Have you noticed irregular holes, yellow stains, or black pepper-like droppings on your books, clothes, or pantry items? If so, you might have a silverfish infestation. Silverfish are small, wingless insects that have a silvery-gray color and a fish-like movement. These pests are about half an inch long, with a tapered body that has no obvious segments. Silverfish have two long antennae on their head and three tail-like appendages on their rear end.
With such a unique appearance, you may be wondering to yourself, “Do silverfish bite?” Fortunately, silverfish do not bite and are harmless to humans. However, they can cause damage to your belongings, especially paper, fabric, and food products. Silverfish are mostly active at night to search for a food source, feeding on starches, sugars, and proteins.
Silverfish Prevention Tips
- Silverfish like to hide in dark, humid, and out-of-reach areas. To make your home a more unsuitable environment for them, reduce the humidity and moisture levels in your home. Use a dehumidifier, a fan, or an exhaust fan to improve ventilation in damp areas. Fix any leaks or drips in your plumbing.
- Silverfish are small and can enter through the smallest hole or gap. To prevent silverfish from entering your home, seal any gaps or cracks in your walls, floors, windows, or doors. Check any boxes, books, or furniture before bringing them inside for signs of silverfish activity. It is best to avoid buying second-hand items that might be infested with silverfish.
- Silverfish can damage your belongings. To prevent this, store them in plastic containers or bags with tight lids. This includes clothes, books, papers, photos, and other items that contain starch or glue. You may even find that adding some natural repellents to your storage containers, such as basil, cedar, cloves, or lavender, can help as well.
To get rid of silverfish that are already in your home, you can use some DIY pest control methods, including setting sticky traps with bait (such as breadcrumbs or oatmeal) in infested areas. But if you find the infestation has gotten out of hand and you need assistance, we recommend calling your local Florida pest control company to avoid any further irreparable damage to your belongings.
