We come home, kick off our shoes, and walk on hardwood, tile, and carpeted floors. Sometimes, we might lay down on the floor to wrestle with the kids, play with the dog, or watch our favorite television show. Seldom, if ever, do we think about what may be directly beneath our feet. Just a few inches below our carpeted floors is a different world with a strange creature with a seemingly contradictory name; the silverfish.
You may have never heard of this primitive, wingless insect, but it is in Las Vegas homes. Silverfish may be in your house, and the Las Vegas pest control team from Anderson Pest Control can eliminate them. For twenty years, we have been providing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and, when necessary, EPA-approved pest control treatments to protect Las Vegas homeowners.
How Did Silverfish Get Their Name?
If you have seen pictures of silverfish, you will get an idea of how they got their name. These wingless insects are so-called because of the silver, metallic scales on their 3/4 inch elongated body. The quick movements of this six-legged pest resemble a fish wiggling in the water. Other features of the nocturnal silverfish are the two long antennae on its head and the three tail strands on the rear of its body.
What Do Silverfish Do In Our Eco-System?
Based on the fossil record, silverfish have been a part of the ecosystem for over 400 million years. Silverfish help maintain eco-balance by consuming dead plants and insects. They also eat other organic materials such as algae, lichens, and moss. The cycle continues with earwigs, spiders, and centipedes consuming silverfish.
Habits And Behavior Of Silverfish In Las Vegas
Like real fish, silverfish in Las Vegas need moisture and prefer areas with high humidity and temperatures between 70℉ to 85℉. Locations in Las Vegas houses with drains, leaky pipes, canister light fixtures, skylights, moldy wood, and damp cardboard boxes attract silverfish. They can be in living rooms and bedrooms, but you will most likely see silverfish infestations in humid areas like bathrooms, attics, basements, crawlspaces, and garages. Due to the cellulose, moisture retention, and starch, shake roofs attract silverfish.
Silverfish are nocturnal pests who hide in cracks and crevices during the day and hunt at night; therefore, you may not see them during the day. You may spot a silverfish as it flees from your flashlight in a dark, humid area of the house.
What Can I Do To Remove The Silverfish From My Home?
Because they do not spread disease, silverfish are more of a nuisance than a threat to homeowners. Silverfish damage paper products, clothing, and upholstered furniture, and because they feed on carbohydrates found in paper, wallpaper, oats, flour, and sugar, they contaminate food products. Since the same environments that attract silverfish also lure cockroaches, subterranean termites, and carpenter ants to homes, secure a pest control service near you like Anderson Pest Control.
The best way to get rid of silverfish is to do the following:
- Dehumidify warm, moist areas of the house
- Store food in airtight containers
- Remove old magazines, books, and cardboard items
- Replace rotten wood
- Repair leaky pipes
- Drain rainwater away from the structure
- Seal gaps around pipes and wires entering the house
Our highly-trained professionals from Anderson Pest Control will get rid of silverfish in your Las Vegas home. We will focus on areas harboring silverfish, apply eco-friendly tools, and develop a custom strategy to keep silverfish out of your house. We will help you identify ways to prevent future infestations. Contact us today and request your free quote. Remember, the presence of silverfish may indicate a pest infestation from other creatures too!