthood, they lay eggs constantly in voids around your home. Their eggs hatch within three weeks. Silverfish reach the adult stage within four to six weeks. This means an infestation in your home can happen fast. But don’t worry, Modern can help!
Are silverfish harmful?
Silverfish are nuisance pests. They won’t bite you or cause illness, but they can contaminate food by leaving their waste behind in it. They can also damage your home and items within it by chewing and eating things like linens, paper, and the glue in wallpaper, book bindings, carpet, curtains, and furniture coverings. Their feces also causes stains.
Seeing silverfish? Call Modern today at 800-323-7378!
Where should you look for silverfish in your home?
Homeowners can check for a silverfish problem by inspecting areas with high humidity and low light, such as basements, kitchens, and bathrooms, where silverfish often thrive. Additionally, they should check in dark, undisturbed spaces like closets and storage areas where silverfish typically hide. Infested materials may also exhibit yellow stains, scales, or feces, which are characterized by tiny black, pepper-like pellets.
What are silverfish attracted to?
Silverfish are attracted to items in the home that contain starches, sugars, and cellulose. This includes paper, cardboard, wallpaper, books, cereals, grains, and clothing. Homeowners should be particularly vigilant in safeguarding these items, as they are attractive to silverfish and may serve as a food source or nesting material.
How can you prevent a silverfish problem?
To prevent silverfish problems, homeowners can reduce humidity levels in their homes by using dehumidifiers and fixing any plumbing leaks. Regular cleaning, decluttering, sealing cracks and gaps around windows, doors, and the foundation can help inhibit these pests (and others) from entering the home. They should also store food items in airtight containers and keep their homes clean, especially in hard-to-reach spaces where silverfish can hide.
Don’t wait for an infestation. Call Modern at 800-323-7378!
How can you get rid of silverfish?
Homeowners can get rid of silverfish by using traps, such as glue traps or jars with a starchy bait inside, to capture them. Additionally, they can apply diatomaceous earth in areas frequented by silverfish, which act as desiccants and effectively dehydrate the pests. Regular cleaning and decluttering also help eliminate hiding spots and reduce the silverfish population. Alternatively, they can hire a professional pest control service like Modern Pest for more extensive and long-term silverfish eradication.
The Modern Solution
Modern’s Homecare Green service protects against over 55 common household pests, including silverfish, mice, wasps, flies, and carpenter ants. Don’t let a silverfish infestation happen in your home, call Modern today and protect your home from seasonal pests year-round.