If there’s one pest in Phoenix that won’t hesitate to make your home into theirs, it’s silverfish. These critters have tear-shaped bodies with a long pair of antennae and three bristle-like appendages protruding from the back of their bodies.
Silverfish are big fans of the dark; you’ll often catch them hanging around your basement, attic, or crawl spaces. As their name suggests, silverfish have silver scales that cover their bodies and they scurry across the floor in a fish-like movement.
Like any pest, discovering silverfish in your Gilbert home isn’t ideal. Here’s what you should know about the dangers associated with silverfish, how to prevent them from entering your home, and what to do if you’ve got a silverfish infestation.
Are Silverfish Dangerous In Gilbert, AZ?
They may not be pretty to look at, but fortunately, silverfish don’t pose much of a health risk. Unlike some other pests, silverfish don’t spread any diseases, and they’re not known to bite humans or pets.
However, that doesn’t mean these critters aren’t capable of causing some damage. Silverfish aren’t picky eaters and as long as they find something with starch or polysaccharides in it, they’ll make it a meal – including paper, photos, glue, sugar, book bindings, wallpaper, and even discarded human hair.
With such a broad diet, an infestation of silverfish can cause a lot of damage by contaminating food sources, staining your clothing, damaging your wallpaper, or even eating through some of your favorite photos and books.
How To Prevent Silverfish In Gilbert, AZ
Before they start munching on irreplaceable belongings, here are some silverfish prevention tips that’ll help keep these critters away:
- Get rid of moisture issues that may draw silverfish in, like leaky pipes or appliances.
- Try using a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your home, especially in areas like the attic or basement that are most likely to attract silverfish.
- Inspect used books or newspapers thoroughly for signs of silverfish before you bring them into your home.
- Block potential entry points by sealing up cracks in your foundation with caulk and installing door sweeps.
- Keep your gutters clear of leaves, debris, and twigs which may be blocking them from functioning properly and causing water to pool near the foundation of your home.
- Clear clutter that you may be storing in the basement or attic of your home, including old books, newspapers, or even food items.
How To Handle A Silverfish Infestation In Gilbert, AZ
While you can use the tips above to prevent future silverfish infestations, they won’t be enough to take care of an active infestation. Even seeing one silverfish in your home could signal the presence of hundreds more that may be hiding out, and it doesn’t take long for silverfish populations to spiral out of control.
There’s no need to try and handle a silverfish infestation on your own; at What’s Bugging You Pest Control, our specialists have years of experience handling anything from minor to major silverfish infestations that have taken root in Arizona homes. If you’re noticing signs of silverfish or you’ve even spotted one, don’t wait to call us at What’s Bugging You Pest Control today to learn more about our expert home pest control and commercial pest control programs in Phoenix. Let us STOP what's bugging you.