As winter continues in Florida, silverfish can be increasingly found taking residence in homes throughout the state. Seemingly harmless, they can cause damage to your belongings if left untreated. If you find these unwanted intruders in your home, Nvirotect Pest Control Services is proud to offer the best pest control in Tampa to help your home become silverfish-free.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are insects that thrive in dark, damp environments. Their name comes from their silvery, metallic appearance and their fish-like movement style. They are wingless and typically only around .33 inches long. Silverfish are nocturnal and are very rarely seen during the daytime.
Silverfish do not pose a threat to human health but can destroy property. They have an appetite for starchy materials, such as paper and wood, but can also feed on sugars, linens, silk, cotton, and even food sources such as vegetables, cereals, and dried meat. They are highly attracted to the glue in bookbindings and cardboard.
Identifying Silverfish Within Your Home
Silverfish are typically found in dark, damp, and temperature-controlled spaces within the home, usually in bathrooms and basements. If you notice any of these signs, you should reach out to a pest control service in Tampa like Nvirotect Pest Control Services immediately to have them removed.
- Damaged paper and clothing: One of the most common signs that silverfish are on your property is damage to potential food sources, such as paper items and clothing.
- Feces: Silverfish droppings are another sign that they have entered your home. Their feces looks like small black dots that can resemble peppercorns and can leave yellowish stains.
- Yellow stains: Yellow urine stains on susceptible items can be an indicator of their presence.
- Molted exoskeletons: Shed silverfish skin is small and filled with almost translucent metallic scales. They shed their skin even throughout adulthood.
- Musty odor: Silverfish can emit a musky odor that smells like damp cardboard in areas where they are.
Silverfish Prevention
- Reduce moisture: Silverfish prefer to be in humid environments and can potentially be prevented by ensuring that your home is dry and well-ventilated. You can use dehumidifiers in damper areas and should immediately fix any leaks, should they occur.
- Seal potential entry points: Take time to seal all cracks and gaps in walls, floors, and around pipes. Pay special attention to areas where plumbing and electrical lines enter your home.
- Declutter your space: Silverfish tend to feed on materials such as cellulose, paper, linen, and cotton. Keeping your home tidy and organized helps eradicate any potential hiding spots. For areas with books, magazines, and clothing, make sure to tidy up and organize regularly. Remove cardboard from inside the home and replace it with plastic bins.
- Ensure that potential food sources are properly stored: Store all food items in airtight containers to prevent silverfish from being attracted to them. Due to their eating tendencies, store any out-of-season clothing and other susceptible items in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Get regular pest inspections: One of the most guaranteed ways to prevent silverfish from damaging your property is to get regular inspections and treatment when needed from a pest control service in Tampa like Nvirotect Pest Control Services.
What Should You Do if You Have Silverfish in Your Home?
If you find signs of silverfish in your home, you should immediately reach out to Nvirotect Pest Control Services for the best pest control in Tampa for protection and the highest quality treatment.
