Have you ever been walking along in your kitchen or your bathroom and looking down at the floor only to see a silvery, slimy, odd-looking bug slithering across the floor? Those creepy pests are called silverfish. They come rightly by their name—they have silver bodies that are flat and can be 1/2 to 1 inch in length and when they move they do so in a fish-like motion. They also have three bristles that protrude from their abdomen. Silverfish don’t bite or sting and they don’t spread any diseases. They aren’t dangerous pests, however, they are a nuisance to homeowners. When silverfish infest, they damage items by feeding on them. They eat anything that contains starch or polysaccharides—this means that items such as paper, photos, wallpaper glue, book bindings, and more are in danger of being damaged. Often times homeowners will notice holes in materials or markings and etch along items. You may even notice small scales and feces if the infestation is extreme.
While a silverfish infestation is a big enough issue on its own, the problems caused by them are only half of the story. Silverfish are often a sign that there is a larger underlying issue happening. Silverfish are moisture-seeking pests and need moisture to survive. They require high levels of humidity. So if silverfish are able to live in your home, they have found moisture somewhere. Silverfish make their way into homes by exploiting holes that begin as water damage. This could mean that you have a water problem that you are unaware of such as leaky pipes, clogged gutters, or damage to the foundation of your home. Once they get inside, you will probably find them in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of high moisture.
So how do you get rid of silverfish? The only way to efficiently and effectively eliminate your silverfish infestation is through the use of a local pest control company. Big Blue Bug Solutions provides quality service to residents of South Portland. Moisture pests survive in places that are hard to get to, but our professionals are trained to track them down and get rid of them using safe treatment methods. Our technicians may even be able to give you an idea as to where the moisture is coming from so you will be able to tackle that problem head-on as well. After our initial service, we will provide three services per year to continue preventing pests from entering your home. If a problem arises in between one of our routine visits, we will come back for a free service.
If you want to avoid a creepy run-in with silverfish, or if you are concerned about moisture problems, call Big Blue Bug Solutions today to learn more about our residential pest control programs.