When it comes to unwelcomed guests in your home, there are some insects that reign supreme on the cringy scale, like silverfish! This is why silverfish control is so important.
These slippery alien-looking creatures look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie scene. Although silverfish are relatively small, they still know how to make your skin crawl when you spot them in and around your home. So, if you have the misfortune of housing these creepy critters, you’ll want to act fast.
Apart from their fish-like movements and eerie appearance, silverfish can live for up to eight years and reproduce several times. This means your home could be a breeding ground for almost a decade – gross! Still, although they do not pose a risk to humans through biting or spreading disease, they can cause damage to your belongings, especially when you have all of their favourite snacks readily available!
Last on the list of their bad reputation is their likelihood of attracting other insects into your home, like carpet beetles, and triggering allergies. As if having them destroy your favourite book isn’t bad enough!
But, not all hope is lost when you find these hair-raising slitherers in your home; there are many things you can do to get rid of them and prevent reinfestation. So, continue reading below to learn how to banish them for good.
How To Prevent A Silverish Infestation.
The best tool in your silverfish control efforts is prevention. It takes a lot less work to stop silverfish from invading your home than it does trying to exterminate them, so it truly pays off to put prevention first:
- Seal food in airtight containers. Silverfish can go extended periods of time without food, but that doesn’t mean you can leave food lying around. These insects are particularly fond of starchy foods, such as flour, cereal and pet food.
- Clear clutter. Books and magazines should be put on a shelf away from humidity, and other paper-based items should be stored in an airtight container rather than cardboard boxes. In addition, you should clear gutters of debris to direct water away from your home and remove damp refuse from your property.
- Use more plastic. Storage solutions are primarily made of plastic, but you’ll be surprised at how much cardboard you have in your home when you start looking for it! So, toss the cardboard and use plastic containers to protect your belongings from silverfish.
- Dehumidify damp areas. Poorly ventilated bathrooms and basements are a major attraction for silverfish, so consider running a dehumidifier in these areas and repairing any leaking pipes that may be contributing to dampness.
How To Free Your Home From Silverfish.
There are two primary solutions to eradicating a silverfish infestation – one you can do yourself and one using professional assistance. Since silverfish are not at all a threat to humans, you may not feel an urgency to seek exterminator services. However, they may be necessary when the infestation goes beyond the capabilities of DIY efforts.
First, head over to your local home improvements store and purchase diatomaceous earth. This powder proves highly effective in killing pests around your home, and silverfish are no exception. When they encounter the substance, it deteriorates their outer counting, causing them to lose moisture and eventually die. So long as you use a food-grade option, you can confidently sprinkle it around the areas of your home where you have seen the insects lurking without posing a threat to your pets.
If you still notice silverfish activity in your home after applying this treatment, you will need to seek professional silverfish control services.
A pest control specialist can identify high-activity areas and recommend changes that may help keep silverfish away from your home. With their help and expertise, you can rest assured your home will be silverfish free!
Get in touch with Old Island Pest Control and request a quote today!