Not many people expect to see live fish crawling around on land, let alone huddling in the dark recesses of their kitchen cabinets. Don't worry – silverfish aren't actually aquatic in nature, but their appearance can be a bit surprising. As an occasional invader, these insects aren't seen very often in household settings, and thankfully they're not hazardous to your health. With a bad enough infestation, though, they can certainly wreak havoc on your Las Vegas pantry, and they might even take a nibble out of your bookshelf's inhabitants as well
Silverfish Appearance And Habits
Silverfish are fairly small insects, only reaching around ½ to ¾ of an inch in length fully grown. They have silvery metallic scales that cover their long, teardrop-shaped bodies, with long antennae and three thread-like tails at the end of their abdomens. They have no wings, and they move very fluidly whenever they scurry along, giving them their common name. These insects love hiding away in dark, damp areas, so if you have a moisture problem in your Las Vegas home, you may be providing the perfect habitat for silverfish.
As far as eating habits go, these little nuisances love sweets and carbs, and honestly, who doesn't these days? Unfortunately, carbohydrates can also be found in a lot of things humans wouldn't exactly consider delicacies:
- Cereals
- Grains and baked goods
- Sugars and syrups
- Wallpaper
- Books
- Paper products
- Glue
- Shampoo
- Linens
- Furniture fabrics
- Clothing
- Silk
- Dead insects
The only plus side to this scenario is that they aren't actually hazardous to your health, and they only inflict cosmetic damage on your home. These occasional invaders don't spread around harmful pathogens, they don't have a venomous bite to inflict, and they won't cost you thousands of dollars in-home repairs. Still, cosmetic damage and wardrobe replacement costs can put a hefty strain on your bank account.
How To Make Your Las Vegas Home Less Attractive To Silverfish
An indoor silverfish infestation comes with two absolutes: easy access points and an already thriving outdoor infestation. That means you need to implement preventative measures around your property just as much as you do inside:
- Rake up fallen leaves regularly, and keep brush piles, woodpiles, and miscellaneous debris far away from the perimeter of your home
- Make sure your lawn is draining properly by having the soil aerated
- Try not to over-water your garden
- Clean out your gutters regularly
- Keep tight-fitting lids on all indoor and outdoor trash cans
- Seal up any gaps and cracks around the exterior of your home; foundation, siding, exposed wood, old infestation entryways, insulation around doors and windows, gaps around outdoor-leading pipes and wires
- Make sure there aren't any leaky pipes or extensive water damage in your home, and repair any if necessary
- Keep dried goods stored in airtight containers, and never leave food sitting out overnight
- Wipe down all counters and food prep areas daily
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly
- Invest in a dehumidifier for moisture-retaining rooms like the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and basement
- Make spring cleaning more a seasonal occasion, declutter, dust, and air out the darkened corners of your home often
Who To Call If You're Swimming In Silverfish In Your Las Vegas Home
These pests may only be a nuisance, but they're still unsightly and unsanitary, and with their reclusive habits you'll have a hard time kicking them to the curb. Thankfully, our pest experts at Anderson Pest Control know exactly how to handle a silverfish infestation. We only use the best pest control products available, and we take pride in our transparent customer service. Whether you prefer synthetic products or a more eco-friendly approach, we'll walk you through every step of the treatment to make sure you're comfortable with our services. So get in touch with us today to start discussing your options.