Silverfish Prevention Tips For Maryland Property Owners
01/25/2022
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small insects often referred to as “carpet sharks” or as “bristletails” because of thei...
READ MORE >
Imagine that you are reaching for something to eat in your refrigerator…you look down and see a silver alien-looking bug slithering across the floor. Not only is that an instant loss of appetite, it may mean that you have a silverfish problem in your home.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish, also known as “fishmoths”, “urban silverfish” and “carpet sharks”, are long, thin, and flat insects that measure from 1/2 inch to 1 inch long. They get their name from their light grey-blue coloring, which can look like shimmering silver as they move across surfaces in a fish-like manner. Silverfish are just as much of a nuisance as they are creepy. These pests are attracted to anything containing starch or polysaccharide, as this is their primary source of food. Common household items that contain these substances are sugar, human hair, dandruff, photos, paper, toothpaste residue, shaving cream, glue (especially wallpaper paste), and book bindings. As you can imagine, they can become destructive once their source of food is found. The damage can be costly and can be a great loss if they get into photo memories or other precious items.
Why Silverfish Could Signify A Bigger Issue
Silverfish are moisture pests— meaning, they need moisture to survive. So naturally, they are drawn to humid areas of moderate temperatures in the home and are found in kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, attics, and bathrooms. Unfortunately, if you have an infestation of silverfish in your home, that could be the least of your problems. You may have a moisture related issue that is attracting them in the first place. The cause could be leaking pipes that you aren’t aware of, water getting in around the chimney or toilet parts that need replacing. Your gutters may be clogged or perhaps the rainwater isn’t being directed away from your foundation properly. Whatever the issue is, it’s causing a build-up of moisture that is creating the perfect environment for silverfish to live in.
How American Pest Can Help
Here at American Pest, we may not be able to solve your moisture problems but we may be able to help you find the source of a moisture issue. More importantly, we can certainly get rid of any silverfish, as well as other pests, that are in your home. The best way to do this is with our year-round pest control plan. With our Preferred Care plan, we give you protection from general pests and each service is guaranteed with our pest free pledge. Preferred Care is bi-monthly and if for some reason pests return between scheduled visits, we will return for free! We offer prompt treatment of existing pests, prevention tactics including sealing entry points, and rodent monitoring and control. In the case of Silverfish, we will develop a targeted plan of action to rid your home of these creepy, slithering pests and will determine the cause of the infestation. Although you may need to receive additional help for any moisture issues, we’ve got the silverfish taken care of!
