Silverfish are usually considered nuisance pests. They aren’t dangerous like rats or cockroaches, nor are they catastrophically destructive like termites. However, that does not mean they shouldn't be included in your Lewisville pest control plan. These little silver insects might not spread disease or knock your house down around you, but they can still do some damage.
What Is A Silverfish?
Silverfish get their name from their silvery coloring and the fact that they resemble little fish swimming around your house. These insects are tapered from head to tail and even have elongated tails on their abdomens that look a bit like fins. Their segmented bodies also make them look like tiny shrimp. While the unique shape of a silverfish can make it hard to tell that these little bugs are actually insects, they do have six legs and three body parts which are both defining features of an insect.
Why You Don't Want Silverfish In Your House
Silverfish are small and pretty innocuous, so you might think you can just let a silverfish infestation go on without worrying too much about it. Since silverfish don't carry diseases like cockroaches or rodents do, letting an infestation go might not be that bad of an idea if it weren't for the silverfish diet.
Silverfish will eat anything with starch in it, and when we say anything, we do mean anything. Silverfish might stick with the flour or cornstarch in your pantry, or they might decide to go a more unconventional route. Silverfish have been known to eat just about anything, from natural fibers in clothing to books, certain organic glues, and even wallpaper.
Silverfish can destroy your clothes and may also ruin irreplaceable items like book collections. In fact, silverfish damage is often mistaken as moth damage since these pests target similar items. These pests might not be able to cause costly damage to your house, but they can certainly damage the items inside your home. This is why silverfish prevention is so important.
Five Naturally Effective Silverfish Prevention Tips
Avoiding an infestation of silverfish in your house doesn't have to be a hassle, and it certainly doesn't have to involve major lifestyle overhauls. All you have to do is make a few easy lifestyle changes, such as:
- Make sure all indoor and outdoor garbage cans are covered at all times.
- Store pantry foods in airtight containers, especially those containing starch.
- Store any clothing with natural fibers in vacuum-sealed containers if it won't be used for long periods.
- Seal cracks and holes in your home's exterior to make it harder for silverfish to enter.
- Repair moisture issues like condensation or leaky plumbing.
The last item on this list is particularly important because silverfish need a lot of moisture to survive. If you deny them that, they will be more likely to move on.
What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Silverfish?
If you only see a single silverfish in your home every once in a while, this is fairly normal, and you may be able to get away with using a couple of sticky traps to deal with the problem. However, if you’re encountering silverfish in your home on a regular basis, this is a sign that you have a serious infestation and need more substantial silverfish control methods.
To get rid of your silverfish problem for good, call Adams Exterminating Company for assistance. We have the tools and techniques needed to eliminate your entire silverfish infestation and protect your irreplaceable items from silverfish damage. To learn more about our Lewisville pest control options for silverfish or schedule a treatment, give us a call or visit our contact page today.