Silverfish are almost the things of legend. Are silverfish actually an insect? Can silverfish bite? In reality, they're pretty horrible-looking and aren’t nice to your drapes and clothing if they’re allowed indoors. The only questions are how are they getting inside and why? We understand wanting to get rid of silverfish naturally and wanting to prevent them, so to learn more about silverfish pest control, continue reading.
What Does A Silverfish Look Like?
These prehistoric-looking creatures range in color from silver to brown, are covered in scales, and have two long antennae on the front with three “bristletails” on the back end. Like fish, they can appear metallic and appear to move like a fish, but these insects can grow to around ¾ of an inch in length and are an elongated oval shape similar to a teardrop. Silverfish, unfortunately, can run very fast.
Silverfish prefer humid environments like bathrooms, basements, and attics, and can survive weeks without food or water. They may even crawl in through shake roofs and fall from ceiling fixtures. The typical silverfish diet consists of glue, clothing, and food such as flour, but they prefer proteins. The preferred proteins of the silverfish are beef or their own kind. In other words, a silverfish diet is cannibalistic.
Are you desperate to never see a silverfish again? Well, these creatures can live for up to three years, so silverfish pest control is quite important. Silverfish are not harmful to humans and a silverfish bite is unlikely, but that doesn’t make them any less disgusting to be around. Getting rid of silverfish is easy, as long as you can identify where they’re coming in.
How To Prevent Silverfish
You can imagine how easy it is for these guys to get inside considering their size and shape, so the first area to target for silverfish prevention is home maintenance, after that, it’s about the clutter. To practice silverfish pest control at home and prevent an infestation, try these tips:
- Seal cracks, holes, and crevices around the home with silicone-based caulk.
- Dehumidify rooms that tend to become humid.
- Don’t keep old wood or rocks leaned up against the house, especially not near windows or doors.
- Clean and seal shake roofs every other year.
- Check outdoor items thoroughly before moving them indoors.
- Repair leaking pipes or drains in and outdoors.
- Get rid of any moldy or wet wood around the home.
- Don’t store books, magazines, or clothes in open cardboard containers, especially not in preferred silverfish breeding grounds. If you must store, keep your items in sealed plastic.
- Store food items, especially flour and sugar in sealed glass or metal containers.
How Do I Get Rid Of Silverfish? - Pro Active Pest Control
If you have an infestation, the most important thing to getting rid of silverfish is finding where they’re getting in and eliminating the problem area. For some, it may take professional help to identify the source and deal with risk areas around the home. At Pro Active pest control, we can get rid of silverfish in Elk Grove naturally. Using our environmentally friendly pest control techniques, we can protect your health, your home, and the environment while efficiently ridding your home of pests. Don’t wait until a silverfish falls on your head from a light fixture, call Pro Active Pest control for your free quote, today.