You wake up in the middle of the night, flip up the light switch and out of the corner of your eye, see a bunch of tiny, silvery things slip back into the dark. They're moving at an impossible speed for any creature on dry lands, like a pack of fish through the water.
Silverfish are not related to fish in any way but are annoying little insects whose numbers have been growing in California in the last few years.
They are 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch long, with a fish-shaped body that's shiny and silvery and covered with fish-like scales. On the rear, they have three long bristles (which also earned silverfish the name "bristletails") that only add to the fish illusion.
The fact that silverfish need a moisture-rich, humid area to survive and move side to side as they move, a lot like a fish's tail, doesn't help to dispel the urban myth that they have originated in the sea.
Silverfish are nocturnal; over the millennia, they've developed the ability to move incredibly fast and stay out of sight of predators such as spiders, earwigs, and humans wearing house slippers.
They feed on food that contains mostly complex carbohydrates and starches. They will happily infest a bag of sugar you've stored in the pantry or chow down on paper, clothing, cotton clothing, and so on.
If no accessible food is around, silverfish can hold off for over a year until their next meal.
Each silverfish can lay up to three clusters of silverfish eggs each day, containing up to twenty eggs each. A single silverfish in your house can become hundreds in a matter of months.
Let's look at signs of a silverfish infestation to watch for, learn how to get rid of silverfish on your own, and, if that fails, how to find top-notch pest control in Anaheim.
The Damage Silverfish Can Do In Your Home
Silverfish do not bite or carry infectious diseases, but the thought of these wiggly little guys crawling all over the bed as you sleep is not comforting. They also damage clothing, books, and anything else made of paper or linen in your house as they feed.
People allergic to dust mites or that have weak immune systems will often have allergic reactions when exposed to silverfish droppings or shed skins.
Silverfish Prevention Tips For Your Anaheim Home
Once silverfish settle in your home and infestation is in advanced stages, getting rid of silverfish is a chore not for the light-hearted. Let's take a look at how you can make your house as unappealing to silverfish as possible:
- Use dehumidifiers to lower air moisture content.
- Make sure the basement and crawlspaces are well-ventilated.
- Fix leaking plumbing.
- Store old books and magazines in sealed containers.
- Keep grains and flour in tightly sealed containers.
One of the best insurances you can have against silverfish, and other pest infestations is a regular pest inspection by an experienced pest control professional.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Silverfish Infestation In Your Home
A-1 Bonded Termite pest control professionals will inspect the inside and outside of your property to determine where the nests and breeding grounds are around your home. They will also determine how they've gotten into your house and either seal the passages or advise you on what to do if the issue is more structural. Based on the inspection results, your technician will develop a customized plan to remove silverfish from your home and advise you on what you can do to prevent a re-infestation.
Keep silverfish from taking over your home. Contact A-1 Bonded Termite today to request a free inspection. Will will take care of your silverfish and other pests that have made your house their home.