Despite their name, silverfish are not some kind of pretty metallic ocean fish. In fact, you have probably come into contact with at least one silverfish in your life. Almost every homeowner, especially those in Southern states (such as Florida, Texas, California), has spotted a silverfish in his home at one point or another. What are these little, slippery, fast-moving pests and why do they often invade our homes? As opposed to other pests that carry many germs, like roaches, silverfish do not pose any health risk to humans and don't bite like spiders can. Rather, these pesky creatures are infamous for being more annoying and damage-causing. Silverfish cause the most damage to fabrics and other materials around the house, such as paper. So if you have seen these small (about 1/2 to 1 inch long) shiny gray or silver bugs around your home, you have probably wondered how to prevent and get rid of them.
Where do Silverfish Hide?
Silverfish like several kinds of places in homes and are most active at night in empty areas. Silverfish are attracted to starch and sugar, which means that they gravitate toward materials that have sugar and starch in them, including the silverfish favorite: books and newspapers. The bindings in books, which contain glue, are a common place to find silverfish - especially in books that have not been used for a long while. Where else do silverfish like to hide?
- Dark and damp areas
- Cracks in walls
- Silverfish enjoy fungal molds, such as those in old pipes or in older bathrooms
- Silverfish love cellulose, which is found in shampoos and shaving foams, which is part of the reason why silverfish are commonly spotted in bathrooms
- Infestation problems are common in homes with cedar shake roofs because chances of mold are higher in homes with this roof type
- Fabrics are another attraction for silverfish. Check your curtains periodically, as the pests could be making tiny holes
How to Prevent Silverfish
The best way to prevent silverfish is by keeping your home humidified at normal levels. Check your furnace settings to make sure the humidifier is set to the proper level. For very humid homes, consider purchasing a dehumidifier. The less humid your home, the less interested silverfish will be in spending time in it. If you have a serious silverfish problem, you may want to consider checking your pipes to identify any potentially faulty plumbing that might cause mold growth or dampness throughout the home. Faulty pipes could contribute to the dampness in your home without you realizing it, thus attracting silverfish. Consider having a professional plumber come out to periodically check your pipes.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish
Silverfish are extremely hard to get rid of. In fact, even exterminators have not had much success exterminating silverfish. If you do have a serious silverfish problem then the best thing to do is to call an exterminator, who will quickly get rid of most of the initial problem. Here are some common methods for getting rid of silverfish:
- Boric Acid - It can stick to the legs of silverfish which they bring back to their nests, hopefully causing death.
- Cloves - Some homeowners report successful ridding of silverfish by placing cloves around their homes. Silverfish apparently stay away from cloves.
- Orange Guard - Orange Guard is a natural, citric-acid based spray which helps to kill and repel silverfish.
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Tips from Getridofthings.com
