If you’re like a lot of homeowners, the last thing you want to worry about is a bunch of unwanted pests making their way into your space. Unfortunately, bugs outnumber us by 1.4 billion to 1!
We’re not kidding…recent research has shown that there are approximately 1.4 billion insects per person living on this planet.
While many of those are microscopic, there are also lots of larger bugs that you really don’t want making their way into your home. One of those is the silverfish. In this article, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about silverfish in Ohio, including how to keep them out of your home.
What Does a Silverfish Look Like?
Before we talk about how to get rid of them, let’s cover what this pest is all about.
Silverfish are found around the world. You might be wondering what attracts silverfish? Just like any other pest, they’re looking for food, shelter, and water…which may lead them inside.
They prefer damp, dark, and cool places. In your home, that makes basements, bathrooms, and crawl spaces a favorite hang-out spot for these pests. You might find silverfish in bathtubs, sinks, and “hiding places'' in your home like behind door frames and windows.
As far as what they look like, silverfish are shiny silver insects with antennae. They have flat bodies and scales, which makes them resemble fish (hence the name).
Are Silverfish Harmful?
For the most part, silverfish are just nuisance pests. They won’t bite you, however, they can contaminate your food and potentially cause problems in your home.
Grossest of all, silverfish leave behind a lot of poop when eating food and can also cause stains because of this.
Silverfish are also known to eat glue which means they can eat glue in wallpaper, carpet, or furniture coverings, which can lead to problems. Silverfish also feed on paper and linens. That means an infestation of silverfish can lead to a lot of damage.
Getting Rid of Silverfish: 4 Helpful Tips
We know that you want to find out how to prevent silverfish in the first place. After all, once they’re in your home, you don’t want to risk getting an infestation.
Here are four things to try.
#1: Seal Up All Food and Vacuum Crumbs
Since silverfish are attracted to food in your home, putting food sealed in containers is one way to keep them out.
You should also vacuum regularly and wipe down counters to ensure crumbs are cleaned.
#2: Dehumidify and Get Rid of Water
Because silverfish prefer damp spaces, getting rid of excess water can help keep them away as well. You can reduce dampness in the basement with a dehumidifier. Also be careful to keep showers, tubs, and sinks clean and dry.
You can also take care to avoid standing water in your yard, particularly in flower beds that might be around your foundation. You want to avoid attracting silverfish to your home in the first place.
#3: Seal Cracks
Silverfish lay their eggs in cracks and crevices so sealing them off can help prevent this from happening. Cracks around your home’s foundation are also common ways that these pests make their way inside.
Look for tears in screens, as well. While some entry points are tough to seal up, do the best you can as this will keep silverfish (and other pests) from getting in.
#4: Invest in Perimeter Pest Control
Finally, one of the best ways to get rid of silverfish is to invest in pest control services. This service is performed outside of the home as a proactive measure to prevent bugs from coming inside in the first place.
The best way for us to describe perimeter pest control is to use the analogy of a shield. When treating around the perimeter of your home with a pest control product, we are essentially creating a “shield” that keeps bugs away.
And in addition to keeping silverfish out of your home, it will work on other pests too. This includes spiders, ants, pill bugs, and centipedes.
Perimeter Pest Control in Cincinnati, Dayton, OH and Northern Kentucky
When it comes to getting all the benefits of perimeter pest control services, you want to choose an outdoor pest control company that you can trust.
At Oasis Turf & Tree, we use some of the same high-quality products that exterminators use but at an affordable price. This helps us to be effective against silverfish in Ohio…and lots of other pests, too.
By taking the right steps, you can keep bugs away and get back to enjoying life as usual.
If you’d like to learn more about perimeter pest control for your Cincinnati, Dayton, OH, or Northern Kentucky home, call us at 513-697-9090 or get your quote online and help us find the program that is best for you, then sit back and relax knowing these pests are being kept away.
Image: silverfish