Silverfish are widely considered one of the creepiest insect pests we treat after cockroaches (of course). Silverfish are a nocturnal silver grey insect shaped a bit like a parsnip and are known for their destructive habits. If they have invaded your home or business they can damage old books, wallpaper, damp clothing and plaster- so it is important if you notice one of these wiggling around your property you call in one of our professionals from Defender Pest Control!
Signs of a Silverfish Infestation
Due to their nocturnal nature, it can often be difficult to tell if you have an infestation as the easiest way to tell if you have a problem on your hands is witnessing their presence. Below we list some of the most common tell-tale signs that silverfish have invaded your property:
- Around bathtubs and sinks you may see silverfish that are trapped and struggling to go back to their nest.
- They may be found burrowing in unsealed dried packets of food.
- There may be yellow stains on your clothing and other synthetic fabrics.
- There may be damage to your books, photographs, papers, and wallpaper. This is normally recognised by small holes/notches on the items (these are known as feeding marks).
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Prevention
Due to their nocturnal nature, speed, and impressive ability to hide it can often be difficult to initially spot a silverfish infestation and effectively treat it. As with most pests best practice is to call in the professionals if you want a prompt and permanent solution to eliminate any problem especially silverfish. However, there are some steps you can take to prevent a silverfish infestation:
- If your property is damp you should try to get control of this to prevent a silverfish infestation. You can use a dehumidifier or call in an expert to solve your damp problems.
- Keeping your home clutter free-removing any waste cardboard, old papers, and any general clutter.
- Remove any food sources especially dry foods such as cereal, grains, and pasta. Also keeping food sources in airtight containers and sealed glass jars.
- Effectively proofing your home by sealing up any cracks/crevices in walls and ceilings.
- Regular vacuuming to remove any food, dust, and debris.
- Keeping your gutters clear will ensure water can properly drain away and reduce any dampness that would attract silverfish.
