Silverfish get their name from their silvery, metallic look, and fish-like look and movements. These bugs are typically 12-19mm in length and have three bristles on their rear. They have a flat body that is often compared to a teardrop or carrot.
These fish-like bugs can be found throughout homes in the U.S. They love dark, humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics. They especially like damp paper and clothing, and can often be found in boxes.
Silverfish are known for their destructive eating. They will destroy paper, clothing, and wallpapers. They love sugars and starches and can often be found eating away at cellulose, glue in books, shampoo, linen, silk, and other dead insects.
To know if you have a silverfish problem, keep an eye out for some of these signs. They typically leave feeding marks such as holes, notches along an edge, or surface etchings. You can also find yellow stains, scales, and/or tiny feces that look like black-pepper pellets. A lot of people notice that they have a silverfish problem when they come down on ceiling soffits or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures.
If you have a silverfish problem that is localized inside your house, you can assume that you brought them inside with you on food material, such as a box. If the infestation is widespread, you should start looking outside. If you have items stored against or near your house’s exterior, you should move or remove them immediately. Silverfish can easily climb up walls and get into your house through windows, door frames, utility pipes, and vents.
You could also try using a dehumidifier to fix the problem, repair leaky pipes and drains, and repair any moldy or wet wood. You should also try to avoid keeping old books and magazines in your basement, attic, or garage or leave flour and sugar in unsealed containers.
If you suspect or notice that you have a silverfish problem, it’s best to call a licensed pest control professional like Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions to properly inspect the home. Call us today at 901-377-9915 or visit our website to get the job done right.