Practical Guide to Silverfish Prevention and Control

What is Silverfish Prevention and Control?

Silverfish are scary looking little bugs, with lots of legs, shiny, scaley bodies, long antennae, and three “tails” on their rear ends. Their quick, slithery movements make them seem menacing, but they are not dangerous to humans. Silverfish do not pose a health risk and don’t bite people, but they can cause some serious damage to things like books, shoes, clothing, and vintage items. What’s more, they reproduce quickly and have a long lifespan—some living for as long as eight years—which means an infestation can get serious in a hurry. Silverfish prevention and control involves making your house an inhospitable place for these little creatures, and employing trusted strategies to eradicate them from your home.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

How do you know if you have a silverfish infestation? If there are silverfish in your home, you may notice them at night, particularly in humid areas of the house like your bathroom or basement. You might notice their droppings, which look like peppercorns, or shed skin, which is metallic and opaque. The worst way to find out you have silverfish in your home, however, is to realize that they have damaged your property. Silverfish love to eat starchy things like paper, fabric, and even wallpaper. They’ll raid your pantry for wheat, grains, and sugar, and they will eat the pages and the bindings out of books, because they enjoy glue just as much as they like paper.

Silverfish Prevention and Control in Action by Apex Pest Control in Sacramento, CA

What Causes a Silverfish Infestation?

Silverfish, like many insects, are attracted to moist environments. They have waxy, oily bodies that need moist, well-protected areas with at least 75 percent humidity, in order to thrive. Outside, they tend to live in leaf litter or under logs or rocks. Indoors, they will hide behind furniture, in basements, near sinks or inside books. Silverfish will come into your home looking for safe places to lay their eggs, good hiding spots, and plentiful food sources. Pet food, food scraps, dry goods, and dust are all favorites of silverfish, but they will also hide in your closet and eat your clothes, or hide in your bookshelf, dining on literature.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

Insect control can be tricky, especially when it comes to pests like silverfish. The first step is to thoroughly clean your house, dusting, vacuuming, washing textiles, and shampooing carpets. You will then need to either kill them or trap them, to remove them from your home. You can trap them in a rolled up newspaper, sprayed with water, or with a glass container with starchy food in it. After a few days, you can discard the newspaper, now filled with silverfish, or put a lid on the jar of silverfish and take it outside. To kill them, try sprinkling boric acid or diatomaceous earth on them. Diatomaceous earth is deadly to insects but only mildly abrasive to humans, and sprinkling it in areas where you see silverfish can be an effective way to get rid of them. Leave it on the floor for 24 hours, keeping children and pets away from it, and then vacuum it. You can sprinkle boric acid around, too, because it instantly kills silverfish. However, it can also be harmful to children and pets, so it requires extreme caution.

How to Prevent Silverfish: Naturally Effective Tricks and Tips

Knowing how to prevent silverfish in your home is the most important key to silverfish control. Additionally, even if you hate silverfish, bug extermination with chemicals may not be your first choice for your home. Fortunately, it just takes some simple, proactive measures to keep these pests out of your home.

Keep moisture levels low by repairing leaks promptly and using a dehumidifier.
Seal unused clothing and bedding in a large container or sealable bag.
Get rid of old books and magazines or store them in a sealed container.
Store starchy foods in air-tight containers.
Seal gaps, cracks, and crevices that might allow silverfish access to your home.
Use natural repellents, like cedar oil, to discourage infestations.

Why Choose Apex for Silverfish Pest Control?

For difficult pests like silverfish, it is best to call in the professionals. Our pest control experts know how to control a silverfish infestation and are experienced in silverfish extermination. Not only will they use proven methods to eliminate the silverfish, but they can help you determine what is causing the problem and come up with a strategy to make sure these pests don’t come back. Using integrated pest management methods and products and following up with maintenance checks to make sure the plan is working, Apex will help you achieve a pest-free home.

Contact Apex for Silverfish Pest Control Treatment

How do you prevent silverfish? Insects like silverfish can be hard to control, but Apex Pest Control has the knowledge and expertise to help you get rid of them for good. For over 40 years, our family owned business has provided comprehensive pest control services, tailored to meet the unique needs of Sacramento homeowners. Our team of dedicated professionals, led by experienced industry experts, provides expert service to safeguard homes and businesses against pests. Striving to be leaders in the pest control industry, we continuously improve our methods, staying abreast of the latest advancements in order to exceed our customers’ expectations by providing the highest quality of service. For more information about our pest control and preventative maintenance programs, take the first step towards a pest-free home by contacting us today to schedule a consultation.