If you’ve noticed little silver insects moving around your Fresno, CA house in a fish-like manner, you may be asking how to get rid of silverfish. The majority of us can recall the first time we saw this nasty crawlies crawling around. When these prehistoric-looking insects invade your area, you’ll need every weapon at your disposal to get rid of them.
What Are Silverfish?
Fishmoth, carpet shark insect, or urban silverfish are all names for silverfish (Lepisma saccharina). Their popular name is derived from the silvery metallic hue of their bodies and the way they move. Their motions are similar to fish’s side-to-side movements. These nocturnal pests are one-third to one-half inch long and have three caudal segments projecting from the posterior section of their abdomen, which is a wonderful method to distinguish them.
Are Silverfish Harmful?
If you have a silverfish infestation, they have chewing mouthparts and are known to gnaw on household things. Silverfish may eat valuable documents, papers, pet food, storage boxes and commodities, and even clothing, chewing holes in them. Silverfish might be to blame if you start to see holes in your belongings. Silverfish are infamous for leaving droppings spread over your home where they hide after eating holes in your stuff, which no one wants.
Why Do I Have Silverfish?
Silverfish will find a lot to like in your house. Silverfish, like many insects, go indoors in quest of food, water, and refuge. They may choose to lay their eggs in your home’s dark, wet regions. Some factors are more likely to attract these pests to your home:
- Cardboard boxes
- Humidity in rooms
- Household paper and debris for feeding
- Moist leaf piles
- Piles of wood or construction materials
- Heavily weeded areas
- Clogged or broken gutters
- Leaky spigots
- Objects that prevent the ground from drying
- Mulch
A silverfish sighting is an emergency if you are a book or document collector. They have the ability to ruin valuable artifacts including book collections, old apparel, and antiques. They are drawn to materials such as paper, glue, and textiles. They leave light gray to black stains, as well as their scales and waste when they eat on your antique silk shirt or valued collection of rare books. Worse, as they feed, they make holes. If you have a precious, irreplaceable collection in your house, you can’t afford to ignore a silverfish infestation. To safeguard your beautiful, precious collection, contact a pest control professional right away.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish
These strange-looking bugs might make you panic as you try to get rid of them. Homeowners may be tempted to create their own traps for tiny infestations. However, these methods are seldom as efficient as professional pest treatment, which employs skilled specialists who utilize professional-grade solutions. This is why silverfish infestations frequently need the services of a professional to thoroughly eliminate and prevent a recurrence.
Silverfish Prevention Tips
Follow these tips to prevent a silverfish infestation:
- Close any gaps. Silverfish infest your interior areas after entering through cracks, holes, or gaps in the exterior of your property. It’s critical to close these gaps if you want to get rid of silverfish.
- Food that is dry should be sealed. Silverfish can’t stand the wrapping that many foods come in. To keep pests out of your food, store it in sealed plastic or metal containers.
- Clean up any food spills. Any food particles, including crumbs, spills, and stains, provide a delectable diet for these unpleasant bugs.
- Make use of a HEPA vacuum. Silverfish eggs should be caught by vacuuming on a regular basis, limiting their capacity to multiply. Silverfish may even be vacuumed up to get them out of your house. Vacuuming also eliminates possible food sources. Dust on a regular basis. Silverfish devour saccharides and starches, which may be found in the air and on surfaces in your home.
- Adhesive can be used to get rid of objects. Silverfish are attracted to adhesives like glue, which can be found on paper, cardboard boxes, and other materials in your house. Remove these objects as much as feasible. Invest in a dehumidifier. Get a dehumidifier and operate it in a damp section of your home, such as a basement or laundry room, to remove moisture from the air.
- Clothing that is no longer in use should be stored. Silverfish may hide in dark spots on clothing, causing harm to materials. Off-season apparel should be stored in sealed containers that are out of reach of these pests.
- Repair any leaks. Silverfish, for example, are drawn to wetness in your house. To eliminate moisture sources, repair any leaky pipes or appliances.
- Plant debris should be removed. Clear any mounds of dead plant debris around your house, such as brush, wood, and leaves.
- Warm, damp spaces should be ventilated. To keep moisture from gathering in your kitchen and bathroom, you’ll need appropriate ventilation. In these areas, keep windows and doors open whenever feasible.
Pest Control Services for Silverfish
Whether you’re allergic to silverfish, are grossed out by them, or have a valuable collection to safeguard, a silverfish infestation must be dealt with swiftly and properly. Our trained and professional silverfish exterminators can devise a precise, multi-pronged strategy for eradicating these pests. Our professionals are trained in all of the newest silverfish-eradication procedures and solutions, and they would be pleased to answer your questions and assist you in getting rid of these pests. Most importantly, we provide free inspections. Call Official Pest Prevention immediately to reclaim your house.
