Like most homeowners, you want to feel like you can completely relax in your home. The last thing that you want to worry about is pests lurking around.
Unfortunately, the New England area has an abundance of common household pests that are eager to make themselves comfortable in your home.
Silverfish is one common example of a pest that we frequently see in homes. While these pests can be a nuisance, there are effective ways to keep them out.
In this article, we will cover:
What do silverfish look like?
Signs of a silverfish infestation in the home
Areas in the house where silverfish are commonly found
How do silverfish get in your house?
How to get rid of silverfish in your house
Benefits of hiring professional pest control services
At the end of the day, we want you to feel comfortable in your own home and we know that pest prevention strategies are a huge part of that.
What do silverfish look like?
Silverfish are found all over the world but we often find that people don’t know much about them.
In terms of appearance, silverfish are shiny silver (or bluish-gray) insects with antennae. These pests have flat bodies and scales, which makes them resemble fish. This is where they get their name. They’re also said to move a lot like a fish as they slither about a room.
Silverfish can be anywhere from a half inch to an inch long.
Signs of a silverfish infestation in the home
There are a number of signs of silverfish in the home. Since silverfish eat paper, you might find them munching on wallpaper, books, toilet paper, or even clothing. Signs of damage to items like these around your home is also evidence of silverfish.
Other signs of a possible infestation include:
- Stains on wallpaper or other paper items
- Droppings
- Shed skin
- Holes
Since silverfish are nocturnal, you might notice them slithering about in the nighttime hours. They are big enough to spot.
Areas in the house where silverfish are commonly found
Silverfish prefer moist and humid areas of the home so you are most likely to find them in bathrooms, basements, and crawl spaces. Homeowners also commonly tell us they have spotted silverfish crawling out of sinks or bathtubs.
Silverfish don’t want to be spotted so they’ll make an effort to hide, particularly during the daylight hours. These pests might hide behind door frames, windows, and curtains until they have a chance to come out at night.
How do silverfish get in your house?
Like most pests that find their way inside, silverfish are in search of three things: food, shelter, and water. Most houses will easily supply all three of these items and are much more cozy than the outdoors (where they have to deal with harsh conditions).
Just like other pests, silverfish can find their way inside through tiny cracks and crevices or other openings to the outdoors. It doesn’t take much for these pests to sneak in.
Since they love cardboard, silverfish can also hitch a ride on packages left sitting on your porch. They may be munching on these when they get brought inside.
While many people worry that silverfish are harmful, they do not bite. They do not have strong jaws and they are scared of humans. However, silverfish do poop a lot (gross!) and can contaminate feed. Some people may also be allergic to silverfish droppings or to their shed skin.
How to get rid of silverfish in your house
There are several steps you can take for silverfish pest control.
- Get rid of crumbs: One step that will help deter pests (in general) is to make your best possible effort at getting rid of crumbs. This means frequently vacuuming and wiping off counters. It also means sealing up food containers and not leaving food sitting out.
- Seal up cracks: As we mentioned, most of the time pests make their way inside via cracks, crevices, or other openings in the home. Silverfish also love cardboard and may hitch a ride on any packages you have sitting outside. Be sure to check packages before bringing them in.
- Dehumidify and get rid of water: Because silverfish love damp spaces, dehumidifying and getting rid of water is another vital step for silverfish pest control. Make an effort to keep your basement dry (this is important for other reasons, too!) and be careful about keeping showers and tubs dry, too.
- Invest in pest control: Investing in pest control services that involve treating the exterior of your home will also keep silverfish and other pest out of the house in the first place.
Benefits of hiring professional pest control services
One of the biggest benefits of hiring professional pest control services is that you’ll be taking preventative steps to keep silverfish and other pests away. Because pest control is about keeping pests out of the home in the first place, the treatments are largely focused outside of the home.
By treating around the perimeter of your home, we can create a shield that keeps many of the pests mentioned above from making their way inside in the first place.
That’s the ultimate solution…to keep pests out.
After all, you don’t want to give these pests the chance to become a major infestation. The biggest trouble with pests like these is that once they’re comfortable inside of your home, they might begin to quickly multiply.
Choosing Pest Control in Southern New Hampshire, Maine, & Northeastern Massachusetts
Your wise choice in a pest control service can make a huge difference in keeping silverfish and other pests out of your house in the first place.
At Seacoast Turf Care, serving New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine, our pest control services cover silverfish along with most of the common household pests. It also covers mice.
With effective, quarterly treatments, you can keep many pests out of your home. This is important as sometimes a simple bug problem can become a full-blown infestation if given the chance. Certain pests, like German Cockroaches (as an example), can breed quickly and become a major problem if given the opportunity.
If you truly want peace of mind that you’re keeping pests away, investing in professional pest control is a wise choice. By taking the right steps, you’ll be able to get back to enjoying life as usual.
Want to learn more about how pest control services can protect your family and give you peace of mind? At Seacoast Turf Care, we service NH towns near Stratham, North Hampton, Exeter and many more. Get pest control pricing for your Southern NH, Southern Maine, or Northeastern Massachusetts property.
Image Source: cardboard box, silverfish
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