Silverfish Prevention And Control: A Complete Guide For Katy Homeowners
You have questions about silverfish, and we have answers. If you’re wondering how dangerous silverfish are, what attracts them, how to get rid of them, and even what silverfish are, we’ve got you covered. At Modern Pest Control, we believe in informed pest management. That means we keep you in the know from the beginning when we answer all your questions about the little insects that have made their way into your home.
Our Katy pest control is centered on current solutions for problems as old as time. Let’s face it, no matter how hard you try, pests are going to get into your house. Whatever evidence you’re seeing, the best way to get rid of silverfish is to call Modern Pest Control and let us help. We’ll keep your home and family safe while keeping silverfish from returning.
Silverfish: What Are They?
Silverfish in Katy are small insects that are silvery-gray in color. Adult silverfish are usually between 1/2 and 3/4 inches, so they’re pretty small. They have thin bodies with iridescent scales. Silverfish have long, thin antennae and three long bristles at their back ends. Silverfish move in a swaying motion, similar to how fish swim. These insects are nocturnal and will hide during the day. If they’re disturbed, they’ll quickly dart to a new hiding place. Silverfish are year-round pests, which means there’s no one specific time of year when they’re more active or dormant. It’s important that you’re aware of the signs and behaviors of silverfish no matter what season it is because they can infest your home at any time.
Silverfish can live for up to four years, reproducing throughout adulthood. A single silverfish egg clutch can hold up to 200 eggs, but they typically have around 50. It takes anywhere from 19 to 32 days for silverfish eggs to hatch, and the transition from larva to adulthood actually depends on the temperature. When it’s cooler, silverfish can take as long as 500 days to become adults. In warmer weather, the same life cycle only takes about 60 days. This is a pretty wide range—two months to just under two years. That can make it difficult to predict how fast a silverfish infestation will grow. What’s more important is understanding where silverfish can be found and what brings them into your home.
Silverfish prefer to live in warm, humid places. Laundry rooms and bathrooms are both common spots to see silverfish. Silverfish feed on dust, household debris, dry food, and paper products. If they aren’t hiding in a damp room, they might be on a bookshelf or another area where they can easily access these food sources. Storage areas, like closets, attics, and basements, are also areas where silverfish congregate. These parts of your home provide plenty of food for silverfish and are often left undisturbed.
Because silverfish are nocturnal and tend to stay out of sight, there are a few signs you should watch out for. Adult silverfish will sometimes lose scales, which can be found near the things they eat. This means they might be stuck to bookshelves and outlet covers or on a wallpapered surface and other areas of the home. Silverfish scales can be hard to see because they’re small and light-colored. They might resemble dust, but they’ll slightly reflect light and stick to most surfaces. You might also notice that paper products look like they’ve been chewed on or have small holes. There might also be some discoloration caused by silverfish damage and fungi that grow due to the insects.
Silverfish Are More Of A Nuisance Than A Danger
The diet of silverfish mainly consists of paper products and glue, although they also eat dry food, household dust and debris, and dead insects. One of the biggest concerns with a silverfish infestation is the chance for food contamination as they seek out cereal, flour, pasta, and other similar foods to eat. Besides food contamination, the other concern with silverfish is property damage as they eat paper goods. Silverfish have weak mandibles or jaws, which means that they don’t even really bite the things they eat. Instead, they sort of scrape the surfaces of these items, which is what leads to visible damage. This damage also provides the right environment for certain fungi, leading to further problems. Because paper and glue are such common food sources, look for damage on books, especially the bindings, paper bags, cardboard boxes, and wallpaper. Areas where items are stored, such as closets and basements, can be especially vulnerable to silverfish since they can live and eat there undisturbed.
Some people experience allergic reactions to silverfish. The scales that silverfish shed can combine with other potential allergens in the home and lead to allergy symptoms. Silverfish droppings can have the same effect. This may present as respiratory symptoms or match the symptoms caused by other allergens, such as dust.
As far as pest infestations go, silverfish are not the worst. They don’t bite or sting, and they don’t spread diseases. But you still don’t want them in your house. The risk of food contamination is reason enough. Then when you add on the fact that they damage books, wallpaper, and other items, silverfish become even more annoying. But because they’re small, lightly colored, and fast, they can be difficult pests to manage.
Ways To Prevent Silverfish Infestations In Your Home
One of the biggest factors when it comes to silverfish infestations is humidity. Silverfish thrive in warm, moist environments, which is why bathrooms and laundry rooms are their most common hiding spots. They’re also more likely to infest homes where they can find lots of food, whether dust, cereal, pet food, or books. The key to preventing silverfish infestations is removing these things from your home.
