Damages caused by silverfish invasion

People who have experienced a silverfish infestation will alone know how annoying these pests can be. Apart from their nuisance value, silverfish invasion can cause major problems if they are not promptly eradicated and their future growth prevented.

Silverfish are seemingly harmless as they neither bite nor sting the humans. Silverfish will feed on anything that is rich in starch such as paste, glue, wallpaper, book bindings, and some textiles.Silverfish are also fond of food items like flour, sugar, cereal etc.

Silverfish is known to feed on mold or fungi that can grow on damp surfaces. Thus, these wingless pests, though apparently harmless, can contaminate food if you do not take suitable measures to prevent their infestation. While eradicating silverfish invasion, you should pay special attention to damp and cool locations where they thrive the most.

These tiny destructive creatures hide and multiply in moist crawlspaces and basements and are usually found under carpets, in closets, under damp sinks, behind baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames and in bathtubs and bookcases. Silverfish may bite very small holes in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk and they may also leave a yellowish stain on fabrics.

Although these insects thrive in damp and dark locations, they sometimes find their way into the bathroom sinks and along baseboards. Please know that these pests are elusive, and if you have spotted a few, rest assured there are probably more silverfish in your home than you can estimate.

Silverfish are about one-fourth of an inch in body size. They have somewhat broad heads and their bodies taper to a point. Silver fish have three slender antennae-like tails.

If you find silverfish invasion in your home, you can get rid of them easily before they can nibble your wallpaper, fabrics, bed covers and carpeting, and contaminate your food supply.

Frequent vacuuming is a useful way to get rid of silverfish. While vacuuming frequently, make sure to clean locations, especially areas where books and fabrics are kept.

Physical control of silverfish invasion can be easily achieved through regular cleaning, vacuuming, steam drying, dehumidifying and trapping. You can also caulk openings around pipes and wires to prevent passage from room to room. Once captured, drop the silverfish in a bucket of soapy water.

If physical control measures are not effective, use a pesticide like diatomaceous earth or silica aerogel which have a minimal impact on both you and the environment. One more effective way is to use boric acid.

It is necessary that you use only a registered domestic class pest control product labeled for silverfish control and strictly adhere to the printed user directions. Federal and provincial pesticide regulations guarantee that registered control products are safe to use particularly when label directions are followed.

One of the effective ways to combat large scale silverfish invasion is dusting the area of infestation with 2 percent diazinon powder. Sprinkle diazinon powder in cracks and crevices along baseboards, behind book shelves, and every other silverfish might be hiding. A recommended dust for silverfish control would be ECO PCO DX Dust or Delta Dust.

You can also spray insecticides containing 2 percent Malathion or 1 percent methoxychlor to the cracks along baseboards, closets, windows, and doors. But neither of these methods is advisable if you have kids or pets around. But the worst types of infestations will require the attention of a reputed pest control company that will have experienced professionals to deal with the menace.