What’s Buggin’ you?
SILVERFISH – What are they after? Why are they here?
What are they after? Why are they here? These are valid questions that may cross your mind when these slithering, creep crawly insects make their way into your home.
Otherwise known as ‘fishmoths’ (due to their fish-like movements and silvery light grey and blue color), these small, wingless pests are after the glues and pastes in the bindings of your magazines, books and papers. Although they are also quite fond of carbohydrates such as sugar, starches, and cereals, it’s the valuable documents, fabrics, prints and etchings they attack which cause the most concern to the homeowner. Silverfish enjoy moisture and because there is little molding behind which they can hide and the smooth bowl of wash basins or bathtubs make it difficult for them to get out, they are often spotted in bathrooms.
Silverfish are known as one of the most primitive of all insects. Some believe they evolved even before the cockroach. These insects are certainly long lived, known to survive for several years. Carrot-shaped, long and slender, these bugs are wide at the front-end and more narrow at the rear. Usual size is between a half to a full inch long with short legs, long slender antennae and three tail-like appendages called bristletails at the end of the body. There are 13 known species of silverfish in the United States, most of which can be found indoors, while a number of species establish themselves in the nests of ants, termites and birds. Silverfish prefer warm and temperate climates with lots of humidity. They can be found in basements and around water pipes and are commonly brought into new homes in cardboard cartons and books and papers that have come from infested sites. It is uncommon to find these insects outdoors.
Bringing about a change in the environment and effectively eradicating moisture in the immediate area of infestation will reduce potential harborages for these pests.
Keeping the health of the occupants of your home or structure as the first priority, we offer several different approved pest control techniques for the treatment of Silverfish. These methods may include handspraying, dusting, fogging, baiting and the use of residual crack and crevice aerosol products among other treatments. Because each occurrence is different, treatments will be employed as applicable in specific situations.
Silverfish are an unwelcome sight and can be unnerving, disrupting your peaceful home or building. It is for this reason that we suggest a recurring service plan for residential or commercial properties. This will maintain a healthy barrier around your structure should silverfish come crawling.
