Silverfish in the house? Here’s what you need to know!
If you’ve noticed small bugs on your walls, chances are they’re silverfish. These little critters are mainly found in damp rooms such as the basement, bathroom, toilet and laundry room. They can also indicate the presence of moisture. But what exactly are silverfish? And how to eliminate them or, even better, prevent their appearance? Find out the answer here.
What are silverfish?
Contrary to what their name suggests, silverfish are not fish. Silverfish are small insects with an average length of about 12 to 30 millimeters. You can recognize them by their elongated, silver-blue body and their two long antennae.
They take their name from their color, but also from their way of moving. Indeed, they move from left to right, just like fish. These animals like dark and especially humid spaces.
Many scientific studies have already been conducted on these unwanted visitors. Some scientists are convinced that they have been around for millions of years.
Where exactly do silverfish live?
You can encounter silverfish all over your home. However, they have a preference for damp rooms, such as the bathroom, the toilet, the laundry room and the cellar. These spaces are naturally humid and are therefore their favorite places.
The kitchen is also part of their territory because cooking food leads to a large production of humidity. In addition, they love starchy foods. If you have open packages and silverfish in the house, check your food before you start cooking. To prevent these pests from getting into your food, store it in airtight containers.
If you’re unlucky, you may also find it in your bed, especially when it’s hot and you’ve sweated a lot.
Are silverfish dangerous?
According to science, silverfish are not harmful to health. They do not contain any poison and do not secrete toxic substances.
However, they are harmful to your personal belongings and your property. They eat your tapestry, your books and your food.
How to eliminate silverfish?
Even if they are not dangerous, they are not pretty to look at. That’s why it’s best to contact a pest exterminator to get rid of them.
It is also important to check what the underlying problem is because silverfish are always a sign of high humidity. It is therefore ideal to also call on a humidity specialist who will examine the situation. At Murprotec, everyone is entitled to a free expertise. Our expert comes to your home free of charge, analyzes the humidity problem and immediately presents the various options to you.
Removing Silverfish Using Household, Garden, and Kitchen Tools
If you’d rather not call a pest exterminator right away, you can try fighting silverfish with a few handy household tools.
Since they like humidity, you can, for example, attract them with a damp towel or newspaper. Leave the towel or newspaper overnight and then shake it out. You can also use the vacuum cleaner to remove them. If you prefer a natural method, silverfish are spiders’ favorite snack.
Fighting Silverfish by Eliminating Your Humidity Problem
In addition to too high humidity, other problems can also cause unwanted animals to visit. Each humidity problem requires a specific approach. It is therefore important to know the problem you are facing before starting.
- Injection of the walls
- Facade impregnation
- Waterproofing of the cellar
- Installation of an air purifier
- Air purification to eliminate silverfish
Generally, silverfish appear when the relative humidity exceeds 50. Aeration and ventilation are the key words!
ur air treatment systems are designed to control the humidity in your home and to rid the air of dust particles.
To provide your home with the most appropriate system, one of our experts will visit you and determine how to integrate such a system into your home. Indeed, a good air purifier must be adapted to your home!
Tips to prevent the appearance of silverfish
As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure and we cannot fault its inventor. That’s why we want to give you some tips on how to prevent the appearance of silverfish:
- Don’t set your heating thermostat too high
Silverfish like heat and will therefore survive better.
- Seal cracks and joints
Be sure to seal all baseboards and door frames. Silverfish enter your home through the smallest opening.
- Rid your bathroom of humidity
If possible, after showering, rid your bathroom of humidity by wiping the glass and/or walls.
- Opt for dehumidifiers
You can choose a mechanical or natural copy, for example, a sanseveria, a fern or a ficus.
Other Moisture-Attracted Pests
Silverfish are unfortunately not the only pests that can really appreciate a humid space. Here are the pests that also appreciate a dark and humid environment:
- Gray silverfish
- Molds
- Mites
- plaster beetles
- Woodlice
- wood worms
- Cockroaches
- Rats
- Mouse
- Springtails
Don’t wait any longer and treat your humidity problem today.
Although silverfish are not dangerous to our health and do not cause our house to collapse, they still indicate the presence of dampness. In addition, a humidity problem also attracts other pests that we prefer to avoid in our home.
