Silverfish Pest Control
Silverfish are small, wingless insects in silvery-gray color. They are nocturnal creatures under the order Zygentoma who are more active at night. Their body is teardrop-shaped – flattened and elongated with tapers towards the rear which makes them look like a fish. The body measures about ½ to 3/4 inches in length and consists of three long tail-like appendages at the rear and two antennae at the front.
You can generally find Silverfish around dark and damp environments like basements, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and crawl spaces. They thrive around areas with high humidity, around 75-95%, and prefer temperatures ranging from 700F to 800F or 210C to 270C. Since Silverfish are omnivorous and feed on a wide variety of materials, they consume carbohydrates, paper, glue, fabrics, wallpapers, books, cereals, dead insects, etc. To note, they can survive months without any food.
In case of any confrontation with silverfish, contact Pratt Termite & Pest Control, Inc. at 402-691-2920.
How do Silverfish behave?
Silverfish are agile and fast-moving insects that can easily scale various walls and other vertical surfaces. They can even survive in adverse conditions and go on without water for a long time. We can see a unique mating behavior in them called “mating swarms” where males compete for a female and then after that, the female lays small, white eggs in crevices and cracks. These eggs hatch within a few weeks and have a relatively longer lifespan than other insects. Some of the silverfish even live to three years.
Are Silverfish dangerous?
Silverfish can cause damage to books, clothing, wallpaper, and other household items which might not be a direct threat to human health but can be a nuisance and cause economic damage.
They can also contaminate food or other stored items with their scales, excrement, body fragments, etc. which can make the food bad for consumption and can be particularly troublesome in commercial places like grocery stores. Likewise, they indicate any underlying moisture problems in a house or building. You can have the problems like excess humidity or water leaks that can get dense with mold growth and can even destroy the structural handle.
Apart from these, if someone is allergic to Silverfish, then it’s a direct threat to their health with the symptoms like skin rashes, itching, and respiratory issues.
These issues can be addressed by a licensed professional who is experienced in silverfish pest control.
How does pest control get rid of Silverfish?
If you have the question “Can a pest control get rid of Silverfish?”, the answer is yes. Pratt Termite & Pest Control, Inc. works effectively to get rid of Silverfish with some common approaches.
We begin the silverfish control process with a thorough inspection of the property to identify the extent and severity of inspection alongside the species of silverfish present. This helps us choose the most appropriate treatment plan. Then, we look for any underlying moisture issues in your home so they can be fixed. This makes the environment less favorable for silverfish.
We also apply residual insecticides for the further process in the areas where silverfish were seen active. These insecticides come in various forms like sprays, dusts, or baits. You need to follow the consequential instructions to stay on the safe side, just in case.
Further, we might even apply the diatomaceous earth in the cracks and crevices, and voids so silverfish cannot hide in such areas. The diatomaceous earth is specially designed to eliminate silverfish by dehydrating their exoskeletons.
We also have Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs), a substance that works on the normal development and reproduction of insects. We use it as sprays or sometimes baits to inhibit the growth and reproduction of silverfish to help control their population.
Finally, we have monitored traps and devices to track the treatment effectiveness. This also detects and addresses any new silverfish activity. A regular follow-up service is also available to ensure that the infestation has been contained.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How so silverfish enter any house or building?
Silverfish enters your home via cracks, gaps, and openings in walls, windows, doors, or foundations. Or in some cases, it can enter via the already infested items like secondhand furniture.
- What attracts silverfish to houses?
Silverfish are attracted to moisture and humidity which provokes them to enter the house and seek out dark and damp places like bathrooms, kitchens, or similar areas.
- How long do silverfish live?
A silverfish can live up to three years if the conditions are in its favor.
- Can Silverfish fly?
No, silverfish don’t have wings and thus are incapable of flying.
- Do Silverfish reproduce quickly?
When comparing silverfish with other insects, they reproduce relatively slowly. They lay eggs and it takes a few weeks for them to hatch and the hatched younglings need several months to reach adulthood.
- What can silverfish do to our clothes?
Yes, if your clothes are made up of natural fibers like cotton and silk, they can feed on your clothes and create damage.
- Do silverfish have natural predators?
Silverfish are usually hunted by spiders, centipedes, earwigs, beetles, etc.
- Can we prevent silverfish infestation?
Yes, you can prevent silverfish infestations by reducing humidity levels inside your house and fixing leaks, and other moisture issues. The house should be clean and free of any clutters.
- Is there a way to get rid of silverfish without using chemicals?
Yes, there are some natural remedies to help you with silverfish like cedar, citrus peels, lavender oils, sachets of herbs, etc. However, they might not always help you eradicate the infestation.
- Can I control silverfish on my own?
Though it is not recommended, you can attempt to control silverfish on your own. But if the infestation is severe, it is advised to use professional pest control for silverfish.
- Do silverfish bite humans?
No, silverfish never bite humans and they don’t even possess the mouth parts for biting or stinging.
- Do silverfish spread diseases?
As of now, we have no reason to believe that silverfish can transmit diseases.
- Are silverfish a threat to pets?
No, silverfish are not a threat to pets. But if the pets come into direct contact with their scales or excrement, they could develop a digestive issue or allergic reactions.