Following these silverfish prevention tips can protect your Katy home and belongings from damage:
Control humidity and moisture
Remove yard debris
Seal cracks in the walls
Clean up dust and debris
Clean out storage areas regularly
Move paper items around periodically
Store dry food in airtight containers
One of the best things you can do around your home is to reduce the humidity. Whether you need to use a dehumidifier, repair a fan, or just air out some spaces, keeping your house dry keeps silverfish away. Another step is to repair any leaking or dripping pipes since water pooling can contribute to the environment silverfish love. Although these methods can be more time-consuming, they’re vital in preventing silverfish infestations. Reducing humidity around your home makes it much less comfortable for silverfish, making them less likely to settle in.
Silverfish come inside from somewhere, and that’s usually your yard. Yard debris, such as leaf piles, can make homes for silverfish before they make their way into your house. Store firewood several feet from your home, elevate it off the ground, and remove as much yard debris as possible. This will keep silverfish from living in your yard, making them less likely to get into your home.
Even if silverfish are living in your yard, they need a way to get inside. Any hole or crack in the wall can give silverfish the entry point they need. This is another time-consuming step, but it’s essential when it comes to silverfish prevention. These insects are small and thin; they can fit through tiny openings. Take the time to make any necessary repairs around your home, both inside and outside, to make sure silverfish don’t have a way to enter your home.
It’s also important to avoid letting dust and debris build-up since those are primary food sources. Regularly vacuuming and dusting lowers the amount of things silverfish can eat. Additionally, periodically rearranging storage areas and paper goods can make it more difficult for silverfish to settle in. This disturbs the things they might otherwise try to eat and can keep them away. It also allows you to look for signs of silverfish damage, like evidence of eating books or boxes. The sooner you catch the infestation, the easier it will be to remove it.
To keep silverfish out of your food, make sure as much as possible is stored in solid, airtight containers. Remember that silverfish eat paper and glue, so paper bags are not the best option. Dry, grain-based products especially are targets for silverfish. Pet food can be infested as well, as can coffee and sugar. Any food that is contaminated by silverfish should be thrown away immediately.
Silverfish can be hard to remove from your home. They tend to stay out of sight, and they move quickly. There are a few options for do-it-yourself (DIY) silverfish control, but these are best for helping manage an infestation, not for total removal. Cedar has been shown to repel silverfish. You can apply cedar essential oils or cedar shavings around your home, especially in areas where you know silverfish hide. This won’t kill the pests or necessarily remove an infestation, but it can keep silverfish out of specific areas of your home.
Sticky traps can work well, especially when they’re placed in areas where you know silverfish hide. You can also cover the outside of a glass jar with masking tape. The silverfish will be able to climb up the tape side, fall into the jar, and then they won’t be able to climb back out. These two methods work best to find where silverfish congregate, not necessarily to remove a whole infestation. Place the traps around bookshelves, in closets, and anywhere humid, like the bathroom. Silverfish move freely around the house, so where you collect the most isn’t necessarily where they’re all hiding, but it can be a good clue as to where they spend their time.
Other do-it-yourself methods of silverfish control can have varying results. Store-bought chemical treatments are not effective since silverfish aren’t likely to consume any baits or poisons. They’re also able to survive a long time without food or water. Instead, work on making your home less attractive to silverfish. Reduce the humidity, clear out extra debris, keep your dry food put away, and protect your paper goods.
Getting rid of silverfish for good can be difficult to do on your own, so professional pest control is your best option. With the help of a pest management team, you can trust that the silverfish infestation will be completely removed and that it won’t come back.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Silverfish In Your Home Fast
These elusive pests often require professional management. At Modern Pest Control, we believe in personalized care for Katy homes. Silverfish might not be the most dangerous pest out there, but you still deserve to receive high-quality treatments at an affordable price. We always begin our services with an inspection to find where the silverfish are and what could attract them to your home. Then we’ll work with you to decide on a silverfish treatment plan that will be most effective for your home. We specialize in the most current, up-to-date pest control methods that are sure to work. And if we treat your home and the silverfish come back, so will we. We offer extra services in between visits at no additional cost whenever necessary.
Whatever your pest situation, Modern Pest Control is here to help. We believe that pest control should be customizable to fit your needs, not the same basic plan for every house and every pest. For silverfish, we offer a variety of options that we can combine in any way necessary. Our company has been around for decades, building a wealth of knowledge and experience. With the help of our trained pest management professionals, we’re dedicated to safer, more effective pest control methods in Katy.
If you’re finding silverfish around your Katy home, give Modern Pest Control a call for help and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Katy. We’ll get your home pest-free and help you keep it that way.