Despite what the name might make you think, silverfish are not aquatic swimmers gracing the oceans of East End Beach. Rather, they are nuisance pests – little nocturnal insects that are commonly found in the New England area.
These tiny, tear-shaped pests have a very slender frame ranging between 1/2 and 2 inches long. They have a rounded head that leads into a narrower body, tapering off to a pointed abdomen. Some people compare their appearance to that of a segmented carrot, the only difference being that silverfish have a set of antennae and 3 bristles protruding out of their body.
Silverfish get their name because they give off a silver, metallic shine and they move their strange oblong bodies like fish swimming through water. They are active at night, leaving their little nests to find food while we are asleep. This makes them extremely hard to spot, meaning a large-scale infestation can go unnoticed for a considerable length of time.
Are they dangerous?
Silverfish do not pose a threat to humans in the traditional sense, meaning they do not bite, scratch, or spread disease. However, they can be extremely destructive to your property. They eat anything starch-based, leaving many of your belongings vulnerable. When they feed, they leave holes in newspapers, clothing, books, photos, and many other items that you may think are safe in storage but are a silverfish’s next meal.
These nuisance pests come into your home in search of food, warmth, and high humidity. They depend on moisture to survive, so they are often found in moisture-rich areas of your house like the bathroom, kitchen, and basement. This means that to reduce the chances of a silverfish infestation, you need to address any moisture problems in your home. Repair any leaky fixtures, install better ventilation, and get a dehumidifier – whatever you need to do to eliminate excess moisture.
What Do I Do?
Preventing a silverfish infestation is an extremely difficult feat to take on. Their tiny size allows them to slip through the smallest of cracks, so areas that you might think are sealed off can still be accessed by these sneaky intruders.
They’re difficult to find and even more difficult to control. Once they get inside, they are skilled at finding hiding places, and even then, they only come out at night. You can lower the humidity and moisture levels in your house, seal off all the cracks, and take a slew of other precautions, but the truth is that it’s almost impossible to prevent and eliminate a silverfish infestation all on your own.
The best way to eliminate silverfish from your home and keep them out for good is to call in the professionals. Our team of experts at Big Blue Bug Solutions is familiar with all the pests that are commonly found in the South Portland area. We are experienced in dealing with silverfish and we are eager to help you. We offer ongoing residential and commercial pest services that are customized to fit the specific needs of your home or business.
Call us today to schedule a consultation and inspection. We will take you through every step of the pest control process, walking you through the inspection as we point out points of entry and conducive conditions to infestation. Then we thoroughly treat your property and eliminate all traces of silverfish and any other pests that have invaded your home. We provide regular maintenance services throughout the year, and if the pests return between scheduled visits, we promise to return at no additional cost. If you suspect any sort of pest infestation, contact us immediately. We’re here to help.