What is a silverfish?
Silverfish are a type of nuisance pest; they get their name from the very fast fish-like way that they move. Adult silverfish have a teardrop-shaped body that is brown in color and covered with silvery-gray scales; they grow to about ¾ of an inch in length. Silverfish are wingless, have a distinctive long pair of antennae, and 3 long bristle-like appendages that are found protruding from the back of their body.
Why do I have them?
Silverfish are typically found living outdoors in areas that provide them with a dark damp environment. They typically enter into home through cracks found in the foundation or underneath of doors while foraging for food or if the weather outside becomes too hot and dry. Silverfish may also enter into homes accidentally in boxes or in damaged food packages. Once inside silverfish are often found by homeowners in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, and underneath of sinks.
Are they dangerous?
Despite their somewhat creepy appearance silverfish are not a danger to people, silverfish do not bite or sting and aren’t known to transmit diseases to people. They are however a danger to personal belongings. Silverfish feed on carbohydrates, especially sugars and starches. Inside of homes they will eat, contaminate and damage shampoos, book bindings, linens, pictures, silk, and clothing.
Can I do it myself?
Do-it-yourself silverfish control is not recommended. Silverfish hide in the hard to reach areas of your home and they can be difficult find and treat on your own. DIY products can be dangerous to you, your family, pets, and plants if not placed or mixed properly. Also, DIY pest control does not do anything to treat the route of your silverfish problem-how and why they are entering into your home in the first place.
How soon can you get here?
At Schendel Pest Services we are dedicated to making sure that we get help to you as quickly as possible, we understand how stressful pest problems can be for you and your family. In most instances, Schendel will respond the same or very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes, our treatment methods are safe for use around people, pets, and plants. We use the least amount of material possible to solve your pest problem whether that is using natural products, baits, mechanical means, or conventional produces.
We follow very strict guidelines, and all of our conventional products are EPA registered. Our trained and experienced service technicians will inform you of any specific safety measures that may need to be taken before treatment begins.
How much does it cost?
We have standard pricing for all of our pest services, based on average size homes under 3500 square feet and where the infestation does not require more than the standard number of services. We will always make you aware of any price changes before we start your service. Sign up for your FREE quote today and see how much you can save with Schendel.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Along with professional pest control there are a few things that you can do around your home to help prevent problems with silverfish:
- Seal cracks and crevices in the foundation of your home; install door sweeps underneath of doors.
- Inspect newspapers and boxes for signs of silverfish before bringing those items into your home.
- Make sure that packages purchased from the store are free of rips and tears.
- Place dry goods in plastic or glass containers that have tight fitting lids.
- Use de-humidifiers and/or air-conditioners to reduce humidity levels within your home.
- Reduce clutter in basement and other storage areas to limit the areas that they can hide and live in.