Have you recently noticed silverfish appearing in or around your home? These slender insects can be white, brownish-grey or bluish-silver in color, covered with fine scales and can grow up to ¾ of an inch in length. They prefer to make their home in dark and damp places like attics, basements, bathrooms and kitchens. Silverfish can also be found in garages and sheds that have stored boxes of paper or damp clothing.
Silverfish are very secretive and a large population may remain hidden for a long time. Most likely, you may have found one or two in your sink, bathtub or floor. The adult females lay eggs almost continuously in cracks and crevices. In addition, silverfish adapt well to almost any environment but will develop even faster in areas with high humidity.
Because these insects eat carbohydrates like sugar and starches, everyday household items like shampoo, linen, silk and glue within book bindings become food for them. Most often, you may see the damage they cause to paper, clothing or wallpaper before you realize that you may have a silverfish infestation. Even if you’ve only found a few silverfish in your home, the damage from their feeding is a possible sign of a larger problem.
If you do suspect a silverfish population, calling a professional exterminator for an evaluation is your best choice. The insecticides and traps sold over-the-counter can kill a few insects but aren’t able to get at the heart of the problem. Do-it-yourself treatments are mostly superficial and won’t completely eliminate a silverfish infestation. Your best option is to contact your local Nashville pest control company to exterminate the entire silverfish population and their eggs.
