If you live in Baltimore, Maryland, there are certain pests you probably dread coming onto your property. Species such as spiders, wasps, and cockroaches are known for being invasive and dangerous, and most people don’t ever want to encounter them. However, other species, such as the silverfish, aren’t talked about as often.
Because of this, many homeowners have questions about these strange insects. In this guide, you’ll learn all you need to know about silverfish, including how you can prevent them.
Silverfish Behaviors And Characteristics
Silverfish might have the term fish in their name, but they look more like a prehistoric insect or fossil. They have long, thin bodies that narrow toward the end, and they have a pair of long antennae as well as a pair of feelers. They are usually silver or grey, but they can sometimes be brown.
When it comes to behavior, silverfish are known for living in humid, dark areas because they need a lot of moisture to survive. They often live outdoors, but they will make their way inside if the opportunity is there. They are often found in basements, kitchens, bathrooms, garages, and sheds. They are also attracted to damp clothing and paper products.
Are Silverfish A Dangerous Pest?
There’s no denying that silverfish look rather strange. They easily look like they could bite or sting, but the truth is that they are mostly just nuisance pests. In spite of those long feelers, they don’t sting or bite people or pets, and they also aren’t known to spread any diseases.
The main issue that silverfish can cause is damaging belongings. They like to chew on things like cereals, books, wallpaper, and all other varieties of items that contain sugars or carbohydrates. This means they can damage valuables, and they can even get into some food products. While they aren’t known to transmit pathogens, you should still throw out any food they contaminate.
Six Effective Silverfish Prevention Tips
While silverfish aren’t harmful, they are still annoying to have around. They aren’t fun to look at, and nobody wants to have these insects crawling around their property. Because of this, there are some simple steps you can take to keep them from coming around, such as:
- Identify possible entry points around the walls and foundation. Make sure to seal up cracks with foam and caulk products.
- Install weather stripping and door sweeps around the property.
- Declutter both inside the home and around the yard on a regular basis.
- Address moisture issues by using dehumidifiers, ensuring good ventilation, and fixing leaky plumbing.
- Replace or repair broken screens in doors and windows.
- Keep products such as cereals and grains stored in airtight containers.
What’s The Best Way To Remove Silverfish?
If you already have silverfish around your property, they can be difficult to completely eradicate on your own because they are so small. This enables them to live inside of tiny areas such as holes in the walls or under flooring. The best way to remove them is with residential pest assistance from Pest Czar.
Our trained technicians will keep these weird bugs out of your home throughout the year, too, with our ongoing treatment plans. Just give us a call today to learn more or to request a free quote.