Silverfish Identification
What Are Silverfish?
Unpleasant to look at and even more unpleasant to see scurrying across your bathroom floor, silverfish are unique pests that often invade our San Diego County, CA homes. Their name was partially derived from their high moisture needs and partly from how they move – in a wriggly fish-like manner. Another fishy detail of the silverfish is that their teardrop-shaped body is covered in metallic or pearly scales. These insects also have long antennae and three long bristle-like structures that extend from their backend.
Are Silverfish Dangerous?
While silverfish look like something you should fear, in reality, they are harmless to people. When living outside, they cause us no real issues. But, when they live close to our houses, it increases the chances these pests will eventually wriggle their way into our homes.
While silverfish aren’t the most damaging pests to ever invade your home, they are unwanted. Silverfish contaminate food and cause damage to papers and other personal belongings. If silverfish have found a way into your home, so will other (potentially more dangerous) pests.
Why Do I Have a Silverfish Problem?
Our outdoor spaces often provide silverfish with suitable places to live successfully. Damp soil, gardens, mulch, landscaping materials, and areas under trash cans and outdoor plant pots are common places to find silverfish. When it becomes too hot and dry where they are, these insects move indoors searching for damp living conditions, often migrating into our homes and outbuildings (garages and sheds). Silverfish move inside at ground level through spaces they discover in foundations and openings under doors.
Where Will I Find Silverfish?
Silverfish love to hide in storage areas, closets, basements, crawl spaces, and pantries as they all provide them with plenty of food to consume. Indoors, silverfish feed on various things, including items made of starch or cellulose, dead insects, and dry pantry items. They prefer dark, damp areas, which allow them to stay hidden; you typically only see silverfish scurrying about your home in the case of a large infestation.
When pests invade your home or business, you don’t need empty promises; you need proven results. At Allswell, we train our technicians to meet the highest standards set forth by the Pest Licensing Board so that you receive the service you need. We also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which leaves you with nothing to worry about and a pest-free home or business to enjoy.
How Do I Get Rid of Silverfish?
The easiest way to control problems with silverfish and other household pests is to partner with an experienced, local professional. To keep your San Diego home free of silverfish, turn to Allswell. Here, we have the comprehensive, year-round solutions to your pest problems. Using the most current technology and pest control methods, our professionals provide peace of mind and a home or business free of pests. For more information about the pest control services Allswell provides throughout Southern California, reach out to us today!
How Can I Prevent Silverfish in the Future?
Prevent problems with silverfish by implementing effective pest control services from Allswell. Also, use the following tips to prevent issues with silverfish in your North County San Diego home:
- Eliminate humid environments in your house where silverfish thrive. Use dehumidifiers in your basement, ventilate your crawl space, and use air conditioners to dry out the air.
- Seal up dry goods like cereals, flour, and sugar silverfish love to feed on. Store these items in containers with airtight lids.
- Get rid of any leaf litter and rake back mulch from the foundation of your home.
- Remove things from your yard silverfish can hide under like rocks, logs, and woodpiles. Store trash cans and recycling bins up off of the ground.
- Clear out the clutter from your home that provides a damp hideout for silverfish like cardboard boxes and piles of magazines or papers.
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