eradicating silverfish

Silverfish: Appearance, Cause of Infestation, and Control

Are you seeing silverfish all over your house? For a home owner, seeing any kind of creepy crawlies near your food sources can be quite annoying. These little critters can turn into pantry pests, carpet beetles, and other pests.

Silver fish in particular are even worse to see, especially when they contaminate food sources. You can find this insect in so many areas like:

  • Pet food
  • Damp Areas
  • Damp basements
  • Cedar Shavings
  • Synthetic fabrics
  • Airtight containers
  • Leaky pipes
  • Laundry rooms
  • Cardboard boxes
  • Hidden areas
  • Textured surface
  • Humid places
  • Dark places
  • Anywhere with moisture levels that are too high
  • Humidity
  • Construction materials
  • Crawl spaces
  • Dry food
  • Tight cracks
Harris Silverfish Killer Traps for Indoor, 2-Pack
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Harris Silverfish Killer Traps for Indoor, 2-Pack
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In fact, silverfish can show up in just about any thin layer of cement or area with moisture or intense humidity. This is why trying to control silverfish and prevent silverfish infestations means that you should pay attention to what attracts silverfish.

If you are trying to find ways to prevent an infestation and get rid of silverfish trying to spread disease around your home, then you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be teaching you how to control the infestation, how to identify silverfish droppings, and feeding marks around your house.

We will also teach you how to stay on top of silverfish activity and get rid of silverfish once and for all.

Silverfish Infestations: What is a Silverfish?

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Silverfish or otherwise called a Lepisma Saccharina, is a nuisance pest that is slender and silvery with tail like appendages.

First

The shape of their body is fish like, which is why they are known for having the name silverfish.

Silverfish are only considered pests, when they are starting to infest all areas of your home. Silverfish control is going to become difficult once they enter different areas. These little critters are not toxic to humans, and neither do they spread disease or trigger allergies.

Second

But they are known to damage a lot of your belongings which makes it equally concerning. Silverfish eat books, photos, clothing, kitchen pantry items, and a slur of many other things.

They are also commonly found in dark areas like basements, small holes, inside your bathroom, or living room. Silverfish feed during the night, but remain hidden during the day.

Third

Silverfish love starchy food like rolled oats. They can even get into plastic containers or a glass jar. Silverfish love to eat anything with moisture in it as well.

Silverfish Infestation: What Attract Silverfish to your House?

home remedy for silverfish

If you are trying to repel silverfish, it’s important to know what attracts them to you so you can easily prevent silverfish from infesting your home. Furthermore, you are probably wondering how they get to your house in the first place. Here are a few reasons why:

Food

Just like any insect, silverfish need to eat so they go to places where there is a lot of food. These critters rely heavily on starch, like grains, sugars, fabric, dried goods, or fibers. One of the reasons why these insects are difficult to control, is because they eat almost anything.

In their natural environment, they also feed on composting materials like leaves and other items. These insects can also feed on food scraps coming from the garbage.

Places to Lay Their Eggs

Sometimes, you can find silverfish in odd places where it’s dark like basements or under your sink. This is because silverfish live in areas where they can lay their eggs safely. Silverfish eggs are likely to be colored yellow or white and look like little bulbs. This is why it’s important to get rid of silverfish with sticky traps or any kind of pest control methods.

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Dekko Silverfish Paks (Pack of 2)
357 Reviews
Dekko Silverfish Paks (Pack of 2)
  • Listing is for 2 boxes of Dekko paks 24 paks per box 48 total paks
  • Place 2 to 3 packs in each infested area. Place in closets, drawers, bookcases, in basement and dark hidden areas.
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Hiding Spaces

Silverfish love to make their homes or hide in different areas of your home. These normally include behind your furniture, bookshelves, or just about anywhere that’s very dark. To get rid of these insects, you may need the help of a pest control specialist to eliminate insects. You can try the holiday season to call for a pest control company.

Proper Habitat

Silverfish like to live in moist well protected areas, like logs, rocks, or leaf litters. Inside your home however, that will be any area where it’s dark.

Silverfish need a humid and moist area to survive, so if you have that kind of area in your home its best to get rid of silverfish infestation by adding boric acid, bay leaves, or different kinds of traps.

National Pest Management Association: Are Silverfish Dangerous To Humans?

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Silverfish are not threatening to humans or pets. They are incapable of biting, stinging, or carriers of disease. They are harmless insects, however, they do pose a huge threat to your belongings.

Silverfish is not the type of pest that you should be messing with. If you are not careful, these little critters can damage your household and building materials. Their creepy presence may want you to leave your house even if you don’t want to.

