Most insects and creatures are unsightly, gross, and aggravating. People naturally don’t want to be anywhere near them, much less study them. However, a little bit of research is needed if you want to know how to keep them out of your Houston home. There’s plenty of information or word of mouth about prevalent critters, but tips for less frequent invaders are scattered. Folks aren’t so well-versed on bugs like silverfish.
Property owners typically don’t know how to deal with silverfish. It’s not always obvious how they’ve gotten indoors or what made them intrude in the first place. What’s necessary to fend them off or eliminate them is just as unclear. The same goes for their possible dangers. Learn more about silverfish and how All-Safe Pest & Termite can tackle them.
How Do Silverfish Operate? What Are the Dangers?
Like many other pests, silverfish are ugly and frightening to look at. They are 0.75 of an inch long and have metallic skin. Their carrot-shaped bodies are white, blue-silver, or brownish-gray. At the top of their heads are two antennas, while the back has three long appendages that stick out. Able to run very quickly, they have six legs.
Silverfish come into domiciles and establishments through crevices around foundations, doors, and windows. These critters tend to gravitate to dark areas with any moisture and humidity. You can anticipate seeing them in:
- Attics
- Garages
- Basements
- Sheds
- Boxes
- Storage containers
- Kitchens
- Bathrooms
Your personal effects will be damaged by silverfish. They usually fixate on carbohydrates, fabrics, and paper materials. Food with starch, sugar, or grains will certainly be targeted. Pantry goods and cereal in particular. You might find holes in upholstered furniture, clothing, towels, and similar. Documents and books are liable to be torn up. It seems that these bugs don’t limit themselves, as they’ll also go after cellulose shampoo, glue, wallpaper, and other random items.
Any plans to catch silverfish or get ahead of them will be futile. They are active at night and stay mostly out of plain view. Killing them is not a simple task. With signs of infestation, it’s easy to mistakenly blame another culprit for their wreckage. Besides spotting them in broad daylight, coming across their fecal matter is an indication of a takeover. They leave peppery grains on surfaces. Don’t touch them with your naked hands; allergic reactions and skin irritation are known to happen. Another issue is that silverfish magnetize other pests, such as carpet beetles.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Silverfish?
People don’t need much convincing to build a deterrence defense against silverfish. They won’t harm humans or risk their health, but they will cause a headache. Perform the following tasks to discourage these pests:
- Make sure wet clothes are put in the dryer promptly.
- Have moisture malfunctions and leaks fixed immediately.
- Keep crawlspace vents open at all times.
- Regulate warmth by using a dehumidifier.
- Seal gaps in baseboards, windows, doors, and foundations.
- Inspect packages, boxes, and storage items before pulling them indoors.
- Remove garbage and wash the dishes regularly.
- Store food and trash in airtight canisters.
How Will All-Safe Pest & Termite Handle Silverfish?
Retail insecticides will only let you down if you depend on them to eradicate silverfish. One reason is that most shelf goods are intended for temporary use. A few bugs will die, but you’ll still have an infestation. They are a waste of money. Being made of chemicals, they can also be hazardous. We at All-Safe Pest & Termite have controlled, industrial-grade treatments that are safe. Our expert technicians will address problems with care. Call today for a free estimate and get started on our effective home pest control.