Pest Problems
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At first glance, silverfish seem like they came from outer space. They have the typical shape of an invader from a space opera, and if you are squeamish to bugs, it’s going to be unpleasant even looking at them. Silverfish might seem like they come out in certain seasons, but the truth is they are an all-year-round pest. If your house offers the right conditions (and in most times it does), your place will be constantly infested.
In this blog post, the Fantastic Services team will explain why your house has become a breeding ground for these pesky insects, where you could find them and how to get rid of silverfish for good. They usually come into the house from the drains. So, this is for all of you who have noticed a silverfish emerging from the drain.
Another name for silverfish is “fishmoth”. They have nothing in common with fish though. Their colour varies from pale to dark silver and they have antennae and prongs on their tails. Silverfish breed very fast, so if you notice one, you can be sure there are a lot more hiding from view.
The things that mostly attract silverfish to your property is moisture and starch. They adore dark and damp places, which is why it’s very common to see them emerging from the drains. A bathroom is humid, so your bathtub drain, your sink drain, and your shower drain are a welcoming entrance into your house.
Fortunately for you, silverfish are completely harmless. They aren’t known to spread any diseases to humans, or pets. They don’t bite or spray any toxins. They like to nibble on starchy materials but aren’t known to cause any property damage as moths do for example. All in all, they’re only a nuisance.
It’s not hard to realise you have a silverfish infestation. Depending on the size of their colony, you’ll notice the following signs.
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Now that you know silverfish are coming out of your drains, it’s time to do something about it. Here are the most effective ways to get rid of a silverfish infestation.
Broken drains and leaky pipes attract silverfish the most. Make sure to inspect your piping system regularly and fix whenever you notice a problem. Not only will you keep the silverfish away, but you’ll also extend the life of your piping system, which would spare you an array of other maintenance problems.
You can make your own silverfish trap with sticky tape, or you can buy a silverfish trap from your local home improvement store. The silverfish will walk onto the trap and die. After that, you should immediately dispose of it and replace it with a new one.
Spray a commercial anti-pest product around the drains and pipes. Make sure the surface is not wet, otherwise the substance will get pasty and the silverfish will avoid it. Do the same around cracks and crevices that would be an easy spot for the silverfish to hide.
Diatomaceous Earth is a white crumbly powder consisting of the fossilized remains of diatoms. When silverfish come in contact with diatomaceous earth, they lose the waxy coating of their exoskeleton, become dehydrated and die. And once the environment becomes this hostile, you can be sure the rest will slowly leave your place.
If you ever notice silverfish in other places, you should immediately do something about it so you don’t let their colony grow. Or if you managed to drive them away, you should make sure they won’t come back. After all, if your house is an unpleasant habitat, they won’t set foot in it.
As you’ve learned already, silverfish don’t a present danger to your health or home, but if their population grows, they can become a serious nuisance. The ones that only lived in your drains would probably find other hiding spots and breed uncontrollably until there is no room without them present.
If this happens, you will need to employ professionals to put the situation under control. The reliable pest control team from Fantastic Services is always here to aid you!
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Bug infestations of any kind are an unpleasant sight, so it’s important to do something about them as soon as you notice the first signs. Prevention is always the best medicine, so don’t wait until the situation goes out of control. Or, if you don’t have the time or desire for it, you can always rely on professional pest controllers.
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Have you ever had a silverfish infestation? How did you manage it? Or do you have one now? Ask your questions in the comments!
Image source: Shutterstock / JorgeOrtiz_1976
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