If you see a flash of silver in your bathroom at night, you could have silverfish. While these unwanted pests are mostly a nuisance, they can still cause serious damage to clothes, books, and other fabrics, and you certainly don't want them taking over your home.
Want to save yourself from the headaches silverfish bring? Read on to find out what you should know about silverfish in Allen, Texas, and steps you can take to protect yourself.
What Do Silverfish in Allen Look Like?
Silverfish aren't your typical pest. They're small and shiny pests, gray or silver in color. Without any wings, silverfish have narrow bodies. Despite not being able to fly, silverfish can move very fast. They like dark and damp places, which means that these pests don't always reveal themselves.
If you look at a silverfish up close, you might expect it to do some harm. However, silverfish pose no direct threat to humans or pets. They won’t won't bite or sting you, and they don't spread diseases or carry any venom. In rare cases, silverfish scales can cause allergic reactions, but these reactions are usually mild and only involve minor irritation of the affected area.
Why You Don't Want Silverfish
You might be unscathed in a silverfish infestation, but your belongings won't. Silverfish eat carbohydrates found in cotton, dust, and synthetic fibers. While you probably don't mind silverfish eating your dust bunnies, you won't be too happy when they chew through your tapestries or old books.
Of course, there's also the fact that you don't want silverfish keeping you from sleeping well at night. When you know that there are pests in your home, it can be hard to sleep. As always when it comes to pests, your best bet is to take steps to keep silverfish out so that you don’t have to deal with the problems they bring inside with them.
Silverfish Prevention
To keep silverfish from taking over your home, you need to take action. All of the following steps may deter silverfish:
- Reduce Moisture: By reducing moisture in your home, you can make your property less appealing to silverfish. If you have any leaky plumbing fixtures, repair them. Likewise, use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your bathroom and basement. When there's not enough moisture, there are no silverfish.
- Keep Food Sealed: Store all of your dry food in tightly-sealed containers. Otherwise, the food could become moist and attract silverfish. As an added benefit, since crumbs are a universal attractant when it comes to pests, storing your food with care keeps other pests away.
- Dust Frequently: No matter what you do, dust will accumulate over time in your home. Because silverfish eat dust, your best bet is to dust your home frequently. Make sure to get your ceiling fans, under beds, and other often ignored areas.
- Remove Adhesive Items: Silverfish are attracted to items with adhesive on them. For instance, your books and cardboard boxes might have some sticky glue on them. Although that glue doesn't do anything for you, it will be food for silverfish. You may need a residential pest control technician if you don't throw away items with adhesive on them.
- Store Clothes In Dry Places: When clothes get wet, they attract silverfish. If you want to protect your home, you should store your clothes with care. Open garbage bags or cardboard boxes won't protect your clothes from moisture or silverfish, so keep them in sealed, plastic totes instead.
- Clean Food From Your Floors And Counters: After you eat a meal, take the time to clean off your table, counters, and floor. If crumbs remain, they attract pests.
- Use A Vacuum With A HEPA Filter: When you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you can suck up silverfish eggs. Without the filter, your vacuum won't be very effective.
- Using Professional Control: Silverfish enter your home in search of food and moisture. Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to keep these pests away on your own. Most homeowners simply aren’t don’t have the tools and training necessary to get rid of a silverfish infestation on their own. For the best results, you need professional help.
Don’t leave your home at risk for the damages silverfish bring. When these problem pests invade, don’t wait: contact us at Adam's Exterminating Company or total silverfish control. Call us today and find out why a professional pest treatment is exactly what you need to protect your Allen home for the future.