Silverfish look like something from another planet, or maybe a leftover critter from prehistoric times. Most homeowners don’t know much about these peculiar little bugs, other than that they can be found skittering across the floors of basements and attics. So, are silverfish dangerous, or are they harmless? And how did they get into your house in the first place? Here’s what you need to know about keeping silverfish out of your Fort Worth home.
What To Know About Silverfish
Silverfish are direct descendants of the most primitive insects in history and retained some traits from their prehistoric ancestors. Silverfish are silvery-gray, flat-bodied insects measuring between ½ and ¾ inch in length. They have a distinct tapered shape, broader at the head and gradually more narrow towards the tail, resembling a fish.
Though they look odd compared to most pest insects, silverfish are harmless. They aren’t known to spread disease and don’t bite or sting. But while you and your pets are safe from silverfish attacks, your food and belongings might not be so lucky. And unfortunately, silverfish are hard to get rid of once an infestation develops.
What Are Silverfish Attracted To?
While they prefer the more humid conditions of an attic or basement, silverfish can be found throughout the home once an infestation has taken root. Silverfish will snack on pantry staples like flour and sugar, but are also content to munch on valuable belongings like books, clothes, and bedsheets. While some pests need fresh, live food, silverfish can survive almost indefinitely with enough cellulose-based material. So, if you’ve got a basement full of old linens and paper, you could have a silverfish problem for quite a while.
The good news is the factors that attract silverfish can be easily controlled. To help prevent a silverfish infestation in your home, you can:
- Protect your keepsakes: Make sure any valuable documents, books, clothes, or fine textiles are stored in sturdy containers with tight-sealing lids.
- Reduce humidity: Try to ventilate your basement or attic as much as possible. Consider installing a dehumidifier to ward off silverfish and other humidity-loving pests.
- Store food properly: Keep any perishable pantry food protected in sturdy containers. Use glass or metal containers for additional protection against rodents with strong teeth.
How To Prevent Silverfish
Besides the basics, there are other things you can do to prevent silverfish from making themselves at home.
- Try some yard work: Although they thrive indoors, silverfish may be attracted to your property because of an unkempt yard. Get rid of any wet leaves, decaying logs, rotten stumps, or other dank organic waste in your yard.
- Don’t forget housework: Although ants are most famous for gobbling up crumbs around the house, silverfish will eat your food scraps, too. Wipe down the areas where you cook and eat after use and be sure to mop and sweep floors often.
- Close up entrances: Keep silverfish out by sealing up any structural cracks or openings around the house, especially around the foundation. Replace any damaged weather stripping or door sweeps.
- Use diatomaceous earth: If you’re really fed up with silverfish, you can try spreading diatomaceous earth (DE) around your home. This powdery substance will cause any silverfish that come in contact with it to shrivel up and die.
If you’ve got pesky silverfish scampering around in your Fort Worth home, call the experts at White Knight Pest Control. We’ll get rid of the silverfish you have and prevent future infestations from occurring using our safe, comprehensive pest control methods. Contact us today for your free estimate.