There are a variety of pests you might deal with as a Westchester homeowner, and while you might be familiar with some, you might have questions about others. You’re likely aware that pests like cockroaches and rodents can be dangerous, you might wonder about other insects that you notice around your property.
Silverfish are one pest that has a rather gross and creepy appearance and because of this, you might assume they are dangerous. While any insect in your home can be disgusting, silverfish are not dangerous as they don’t pose health risks to humans. They can do minimal damage to your property, but this is on a much smaller level than pests like termites and rodents.
If you’ve never heard of silverfish before, here is a brief overview of what they look like:
- They are usually silver but can also be brown.
- They have a body shape that is thicker at their heads and gets thinner toward the end of their bodies.
- They have long antennae and also feelers coming from their hind ends.
Why Do Silverfish Come Indoors?
When you notice pests in your home, you may wonder what is driving them inside. The main reason why silverfish make their way indoors is that they’re in search of an environment that provides them shelter and food sources.
Silverfish are especially attracted to moisture-rich environments as they need humidity to live. When found in homes they tend to hang out in damp areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They also prefer warmth which makes them more prevalent in the spring and summer months.
Lastly, silverfish might come inside your Westchester home as it’s a good place for them to find food. They eat carbohydrates including flour, oats, cardboard boxes, and even glue. They also sometimes eat protein from things like dried meat and other insects.
Why Is It Hard To Keep Silverfish Out?
Silverfish can be more difficult to get rid of than some pests because they have such versatile diets. Because they enjoy eating so many things that are found in homes, it can be hard to keep them from coming inside. With your home providing a rich environment for them to both eat and hide, keeping them out in the first place can be difficult. However, there are some things you can do to help prevent them.
Ways To Prevent Silverfish
Completely preventing silverfish isn’t always possible as even with your best efforts they could still come into your home. But, these prevention tips can help make your house less attractive and hospitable for these insects. The best way to keep them out is to address some of the underlying factors that make your home attractive to silverfish in the first place.
Here are a few prevention steps you can follow:
- Address moisture issues by using dehumidifiers and fixing leaky pipes.
- Inspect any second-hand books or any cardboard boxes before bringing them into your home.
- Ensure that your home, especially areas like bathrooms and kitchens, are well-ventilated.
- Deep clean regularly and get rid of old cardboard boxes and other forms of clutter.
- Contact pest control professionals for help.
The Best Way To Get Rid of Silverfish
While you might be tempted to try to get rid of silverfish on your own, the best and safest way to do so is to contact the professionals at Parkway Pest Services. Instead of dealing with possibly unsafe pesticides that are often ineffective on your own, our trained technicians can get rid of silverfish and any other pest infestations efficiently and quickly. To learn more about these services or to get started, give us a call today.