Silverfish Identification & Prevention

Silverfish are small, wingless insects. They received their name because of the silvery scales that cover their bodies and their fish-like, wriggling movements. Other physical features include a tear-drop-shaped body and three bristle-like appendages that extend from their hind end. Their antennae are almost as long as their body.

Like other insects, they have six legs. Silverfish use their legs to move very quickly and outrun their predators. Another interesting fact about silverfish is that they can live up to 300 days with just water. When food is available, a silverfish's diet consists of carbohydrates like sugars and starches.

Silverfish are not dangerous, but they are unwanted in our homes because of the problems they cause, including: 

• Their fast movement is startling and can make you uneasy in your own home. 
• Silverfish eat carbohydrates and contaminate stored pantry items. 
• Their feeding habits cause silverfish to damage books, upholstered furniture, and wallpaper.

Because silverfish are attracted to moisture, their presence in your College Station or Bryan home indicates leaky pipes or other moisture issues. Additionally, if silverfish have gotten into your house, the same entry points can be used by other pests.

Silverfish infestations usually begin inside a home after their outdoor environment becomes unsuitable. Silverfish have high moisture needs, so when it becomes too hot and dry outside, they migrate, seeking a damp, cool place to call home.

Silverfish often live in the damp soil surrounding the perimeter of our houses and garages. They enter structures through spaces they find in the foundation or gaps under basement doors or windows.

Once inside, if they are comfortable and have reliable water sources, they won't be in a rush to move back outside.

Common outdoor habitats for silverfish include the damp soil under rocks, fallen trees, and leaf piles. They also like to gather under plant pots, trash cans, and landscaping ties.

Silverfish in houses and other structures gather in areas with high humidity, such as bathrooms, basements, crawl spaces, and kitchens. Cabinets under sinks, spaces behind tubs, gaps behind baseboards, and wall voids near water pipes are favorite hiding spots.

Because silverfish are nocturnal, you won't notice a problem with these pests immediately. Seeing silverfish dart across a room after turning on a light in the middle of the night or finding small holes in cardboard food containers, papers, or fabrics is what most often alerts a homeowner to a problem with these pests.

To eliminate silverfish the easy way, call us at Swoboda Pest & Termite Control. Trying to get rid of silverfish on your own is tricky. Silverfish are nocturnal, can survive on very little, and hide in dark, tight spaces.

Partnering with a professional that knows silverfish, where they hide, and can perform treatments is the best way to eliminate silverfish and stop them from returning. Trust our professionals to provide you with home pest control and commercial pest control solutions necessary to remove silverfish and other unwanted pests from your Bryan or College Station home.

Prevent problems with silverfish with the help of Swoboda Pest & Termite Control, our effective pest control services, and the following tips. 

• Properly store your family's dry goods and your pet's dry food to keep it out of reach of silverfish. 
• Reduce standing water in and around your house.
• Remove excess moisture in your home using dehumidifiers and ensuring your home is adequately ventilated. 
• Vacuum, vacuum, vacuum. Regular vacuuming will remove stray silverfish and the debris around your home they can use as a food source.

If you want to get rid of silverfish, call Swoboda Pest & Termite Control today. We will eliminate your pest problems for you!