Silverfish Pest Control

Silverfish are primitive, wingless, carrot-shaped insects covered in a fine layer of silvery scales. They have long antennae and three long bristles on their rear. They move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish, hence the name. Silverfish are nocturnal and secretive, which means an infestation may go undetected for a long time. They also reproduce quickly and typically live for two to eight years. Silverfish pest control can be difficult due to this hard-to-detect nature, but Braman is ready to identify and apply silverfish control methods.

What really makes silverfish notorious are their destructive feeding habits. Silverfish eat carbohydrates, particularly sugars and starches, and will feed on shampoos, glue, book bindings, dead bugs, historical documents, dandruff, hair, some paints, paper, plaster, cotton, silk, linen and even their own exoskeletons after they molt! Given the remarkable range of their diets, it may be surprising to learn that silverfish can survive for weeks without eating.

Silverfish are capable of thriving in most climates, but prefer dark, damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, attics and basements. They are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing and are commonly found in stored boxes in garages and sheds, where the glue holding corrugated boxes together serves as a perfect food source. In fact, they are often introduced into new locations via cardboard boxes of books and papers from a previously infested location.

Silverfish do not pose a threat to humans or pets because they do not bite or spread disease. However, they can cause damage throughout your home because of their wide array of food choices. They are known to infest items made of paper including your wallpaper, books and envelopes, leading to damage over time. Female silverfish lay between one to three eggs per day, so you could have a long-term infestation on your hands if you don’t act quickly.

Most of the time, you will see a silverfish on the floor or in a sink or bathtub which they are unable to escape due to the slippery surface. They can also leave clues in the form of damage to the areas where they feed and, in their feces, which looks like tiny flecks of pepper.

Silverfish are controlled primarily by changing the environment in which they thrive. Their immatures develop faster in areas that are humid, so one of the best ways to prevent an infestation is to control humidity. Prior to our silverfish removal service, you should dehumidify crawl spaces and basements, repack stored items in plastic containers and dispose of cardboard boxes. You can also clean up other dead bugs in your home, which are a potential food source for silverfish. Pesticidal dusts, liquids, and baits are employed to defeat this difficult pest.

If you think you have an infestation of silverfish, contact Braman immediately.