Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are insects that are small, wingless, have six legs, and resemble a small fish. These unsightly creatures have a body that rarely exceeds a ½ inch long with a scaly texture and long antennae. Silverfish have proven to be extremely resilient, as they can adapt to various settings and survive for months without food.
Silverfish have a lifespan of several years and prefer to live in damp and humid environments, meaning that they might be found in basements, bathing areas, and below sinks. They are surprisingly quick and elusive pests that are most active at night and can lay eggs all year long. Once indoors, they can reproduce rapidly and potentially damage property such as furniture and personal belongings.
Are Silverfish Dangerous Creatures?
Despite their distinctive and creepy appearance, silverfish pose minimal health risks to humans. Silverfish do not bite humans or pets and eat a very unusual diet, including cellulose, starch, and glue-like materials, such as might exist in books, wallpaper, wool, and leather. When consuming an object, they create small holes in the material and yellowish stains that may result in damage to sentimental items or expensive replacement costs.
Some of the Best Practices for Preventing Silverfish
Among the most common tips for prevention include:
- Keep in mind that silverfish tend to multiply quickly, so promptly responding to an intrusion is strongly encouraged.
- Silverfish can navigate through tiny openings; therefore, sealing up cracks in the lower exterior of the structure is very important.
- Repair any holes in window screens and install sweeps on the bases of exterior doors that may allow entry.
- Limiting unnecessary accumulations of water and moisture is critical, meaning that leaky plumbing should be fixed.
- Reduce moisture buildup by keeping exhaust fans on when showering, ensuring that basements and crawlspaces have sufficient ventilation, and using a dehumidifier in areas as needed.
The Many Benefits of Having Assistance From a Professional Exterminator
While many do-it-yourselfers should be praised for their initiative, effort, and willingness to work hard, pest-related problems are typically best left to licensed professionals. Many of the pests that move indoors in the Charlotte region tend to expand their presence by establishing nests that are well dug in within walls or beneath the flooring in hard-to-reach areas. Some individuals will buy retail pest treatment options from local home improvement stores that are marketed with boastful claims of being quick and easy, which unfortunately are insufficient for expelling deeply entrenched infestations.
A professional pest control company will have a specialist visit the property to conduct a thorough interior and exterior inspection to determine the type(s) of pests involved and the extent of the intrusion. After careful analysis, they will propose the best available treatment plan. A professional pest control company will also stand behind the quality of the services they perform with a customer satisfaction guarantee.
Leading Charlotte-Area Provider of Pest Control Solutions
Both residential and commercial customers rely on Go-Forth Home Services for comprehensive services that include eliminating rodents, bed bugs, termites, and various other unwanted pests that might pose health risks and create property damage. Our technicians know that you have a busy schedule and want to have the pests eradicated quickly; therefore, we operate in a highly efficient manner.
Further evidence of our commitment to delivering the best customer service in the industry is that Go-Forth Home Services became accredited with the Better Business Bureau back in 1973 and has continued to maintain a rating of A+. We also now use many of the products that have been recommended for the safety of humans and the ecosystem by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many other industry leaders. Contact our office today to speak with one of our friendly specialists.