Additionally, if you are the type to have allergies, they can cause uncomfortable experiences and reactions if the infestation is not controlled properly. Some people develop allergic symptoms to skin molts or the feces of silverfish.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation in your Home

how do i get rid of silverfish in my house

If you’ve ever seen a silverfish darting across your floor, you know how creepy they can be. These little bugs are mostly harmless, but they can be a big nuisance. If you’re dealing with a silverfish infestation, there are a few telltale signs to look for:

Seeing a Noticed Silverfish Growth at Home

The first sign of an invasion is seeing a huge growth of silverfish around different areas of your house. These small, slippery, and flexible bugs range from brown, grey, blue, or silver colors. They are like teardrops wiggling around your floors just like how fish swim.

Since these bugs are nocturnal, it can be difficult to spot them during the day. But seeing just one come up anywhere in your home, is a good indication that you can find a swarm of them hiding in your home somewhere.

The best solution to this would be to leave traps, essential oils, cedar oil, boric acid, or sprinkle diatomaceous earth. If those traps don’t work, you can always call an exterminator for help. They can get the job done right away without you moving a finger.

Seeing Droppings on your Floors

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of waking up in the morning and making your way to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, only to find tiny black pellets littered across your floor.

If you have the displeasure of seeing silverfish droppings on your floors, it’s a good indication that you have an infestation.

While silverfish are relatively harmless, they can be a nuisance. In addition to leaving behind unsightly droppings, they are known for damaging books and clothing. If you’re dealing with a silverfish problem, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them.

First, identify potential sources of moisture and address them. Silverfish thrive in damp environments, so eliminating moisture sources will make your home less attractive to them. Next, declutter your home and vacuum regularly.

Clutter provides hiding places for silverfish, so reducing it will make it easier to spot them. Finally, consider using traps or insecticides to get rid of silverfish for good.

Yellow Stains

If you’ve ever seen silverbug yellow marks on your clothing or furniture, you may be wondering what they are and how to get rid of them. Silverbugs are small, wingless bugs that are typically silver or gray in color.

They’re common household pests that feed on paper, fabric, and other materials that contain starch. While silverbugs don’t typically cause serious damage to homes, they can be a nuisance. Yellow stains from silver bugs are often found on clothing, curtains, or furniture.

These stains are caused by the bugs waste products and can be difficult to remove. If you have silver bug yellow marks in your home, you’ll need to take care when cleaning them. To remove the stains, start by vacuum cleaning the area.

Then, use a gentle laundry detergent or stain remover to pre-treat the affected area. Wash the item in hot water and dry it on high heat. You may need to repeat this process several times to completely remove the stain.

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GreenWay Spider & Silverfish Trap - 6 prebaited Traps | Ready to Use Heavy Duty Glue, Safe, Non-Toxic with No Insecticides or Odor, Eco Friendly, Kid and Pet Safe
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Damaged Household Items

Have you ever gone to grab a book off your shelves only to find that the pages have been nibbled on? Or perhaps you’ve noticed small holes in your clothes or linen. If so, chances are you have silver bugs in your home. Silver bugs are small, wingless bugs that get their name from their silvery-gray color.

In addition, their presence can be indicative of other pests, such as cockroaches or termites. If you suspect you have these bugs in your home, be sure to contact a pest control professional for assistance.

Skin Molts

If you’ve ever seen a skin molted by a silver bugs, you may have been grossed out. But did you know that this process is actually essential for the survival of these delicate creatures? Silver bugs get their name from their shiny, silver-colored exoskeletons.

In order to grow, they must periodically shed their old skin and grow a new one. This molting process usually occurs several times throughout the silverfish’s lifetime. While it may be icky to see, molting is actually a fascinating process to watch.

If you’re lucky enough to spot a silver bugs in the act, you’ll see it wiggle out of its old skin and emerge looking shiny and new. So next time you see a skin molt, take a moment to appreciate the wonders of nature!

How to Get Rid of Silverfish Infestations

how to control silverfish

Silverbugs are one of the most common household pests. These small, wingless bugs are attracted to damp, dark places and often enter homes through cracks in the foundation or gaps around doors and windows.

First

Once inside, they quickly reproduce and can be difficult to get rid of. Silverbugs are not dangerous and do not carry diseases, but they can be a nuisance.

Second

They also leave behind small brown feces that can stain fabrics. If you find yourself with a silverbug infestation, there are a few things you can do to get rid of them. First, try to identify and seal any entry points they may be using to get into your home. Next, remove any food sources that may be attracting them. This includes paper products, cereals, cardboard boxes, and even pet food.

Third

Finally, make your home less inviting to silverbugs by reducing humidity levels and keeping surfaces clean and free of clutter. With some help from professional pest control services or cedar oil, you can get rid of silverbugs for good.

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