Anyone who has experienced a silverfish infestation will tell you how much they do not wish to go through a similar ordeal again. The pests can be super-annoying and be a cause of actual damage to your property if their growth is not addressed.
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Can silverfish harm humans?
Well, not directly, i.e. they won’t sting or bite you, but you may still not be able to coexist. Silverfish will feed on virtually anything that is partly starch. That includes wallpaper, glue, paste, textiles, and book bindings. They are also fond of flour, cereal, sugar, and a range of other food items.
Naturally, silverfish are meant to feed on fungi or mold that can be found on dump surfaces. The wingless pests, albeit seemingly harmless, can thus contaminate food and put your family at risk of bacterial and fungal infections. When eradicating silverfish, you should give special attention to damp surfaces and cool dark corners where they are likely to hide.
Where can I find silverfish in my home?
Just like any other pests, ignoring silverfish just because they have not started causing you problems is allowing them to multiply and become an actual crisis. Consider taking action as soon as you detect the very first silverfish crawling on the floor or wall somewhere in your home. Learn more about professional pest control and identify where silverfish tend to hide in your home.
Common hiding places for silverfish in a typical home include closets, behind baseboards, under carpets, under damp sinks, bookcases and bathtubs, door and window frames, and wallpaper. These are the first places a professional exterminator will advise you check before applying treatment. Other telltale signs of a possible silverfish infestation include small holes in fabrics such as silk, cotton, and linen, often spotting a characteristic yellowish stain.
Albeit these pests thrive in cool and damp places, they sometimes wander into bathroom and kitchen sinks and other wet but open surfaces. Always remember that if you have seen a few silverfish roaming around in the open, there is a high chance there are a lot more hiding somewhere waiting to come out when you are not watching.
How to prevent the damage
The good thing about silverfish is that they are not that swift with their attacks on carpets, bed-covers, and wallpaper. It will take some time before you detect any significant damage in your home.
That having been said, silverfish are not any sufferable compared to rodents and other common home pests. They can be harder to detect, unless you are really, really watchful and that offers them the opportunity to subtly multiply into populations that can cause substantial damage and be harder to control.
Frequent vacuuming, cleaning, steam drying, trapping and dehumidifying are among the best ways to keep silverfish infestations at bay. You can also seal openings around wires and pipes using caulk to inhibit free movement. If these measures are not effective, try pesticides such as silica aerogel or diatomaceous.
Consider consulting a professional exterminator if you have to settle for chemical control in a home that has pets and/or children.