Silverfish; now that’s a name you don’t hear every day! There is a good chance you heard about these curious insects in school but haven’t heard their name since. That is until they started causing trouble around your Mooresville home. If you are here today seeking answers about the tiny silver insects chewing holes through your personal belongings, you have come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about silverfish including why they invade Mooresville homes.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, oddly shaped insects that invade homes and cause trouble with their insistent chewing. Also known as a “bristletail”, a silverfish is best identified by its ¾” long, fish-shaped body, distinct metallic silver color, and bristle-like tails. Each silverfish has three bristle tails at their rear and two long antennae at their front. These pests use their front antennae to navigate their surroundings at night when they are most active.
Something you should know about silverfish is that they are speedy. Despite their small size, these agile insects outrun centipedes and wandering spiders without breaking a sweat. This is an impressive feat considering that a centipede can run 16 inches a second.
There is nothing a silverfish loves more than a moist environment. For this reason, these pests will gravitate towards basements, crawlspaces, and other humid areas around a home. If your home has trouble staying dry, expect these pests to be drawn inside.
The Problems Silverfish Cause
Silverfish are not dangerous pests, and they aren’t even that annoying, so why fret about them? Well, you’ll definitely fret when you consider holes chewed through your clothing, upholstery, and paper. You’ll really fret when you discover damage to your carpet, shades, and bed coverings. The good news is that silverfish don’t damage fabrics quickly, meaning you’ll have time to react if you find these pests inside your home.
How Silverfish Get into Homes
Since silverfish love hiding out in tight spaces, it is not uncommon for these pests to be brought indoors inside storage boxes. Keep this in mind each time you pull out boxes of decorations for the holidays.
Another way silverfish invade is by crawling through gaps, cracks, and other openings in a home’s exterior. Torn window/door screens, damaged weather stripping, and improperly installed door sweep also make common entry points for these pests.
Prevention Tips for Silverfish
Despite their small size and ability to avoid human interaction, silverfish are preventable pests. To keep these destructive insects out of your Mooresville home, here are a few tips we recommend you try:
- Use a caulk gun to seal gaps, holes, and cracks in your home’s exterior.
- Repair damage to window/door screens, weatherstripping, and door sweeps.
- Address problems with your home’s gutter system.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.
- Use a dehumidifier inside your home to keep moisture levels down.
- Check stored boxes thoroughly before bringing them into your home.
- Thoroughly clean your home and prioritize dusting.
- Store dry food inside sealed containers.
A Better Way to Eliminate and Prevent Silverfish
The most effective way to handle silverfish is with professional pest control services. At Lake Norman Home Services, we take pest problems seriously. To ensure your home gets the best service possible we only use advanced pest exclusion and elimination techniques and equip our team with the best commercial pest control products available.
With an accreditation from the BBB, Angie’s List Super Service Award, and a high rating on Home Advisor, you don’t have to wonder if we are the right choice for you. Contact our team today to learn more about our pest control services and schedule your home for a silverfish inspection.