What Are Silverfish? Are They Harmful?
If you’ve ever cracked open an old book only to be greeted by a tiny, gray-colored, centipede-looking insect, you’ve likely encountered a silverfish bug. These teardrop-shaped creepy crawlers are responsible for quite a lot more than just a few scares. Silverfish are infamous for their love of paper and damp clothing, costing home and business owners thousands of dollars in property damage each year.
Learn more about these pesky bugs, where they come from, and what harm they pose to humans. Think you have a silverfish infestation? Contact Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc., right away to schedule a pest inspection.
Silverfish Are Not Harmful To Humans
Despite their gross appearance, silverfish are generally harmless to humans. They are not poisonous, nor do they bite. Silverfish are also not known to carry any pathogens that may cause disease in humans or pets.
That being said, they can trigger allergic reactions in some people. Like many other insects, silverfish shed their skin in a process called molting. When doing so, these bugs leave behind scales, which eventually turn into dust and other known allergens.
Silverfish Cause Property Damage
While silverfish do not pose a direct threat to human health, they can still wreak havoc for families and businesses in the form of property damage. Silverfish can be voracious eaters and the fact that they are nocturnal creatures makes them less likely to be spotted right away.
So, what do silverfish eat? Their diet consists mainly of sugars and carbohydrates, so they’ll chow down on everything from dried goods and paper to damp clothes and even your wallpaper. Silverfish may also sometimes eat fallen human hair. If you notice damages to any of these items around your home, contact a pest control company right away!
How To Prevent A Silverfish Infestation
Unfortunately, silverfish are a very common pest in large part due to how fast they reproduce. One species can lay as much as 20 eggs a day! Their flat bodies and crawling abilities also make them incredible hiders, making spotting an infestation all the more difficult.
Many infestations begin when someone unknowingly brings in silverfish-infested cardboard boxes or plastic containers. By the time someone spots a rogue silverfish near the bathroom sink or bathtub, there could be thousands of silverfish inside the house.
The good news is that prevention is possible. The best way to prevent a silverfish infestation is to make your home less attractive to them. So, what attracts silverfish? Mostly foods in open containers and high humidity.
Keep the following in mind to prevent the spread of silverfish.
- Open vents in crawl spaces
- Use baseboards with caulking in your basement
- Store dry goods and pet foods in airtight containers
- Vacuum carpets, flooring, and upholstery regularly to help remove fallen food crumbs
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas (including basements)
- Line dirt floors in crawl spaces or unfinished basements with plastic sheeting to help control moisture
- install ridge vents in your roof to allow humidity to escape
- Keep all gutters clean to help ensure water drains away from your home
- Make sure the outside of your home is caulked and well painted
- Seal any open areas, such as seams between walls and ceilings, cracks under and behind baseboards, windows, and trim
How To Get Rid Of Silverfish
Given the speed in which they reproduce, silverfish are a tough pest to exterminate. Even worse, most traps and insecticides available in stores will only kill individual insects, not an entire infestation. The good news is that extermination is possible with professional help.
Our pest control experts at Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc., have ample experience dealing with all types of pests, including silverfish. Contact us today to learn more about our wide range of pest control services.
