Finding bugs crawling around your home can be worrisome. One pest you’ll want to be on the lookout for is the silverfish. While these pests are more of a nuisance than a threat, they still can cause problems in your home. Check out why you don’t want silverfish invading your house.
They Damage Household Items
When silverfish enter homes, they have to find something eat. Unfortunately, many household items can be tasty treats for these pests. Silverfish feed on paper products, glue, and fabric. They can chew holes in books, photographs, wallpaper, clothes, and bedding. If you’re dealing with a large infestation, damage can be extensive.
They Contaminate Food
Though these pests have no problem snacking on your favorite book, they also like to eat items in your pantry and kitchen. Silverfish prefer carbohydrates and proteins. Flour, oats, and dried meats are just a few things these pests will eat. They may even eat your pet’s food. If these pests infest food packages, they can contaminate it and make it inedible.
They Leave Behind Stains & Skin
When silverfish infest homes, they sometimes make a mess. These pests can cause yellow stains on your belongings, walls, and floors. You may also notice their skin and scales. When silverfish nymphs molt, they shed their skin. They can leave behind droppings too, which are small, black, and round.
They Are a Sign of Another Problem
Silverfish need to stay in a moist and humid environment. If these pests are in your home, it means they’ve found a source of water. Things like a leaking pipe or dripping faucet can be enough to attract silverfish, but it could also be a bigger water problem. While silverfish can’t be blamed for moisture build-up, their presence can be a warning sign of significant water damage.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish
To prevent and control a silverfish problem, you’ll want to make your home as uninviting to these pests as possible. Check out a few tips to keep silverfish away from your home.
- Seal Entry Points: Take time to examine your home for cracks or holes where silverfish can slip inside. Seal these with caulk or steel wool. Repair or replace damaged screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps.
- Minimize Moisture: Check for and repair leaky pipes and faucets. Make sure your drains are working properly so water doesn’t accumulate. Eliminate standing water in your yard. If there are areas in your home that are prone to moisture build-up, consider using a dehumidifier.
- Remove Food Sources: Clean up crumbs to avoid attracting silverfish. These pests can chew through boxes, so transfer pantry items into sealed containers. Pick up your pet’s food bowl when they aren’t eating.
- Declutter: Clean up piles of paper and clothes. Store items in plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes. Make sure your pictures and books aren’t kept in places where silverfish like to visit including basements, attics, and garages.
- Remove Outdoor Harborage Sites: If silverfish are attracted to your yard, they are just a few steps away from your house. Remove yard debris and trim overgrown vegetation.
- Use a Plant-Based Insecticide Spray: Our Home Bug Spray kills silverfish and other pests on contact. It also provides you with residual repellency, helping to create a barrier that will keep pests out.
- Use a Bait: Our Roach Killer Gel Bait can help to control silverfish. It is designed to attract and kill these pests. You can place the bait in areas of your home where you have seen silverfish.
Silverfish aren’t the greatest guests to have in your home. They eat your belongings and food, and they don’t clean up after themselves. Bug-proofing your home can help keep these creepy crawlies away. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we have your back! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.