Finding any insect in your house can leave you feeling like your home is unsafe. Though some pests can do serious damage to your property and threaten your well-being, others, like silverfish, are relatively harmless.
But even harmless insects shouldn't take up residence in your home. The Laredo pest control experts at EnviroGuard are here to help. Let's look at how you can tell if you have a silverfish problem, what kinds of damage they cause, and how you can get rid of them once and for all.
How To Identify A Silverfish
Silverfish have a very distinct appearance. They're typically silver in color, but some types of silverfish can be brown but still have a metallic appearance. Their bodies are fish-shaped and have three long bristles on their rear end. These bristles sort of look like stingers, but they're completely harmless. If you touch one, the bristles won't hurt you.
Most silverfish are relatively small, growing between 1/4 and 1/2 an inch long. People often see them running along the floor or notice them on bookshelves or furniture. Silverfish also love areas with high levels of humidity. You may find both adult silverfish and silverfish eggs in dark cabinets, corners of the room, and basements where humidity levels are higher.
Why You Don't Want Silverfish In Your House
Even though silverfish won't hurt you or cause extensive damage to your home, they're still annoying and can have a negative impact on your life. These insects feed on paper, glue, upholstery, and clothing alike.
As they feed, they chew holes in whatever they're munching on; this can ruin your wardrobe, damage books and important documents, and leave your furniture looking less than pristine. They can also end up in your food containers if you don't seal them properly.
Though they can't hurt you and likely won't completely destroy whatever they're feeding on, letting them go unchecked puts your personal items at risk.
How And Why Silverfish Find Their Way Into Your Home
Like most insects, a silverfish pest infestation happens when the insects seek comfortable shelter with reliable water sources and plenty of food. These insects tend to slip into your home through cracks in the foundation, torn window screens, or gaps and cracks around your doors and windows. Since they're so small, they can slip inside easily.
Once they're in, they start looking for food. If you have unsealed food containers in your pantry, piles of cardboard, or old and musty books, silverfish will gravitate to them. They'll also look for easy sources of water. Leaky pipes or dirty dishes soaking in the sink can be enough to draw them in.
How To Get Rid Of Silverfish And Keep Them Out
Protecting your Laredo home from silverfish is the best way to prevent silverfish damage. But there are a few things you can do to make it harder for them to get inside and thrive.
Here are a few tips to help
- Fix any leaks as soon as you find them.
- Repair any cracks, holes, or gaps in your windows and doors.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Keep old books and papers in tightly sealed containers or storage bins.
These tips will help you prevent infestations but won't do much if you already have silverfish in your home. Instead, you'll want to work with an experienced pest control specialist. At EnviroGuard, our team understands how to safely get rid of silverfish and prevent them from returning.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Laredo.