With tear-shaped bodies, long antennae, and three bristle-like appendages that protrude from their backs, silverfish are an easy pest to recognize by appearance – although they can sometimes be mistaken for venomous centipedes. While they have silver-gray scales that cover their bodies, silverfish aren’t looking to swim. These critters prefer to crawl on land in a fish-like manner.

You’re most likely to find these pests infesting your attics, basements, laundry rooms, and anywhere else in your home that’s dark and humid. They’re drawn to moisture and humidity, so homes that have moisture issues tend to lure silverfish inside.

Finding silverfish in your Houston home can be a shock, especially if you’ve never dealt with them before. Here’s what you should know about the dangers associated with silverfish, how you can prevent them in your home, and what to do if you’ve got an active silverfish infestation.

Are Silverfish Dangerous?

While silverfish may be one of the uglier pests to invade your home, they’re far from the most dangerous. Despite their unsightly appearance, silverfish don’t pose any health threats to you or your family. These critters aren’t known to bite or be aggressive, and they aren’t associated with any diseases or bacteria. Most of the time, silverfish prefer to stay out of sight, and if they sense your presence, they will try to flee.

However, having silverfish in your home isn’t completely harmless. These critters may not pose a threat to you, but they can wreak havoc on your property and personal belongings. A silverfish’s diet is made up of starch and polysaccharides, which means they’ll eat anything from cereal and glue to book bindings, wallpaper, and even your photos.

If a silverfish infestation goes untreated for long enough, these pests can cause permanent damage. They may contaminate food sources, chew through your favorite books, stain clothing, and even ruin priceless photos.

How To Prevent Silverfish In Houston, TX

They may not be the most dangerous pest, but silverfish are one of the trickiest to prevent. Here’s a couple of tips to reduce the risk of drawing silverfish into your Houston home.

• Identify and seal any potential entry-points: Silverfish can get into your home in a multitude of ways, but torn window screens, foundation cracks, and other tiny holes can all serve as easy entrances. Once you’ve identified any open cracks in your home, you can use a sealant like caulk to block off the gaps. You’ll also want to replace any torn or ripped window and door screens.

• Inspect secondhand items before you bring them inside: In some cases, silverfish can get into your home because they’re already hiding in an item you’ve brought in – like an old stack of books or cardboard boxes. If you’re purchasing items used or secondhand, it’s always a good idea to inspect the materials for silverfish and other pests before they’re brought inside your house.

• Address any moisture issues in your home: Silverfish are naturally drawn into homes with more moisture, so if you’ve got leaky faucets or drainage problems, you should address them as soon as possible.

• Get a dehumidifier: Even if you don’t have a major moisture problem, humid rooms, like basements or garages, can still be a silverfish attraction. Adding a dehumidifier to humid areas can help.

• Declutter storage areas frequently: Silverfish infestations may go untreated for longer periods of time if you’ve got enough clutter for them to feed on and hide inside. Decluttering storage areas on a regular basis can deter silverfish but also catch problems before they spiral out of control.

How To Handle Silverfish In Houston, TX

While the steps above can help deter silverfish problems, they’re not always enough to deal with an existing problem. Silverfish are great at hiding in dark, secluded areas where you may not notice them, which means they’re tricky to eliminate from your home completely.

Fortunately, there is a way to stop silverfish infestations in their tracks – and that’s with help from those of us at All-Safe Pest & Termite. We’ve been serving the Houston area for several years, and we can provide effective, eco-friendly treatments to rid your home of silverfish. If you think you’ve got a problem with these critters, don’t wait any longer for them to destroy your personal belongings – contact us at All-Safe Pest & Termite today for total silverfish control.

Had my initial setup and install today, and everything went very well! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Feel so much better after making the switch to All-Safe!!

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