5 Things To Know About Silverfish

Silverfish, also known as bristletails or firebrats, is one of the most ancient bugs. This nuisance pest got its name from its look. They have a fish-like shape with scales, and long antennae, and their bodies wiggle when they move.

Silverfish infestations are common throughout Canada, especially in Ontario and its environs.

These wingless insects do not bite, sting, or carry harmful pathogens harmful to humans, but you do not want to live with them because they are very destructive and unpleasant.

Silverfish droppings can destroy your clothes and other household goods like sofas and carpets because they contain yellow stains that can be very hard to wash out. Their mere presence makes your home unpleasant to live in.

Get Rid of Silverfish - Silverfish Infestation & Control

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish live in moist and humid environments like basements, attics and bathrooms. A silverfish infestation is hardly noticeable during the early stages of infestation. Still, after multiplying, you will notice silverfish walking down ceiling soffits, wall voids, or through shake roofs.

For the busy lads, noticing silverfish crawl spaces can be difficult. However, for large infestations, the signs are more noticeable. Watch for irregular feeding marks like holes or notches along surface edgings in these cases.

Since silverfish love moist areas, these signs will be louder around the laundry rooms and other hidden areas. You will also start seeing tiny pellets like black feces building up in the places where silverfish are commonly found around your home.

 

 

Moreover, when you notice tattered books on your shelf with bookbinding glue or wallpaper paste missing, then it's a clear sign that your home is infested.

When you see any of these signs, you do not have to panic because there are several pest control measures that you can enact to eradicate them.

What attracts silverfish to your house

Food to eat

Simply put, what brings attracts silverfish to your home is the search for food and a good place to lay eggs. Silverfish have a wide range of food sources, including fibers, sugars, fabrics, grains, pasta and other dried goods. If you have any of this in your kitchen cabinets, better store them properly to avoid falling victim to silverfish infestation.

Hiding spots

During the colder months, silverfish also migrate in search of warm spaces to hide and safe corners to lay and reside. Door frames, tight cracks, damp basements and bookshelves where old papers are stored are their safe havens.

Moisture

Moisture is another major attractant of silverfish because they thrive in moist, humid places.

Are silverfish harmful?

To human health, NO, but silverfish infestations can ruin your peace because they are destructive and a nuisance. Like all other pests, silverfish are constantly looking for food sources, which often brings them to your home.

As much as silverfish do not bite or spread disease, silverfish can destroy your belongings, especially paper products and other household items made from synthetic fabrics.

Even with their harmless nature, silverfish shed a protein called tropomyosin, which can cause an allergic reaction when combined with other allergens.

Silverfish can also feed on your stockings like flour, pet food, and rolled oats.

 

How to get rid of silverfish for good

There are several ways to get rid of silverfish, depending on the extent of the infestation. Below are some practical tips to help you out.

proper storage of food

 

Even if you reside in silverfish-infested areas, you can prevent silverfish infestations by storing containers with tight leads. Proper food storage also ensures that even if there is an infestation, the silverfish cannot contaminate food. Moreover, ensure that you clear any food particles after eating. This starves the silverfish to death or forces them to migrate.

It is advisable to avoid using cardboard boxes for storage because they are warm and harbor dust, and this encourages their existence.

Lay traps

To control silverfish, you can put sugary foods in a glass jar and wrap it with tape. With the tape, they can climb the textured surface, but once inside, they can't escape because of the slippery surface;- it's a wingless insect! This is one of the most efficient biological ways to control silverfish.

Use sticky traps

Using sticky traps is a very effective way to get rid of silverfish. You can dispose the traps once the sticky surface is exhausted. When using sticky traps, you should place them away from the reach of children because they can be very unpleasant when you come to contact with them.

Use newspaper rolls

Roll up newspapers, wet the tips and place some silverfish delights like rolled oats. You should make several pieces and place them in attics, wet cardboard cartons or dark places with high humidity. After a week, burn all the traps to eliminate silverfish.

Use silverfish poison

You can buy silverfish poison like boric acid and place them at strategic points like crevices and basements where they can feed on. This is a very effective way to get rid of them, especially those on your bookshelf, so they do not destroy books.

However, like other poisonous substances, you should know that boric acid is toxic and must be used with care. They should be placed away from the reach of children or pets.

Use cedar shavings or oil to repel silverfish

There is scientific evidence that silverfish hate cedar scent. You can use a spray bottle filled with cedar oil and water or a diffuser to spread cedar pheromones.

Spread bay leaves around your home

Silverfish, just like other insects, are repelled by oil from bay leaves. To prevent silverfish from invading your home, you should spread bay leaves all around.

sprinkle Diatomaceous earth(DE) around

DE is a white powder that kills silverfish. It consists of fossilized diatoms that destroy the waxy layer covering these pests, leading to dehydration and death. You can sprinkle this substance in their habitats. This pest control mechanism is very efficient for fighting infestation at home.

How to prevent silverfish from returning

After you get rid of silverfish in your house, you employ measures that ensure they do not return. However, before you do that, conduct a thorough cleaning exercise to eliminate all the dead insects, especially if you used poison to kill the silverfish.

Thorough cleaning also ensures that other indoor allergens are also wiped out. This will save you from the bad odor terminating from decomposing silverfish.

Repairing leaky pipes also helps because it reduces humidity. Leakegaes encourage the growth of leaf mold, which harbors silverfish.

Hire Secret Agent For Pro Silverfish Removal

Even though there are several homegrown remedies for fighting silverfish infestation, hiring a secret agent is the best pest control measure you can employ.

With a professional touch, you are certain that the pests will be eliminated in totality. Moreover, you will stand guided on the dos and don't to prevent any similar future occurrences.