There are a wide variety of pests in Dallas, Texas that you could wind up dealing with in or around your home. While you’re likely familiar with many of these pests such as rodents, spiders, flies, and cockroaches, there are others you might not worry about as much. One of these is the silverfish.
With all pests, the first question most homeowners ask is whether or not it is dangerous. Luckily, these insects aren’t dangerous to humans or pets, and they are mostly considered nuisance pests. While silverfish do have a very strange appearance, they aren’t known to transmit any diseases to people, and they also don’t cause any significant allergies or asthma issues. Silverfish can’t sting or bite you either.
However, just because silverfish aren’t dangerous doesn’t mean you want them around your home. They are creepy-looking, and it can be difficult to identify silverfish at first. As the name suggests, these unsettling intruders are usually a silver color although they can also be brown. They have oval-shaped bodies that taper off towards the end as well as long antennae and feelers at the ends of their bodies.
Why And How Do Silverfish Enter Homes?
The main reason silverfish are attracted to a property is because of moisture issues. They prefer a humid environment, so excess humidity in or around your home can be attractive to them. Once inside, they will eat things like starches, flour, cardboard, book bindings, and even meat. So, while they aren’t dangerous, they can do some amount of property damage. Generally, this damage is minimal, but anything that they have chewed on should be considered contaminated.
While silverfish are mainly attracted to a house because of humidity, the other thing to worry about is entry points. These pests need to be able to easily get inside, and there are a variety of places they can slip through. So, to prevent silverfish, you should focus on reducing or removing humidity followed by sealing up access points.
Seven Silverfish Prevention Tips
It’s always easier to deal with pests by preventing an infestation than it is to remove one. So, we’ve put together a list of seven of the simplest and most effective silverfish prevention measures to take around your Dallas home. Here is what you should do:
- Correct excess moisture problems by fixing any leaky pipes or faucets.
- You can also use dehumidifiers in, especially humid rooms.
- Make sure that your home has good ventilation with a focus on checking the ventilation in attics, crawl spaces, and basements.
- Remove entry points by fixing or replacing broken screens.
- Seal up any holes or cracks in the walls and foundation using caulk and foam.
- Place door sweeps and weather stripping around the building.
- Contact pest control experts for reliable silverfish control.
How To Keep Silverfish Out For Good
Of all the silverfish prevention steps you can follow, the most effective by far is to get residential pest control assistance. The professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite have over 30 years of experience handling pest issues in Dallas and the surrounding areas. We can provide ongoing help with silverfish prevention and are also able to quickly remove any existing infestations.
We make it easy to get started by providing free estimates. Request your estimate today by sending us a message online or calling us at (972) 945-9226. We can’t wait to help you have a pest-free home!