Preventing Silverfish Infestations Inside Denton Residences

You may have wondered what it is if you've seen a small, shiny silver bug crawling around your Denton home. These little bugs are known as silverfish and can be a nuisance to homeowners.

Adams Exterminating Company knows a thing or two about these problematic pests. We've provided professional pest control to homeowners in Denton and the surrounding areas since 1947. One common pest that we often get calls about is silverfish. These little silver bugs can be quite a problem, as they can damage books, wallpaper, and other fabrics.

We will discuss some helpful silverfish facts, whether they're dangerous, and how to prevent and eliminate them. We will also provide information on our silverfish pest control in Denton to help you remove these pests.

What Is This Little Silver Bug?

Silverfish are small, wingless insects named for their silvery-gray color and fish-like shape. Silverfish size is usually about half an inch long and has long antennae. Silverfish are nocturnal creatures, so they are most active at night.

Silverfish go through three main stages in their life cycle: egg, nymph, and adult. Female silverfish can lay up to 100 eggs simultaneously, and the eggs hatch within two weeks. Nymphs are baby silverfish that look like adults but are smaller and do not have fully developed wings. It takes about three months for nymphs to mature into adults. Once they become adults, silverfish can live for up to eight years, so an infestation can be pretty challenging to eliminate.

These pests usually hang out in dark and humid areas, such as basements, attics, kitchens, and bathrooms. They also like to hide in cracks and crevices. You may find them in your bookshelves or pantry, as they eat starchy materials such as book bindings, wallpaper paste, flour, and cereal.

Silverfish are not considered dangerous to humans and do not carry any diseases. However, they can be a real issue in your home for several other reasons:

• They destroy wallpaper: Although they don't bore through wood like some other pests, silverfish can damage your wallpaper by eating the paste that holds it to the wall. Over time, this can cause the wallpaper to bubble and peel.
• They eat books: Silverfish love to eat paper, and they will damage your books by eating the binding and pages; this can be a real problem for book collectors or those who have expensive books or cherished family albums.
• They damage clothing: Silverfish will also eat natural fibers such as cotton and wool. They can do much damage to your clothing, especially if they get into your closet or dresser drawers.
• They contaminate food: If silverfish get into your pantry or cupboards, they can contaminate your food. They are especially attracted to cereals, flour, and other starchy foods. If you have any foods stored in cardboard or paper containers that they can chew through, check them carefully for silverfish before eating.
• They cause allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to the proteins in silverfish saliva, which can cause rashes or other skin irritation. In severe cases, it may even cause anaphylactic shock. If you have any reaction to a silverfish, it's essential to seek medical attention immediately.

Silverfish infestations in Denton can undoubtedly be a nuisance, and in some cases, they can cause serious damage. That's why it's important to take steps to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place.

If you have any silverfish in your home, it's best to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible. At Adams Exterminating Company, we can provide effective silverfish control services to eliminate these pests. We also offer preventative services that can help keep silverfish out of your home in the future. Contact us today to learn more.