Although not every single home-invading pest poses threats to humans, that doesn’t mean we want them coming into our homes. One such pest that fits this bill is the silverfish. Silverfish are wriggly little pests that are largely considered to be nuisances. However, they can be unsightly, they can cause damage to our property, and we simply just don’t want them inside of our homes. As such, you need to know the factors that might attract silverfish inside in the first place. That way you can take the necessary measures to keep silverfish out of your Monroe home.
The Silverfish Basics
Silverfish are silver and brown pests that grow to be about ¾ of an inch long. They have elongated, teardrop-shaped bodies with six legs and large antennae. Silverfish get their name from the silvery, metallic-looking scales that they have on their bodies and the fact that many people think they look like wriggling fish. Silverfish are fast runners and great climbers, which means they can hide quite easily if need be.
Silverfish need high moisture levels to survive. Therefore, you will most often find silverfish in areas with an abundance of moisture such as bathrooms, basements, and attics. Additionally, you may find silverfish living in stacks of paper, books, or other paper goods, as silverfish feed upon these items.
Although silverfish are considered to be nuisance pests because they do not bite or pose any health risks to humans, they can cause damage to our property if they invade our homes. Things that silverfish have been known to damage include clothing, upholstery, paper goods, books, wallpaper, dry food goods, and glue. On top of damaging property, silverfish are unsightly pests that you don’t want to see around the home. As such, you need to take the proper steps to keep them out.
Silverfish Prevention Tips
The primary factors that attract silverfish into a home are an abundance of moisture and the availability of food for them to feed upon. Therefore, if you want to keep silverfish out of your home, it is important to limit these factors as much as possible. To help prevent silverfish from infesting your home, you should:
- Use dehumidifiers to lower humidity levels in your home.
- Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures in your home.
- Replace or remove any moisture-damaged wood from inside your home.
- Store any old papers, magazines, or books in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Store dry goods such as flour, oats, and sugar in containers with tight-fitting lids.
- Inspect any old newspapers or other paper goods for silverfish before bringing them into your home.
- Keep woodpiles stored away from the exterior of your home.
If you can accomplish these simple steps you should be able to greatly limit your exposure to silverfish around your property.
For More Silverfish Control Solutions
If you have any further questions about silverfish prevention, or if you are currently dealing with a silverfish infestation in your home, contact the professionals here at Guard Pest Control for assistance. Here at Guard Pest Control, our certified pest technicians come fully equipped with all of the latest equipment, the experience, and expertise required to effectively eliminate any silverfish infestation. In addition, we will also work with you to take the proper preventive steps so that your home is better protected from any future infestations. Nobody wants to see pests scurrying all about their home, silverfish included. Give us a call today, and let us take care of any pest problems for you.