Five Easy & Effective Silverfish Control Tips for Nashville Property Owners
There is no better way to wake up in the morning than being startled while you are brushing your teeth by one of these pests running across your bathroom mirror. The silverfish’s scaly flattened exterior and the plethora of antennae jutting out everywhere bears resemblance to a metallic alien fish. As nocturnal insects, they often scurry away when exposed to light. And when they scurry, they move incredibly fast, making them hard to catch.
Other than being startling, silverfish are harmless to people. Unlike other pests that may plague your Nashville home or business, silverfish don’t cause structural damage to homes or spread harmful pathogens. However, silverfish can be responsible for irreparable damage to personal possessions. And once these insects are inside your home, they can be hard to get rid of.
Urbanex is here to prevent a silverfish infestation in your home. And if they are in your home, we can get the silverfish out.
Silverfish Damage
Did you know that silverfish crave carbs and starches? That’s right. A common sight for someone with a silverfish infestation is a silverfish tumbling out of cereal box, a bag of flour, or a container of oats. Silverfish are most often found in kitchens, attics, and basements of homes. They enjoy moist, humid areas with dark corners. But the carbs and starches that you and I enjoy are not all that silverfish eat. Silverfish are known to consume paper, fabrics, and glue. They are known to destroy books, old family photo albums, and they can permanently stain clothes in a wardrobe. Industrious silverfish also eat each other.
One of the reasons silverfish are so hard to get rid of is because they can go up to a year without eating and a long time without drinking! A wax coating on their exoskeleton allows them to absorb moisture. That means that, if there is moisture in your home, it is likely that silverfish will unpack their suitcases. They also breed often and have a lifespan of up to eight years. You may think you have purged silverfish from your home only for them to resurface later. For this reason, prevention is key to protecting your home.
Five Tips for Preventing Silverfish Infestations in Your Home
Since prevention is key, focusing on places in your home that may be a preferred habitat for silverfish is a good place to start. Prevention starts both inside and outside your home. Here are five tips from the professionals at Urbanex to keep silverfish from infesting your home.
Eliminate any leaks in plumbing, clogged gutters, or areas where water could pool in your home.
Keep the outside of your home free from piles of damp or decaying leaves, grass, mulch, or wood.
Use a dehumidifier in humid areas of your home to decrease humidity.
Seal any cracks, gaps, or holes in your foundation and outer walls as these are prime entry points for silverfish.
Ensure that all enclosed areas of your home are well ventilated.
Just for you, we’re providing three bonus tips on preventing silverfish from invading.
Keeping surfaces dust-free and general cleanliness eliminates an important food source for silverfish.
Seal food in tight storage containers, eliminating access to possible food sources.
Store personal belongings in a dry place using bay leaves or cedar, which is known to help repel silverfish from your keepsakes.
We hope these prevention tips keep your home silverfish-free. But if they don’t, contact the professionals at Urbanex for total silverfish control. Say goodbye to pesky bugs forever, call us today.
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