Texas may be known for football, barbecue, and all things “big.” However, when it comes to “big” things, one of the smallest things can pose the biggest threat to the Texas population, silverfish.

Silverfish may be the creepiest of all insect infestations in Frisco, Texas, second to cockroaches. They're also sneaky little critters, doing most of their digging at night. As a nocturnal pest, they will spend the day hiding or resting in your home's tight cracks or crevices. While sleeping, silverfish will emerge from the shadows to feed on your books, wallpaper, and clothes, destroying them with their excrement.

The good news is that silverfish don’t have to be a never-ending problem. Things like eliminating water (moisture) and food sources in your home will make your home unappealing to them. However, without total eradicating their population in your home, the infestation will likely spread and grow bigger.

All-Safe Pest & Termite are your local Frisco pest control experts, and we know all there is to know about silverfish. From their ideal living conditions and hiding places to their food sources, we have all the tools, products, and expertise to rid your home of these tiny pests.

What Is This Little Silver Bug?

Silverfish are one of the world's most common pests. Even though their scientific name is Lepisma saccharinum, they are also known as bristletails or paper fish. They are voracious eaters that survive on carbohydrate-rich foods. They are particularly fond of paper and will devour boxes, books, and other household items.

Silverfish in Frisco are approximately 0.5 to 1 inch long and can live up to eight years. These insects have silver or gray bodies covered in tiny scales compared to fish because of their appearance. The body has three long, bristle-covered appendages at the back and is broadest at the head before narrowing down. One of the appendages extends straight from the end of the body, while the other two extend at right angles from the left and left sides of the torso. The insects are nocturnal and seldom seen during the day.

If you’re seeing these creepy little metallic pests in your Frisco home, there’s no need to panic, but you also don’t need to delay contacting All-Safe Pest & Termite for effective removal.

The Issue With Silverfish Creeping Around Your Home

When it comes to household pests, there are four main types. Cockroaches and rodents are examples of pests that pose health risks. Termites and carpenter ants devastate homes. Beetles and weevils are pests that do not spread disease but can contaminate food. Some pests cause damage to our possessions, like silverfish. However, silverfish fall into all but one of these categories: spreading disease. Because there is no concrete evidence directly linking silverfish with illness, here are some issues that come with silverfish hanging around your home:

• 
  Silverfish destroy homes: Even though silverfish don't eat a house's wood or compromise its structural integrity like termites, carpenter bees and ants, and other wood borers do, they can still cause damage. These insects eat the starches found in wallpaper. Over time, they can cause enough damage to make you want to downsize a room or two.
• Silverfish contaminate food: Silverfish will find numerous items in your kitchen and pantry appealing. Because they chew on paper, these tiny bugs can quickly and easily get into many packages our food comes in. Flour, sugar, and rolled oats are among the foods they target. To protect your food, properly storing them in airtight glass or plastic containers will be most effective.
• Silverfish destroy our personal belongings: This is the important one. Silverfish can make a meal out of just about anything in your home. Some of them may even surprise you. They chew on books and magazines, especially if stored in a damp area of the house. If you have tapestries, you may notice some holes. They can be found in the bathroom nibbling on toothpaste. If you have a wedding gown passed down from generation to generation, you should store it in a garment bag. Silverfish feed on many natural fabrics such as silk, linen, and cotton, but synthetic fiber glues and starches used to press clothing can also be appealing. You should relocate your clothes if you see silverfish in your closets or dresser drawers. Store essential documents in hard plastic sleeves or containers. 

The lifespan of silverfish is an issue that many don’t realize. Silverfish can live for up to eight years, unlike many insects that only survive the season in which they hatched. They can have many babies in your home during their eight years of life. Silverfish infestation issues will only persist if you don’t address the conditions that allow them to enter and survive inside your home. However, silverfish issues are something you don’t have to deal with alone. 

Let All-Safe Pest & Termite handle these pests for you.

Factors That Attract Silverfish Into Your Home

If you’re wondering “what attracts silverfish” or “what causes silverfish,” you’re not alone in your curiosity. It’s often a mistaken impression that silverfish are attracted to dirty homes. However, that’s not the case. Silverfish prefer moisture, so their presence in your house usually denotes moisture issues rather than dirtiness. Silverfish will thrive in even clean homes because they eat typical building and construction materials.

Nevertheless, silverfish view a home's dusty spaces as a buffet. Silverfish can typically survive on only dust because dust is primarily composed of organic residues, such as human skin and dander. The remaining silverfish in your home will satisfy their need for protein by feeding on the dead or injured silverfish as they continue to die off or become injured.

Let’s take a closer look at all the factors that bring silverfish into your Frisco home:

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  Food sources:  Silverfish, like all insects, must eat. These insects eat dried goods, such as cereal and pet food, and starchy foods, like fibers, grains, dried goods, sugars, and fabrics. The fact that silverfish naturally consume almost anything, from starches and carbohydrates to protein, contributes partly to their difficulty in removal. They consume composting plant matter, leaves, and other decomposing materials in their natural habitat. They will happily chow down on food scraps, lost pet food, and dried goods like sugar, flour, and cereal in your home.
• Ideal living conditions:  Silverfish require moisture to survive, and they will establish themselves wherever there is moisture in your house. In their natural habitats, you can find them in moist, well-protected areas like under logs and rocks or leaf piles. However, in a home setting, they typically reside behind furniture, in books, in basements, or close to sinks.  
• Hiding places: Silverfish love concealing themselves in safe spaces, such as in bookcases, behind furniture, or in damp basements. Making your home uninhabitable for silverfish will help eliminate them, but if the infestation is severe, you might need a pest control expert's assistance.
• Place to lay eggs: In your home's hidden, dark, and moist spaces, silverfish lay their eggs. Silverfish eggs are bulbous in shape and either yellow or white.

These factors are the primary attractants that bring silverfish to your Frisco home. Eliminating these factors will make your home less appealing to these pests. However, if you already have a silverfish infestation, your prevention efforts will prove ineffective until all silverfish in your house are gone. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite to stop silverfish from taking over your home.

How Can I Stop Silverfish From Getting Into My Home?

Silverfish are a nuisance pest that many attempt to eradicate using do-it-yourself (D.I.Y.) techniques, such as essential oils or diatomaceous earth. However, these approaches frequently fail and ultimately lead to frustration. Silverfish are very good at hiding, making them challenging to eliminate without professional expertise. Since these pests can survive for extended periods without food or water, it's crucial to completely eradicate them from your home.

You won't have to worry about these pests turning up in your pantry because All-Safe Pest & Termite apply effective home pest control treatments to your home. To prevent further silverfish infestations, we will also offer advice specific to your home, including suggestions for reducing moisture. When it comes to silverfish, we know what it takes to eliminate these annoyances permanently.

Don't struggle any longer if silverfish are a problem for you. Make an appointment with All-Safe Pest & Termite immediately, and we'll handle everything. After offering a free estimate, we will work with you to develop a silverfish control strategy that suits your needs and budget.

Don't hesitate to call us if you see actual silverfish in your home or recognize signs of their presence. It’s always better to stop these tiny pests before they become a problem in the future.

I have been with them for several years. They are always responsive if any issues arise, and are completely on top of our quarterly treatments. I love it, because I don’t have…

Joanna P.

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