Silverfish Extermination & Control for Cape Cod Area Homes & Businesses

Silverfish are a relatively common household pest. These pests are fairly harmless to human health — they cannot bite humans or transmit diseases. Still, dealing with a silverfish infestation can be frustrating and time-consuming and may cause significant damage to your property. To prevent an infestation in your home or business, it can be helpful first to understand what silverfish are, along with the signs and causes of an infestation.

Sometimes home remedies for prevention and removal of an infestation of silverfish may be helpful. In most cases, pest control experts like Pest Pros are the best and most effective way to ensure your home or business has been fully cleared of silverfish.

How to Identify a Silverfish

Silverfish identification is fairly simple, as these household pests are generally found indoors. They are small — only about a 3/4-inch long when fully grown. True to their name, silverfish are typically silver or gray in color. They also have two distinct antennae and three bristles that extend from their teardrop-shaped bodies. Silverfish feed on starches and proteins, such as those found in grains, sugars, fibers and fabrics. Silverfish often enter a home or other property by burrowing in these protein-rich products. They can also enter through windows and doors, and other cracks and entry points throughout the property in question.

Nearly any type of property is at risk for a silverfish infestation. However, these pests often snack on delicate fabrics, wallpapers, paper, glue and other textiles. As such, silverfish can pose a more significant threat to historic buildings or homes that contain vintage fabrics and book collections. When a silverfish eats something, it leaves dark spots and discoloration behind, in many cases causing irreversible damage to valued items in a person’s home or business.

You can often find silverfish in your home in a few different locations. First, they prefer dark, damp places. You may find them in bathrooms, basements and pantries. Silverfish also cluster in places where their food sources are plentiful. Think bookshelves, desks, boxes of paper and clothes closets.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish can move rather quickly and try to hide their presence from humans. As such, it’s relatively unlikely that your first identification of these pests will be by catching sight of them. It’s much more common that you will find evidence of their presence in your property by their feeding marks.

Silverfish feeding marks are most commonly found in books, papers, wallpapers and various textiles, like silk. These feeding marks may appear as dark spots or general discoloration of the infested items. Feeding marks themselves may appear as notches, small holes and scratches or etches along the surface of an item. Other common indicators of a silverfish infestation include yellow stains, small insect scales or feces that look like small black pellets. If you notice some or all these signs in your home, especially in a sensitive area like a bookcase or pantry, you may have a silverfish infestation.

If you want to find the silverfish themselves, search in damp or dark places, like bathrooms, basements, attics, kitchen cabinets and pantries. If you suspect that your property may be infested with silverfish, contact a pest removal professional. These professionals will be able to use their expertise to assess the extent of the infestation.

The Causes of a Silverfish Infestation

If you live in a damp climate or have problems with dampness and moisture inside your home, you are likely at a higher risk of silverfish infestation than those who do not. The reason these pests seek to enter your property at all is most often in search of food. Given their desire for food, as previously stated, silverfish will most likely seek out damp, dark locations in which they have easy access to food.

Keep in mind that silverfish are incredibly common and discreet pests. While general home cleanliness and maintenance can prevent most insects and pests, avoiding them altogether is nearly impossible. Silverfish are indoor pests, so as long as their living conditions and food sources remain unchanged, they can continue to lay eggs and multiply inside your property. As such, it’s important to address any potential silverfish infestation the moment you suspect they’re there.

How to Prevent Silverfish From Entering Your Home or Business

One of the best ways to avoid silverfish from entering your home in the first place is to reduce moisture and humidity levels. Property owners can address issues of dampness in their homes or business in a few ways. Regular roof maintenance and repairs, as well as caulking around doors and windows, can help seal your property from moisture entering from the outside. Indoors, ensure that your pipes do not have any leaks. You can also wipe out sinks, showers and bathtubs after use. Using dehumidifiers, especially in moisture-prone areas of the home, is another technique for reducing dampness and thus making your property less attractive to silverfish.

You should also be conscientious about the items that you bring into your home. Carefully inspect all groceries, as well as cardboard and paper goods, for the presence of silverfish before you bring them inside.

How to Remove Silverfish From Your Home or Business

Many home remedies and DIY treatments for ridding your home of a silverfish infestation can be effective. These can include the use of essential oils, borax or diatomaceous earth around areas where you suspect the pests are lurking. Some recommend changing the locations of your stored food, as well as more secure food storage techniques. However, most home remedies are not wholly reliable and may cost you time, stress and money. Only professional extermination experts will be able to fully assess the level of infestation, and only professionals will be able to ensure a complete, cost-effective silverfish removal for your property.

Contact Pest Pros for a Free Pest Inspection

Pest Pros are pest control experts that you can trust with all your extermination needs. With over twenty years of experience and expertise, we at Pest Pros have established ourselves as experts and proven leaders in pest removal. Skilled at eliminating pests from both homes and businesses, you can trust that Pest Pros will deliver top-quality service and excellent customer service. Contact Pest Pros today for silverfish extermination near Cape Cod and get a free inspection. You’ll be one step closer to the peace of mind that comes from a pest-free home and business.