Silverfish aren’t nearly as famous as cockroaches or ants, but they’re still one of the most disturbing and resistant to remove pests Indianapolis homeowners will ever have to deal with as recommended by Pointepestcontrol.net. They’re fast, they’re secretive and they can be hard to kill — and if you don’t, you might soon find yourself sharing your home with more than just your family. Knowing what attracts them, how to prevent an infestation, and, most importantly, how to eliminate them will help to keep your Indianapolis home safe.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, wingless, silver-blue members of the class Insecta, known for their fish-like appearance and movement. They’ve got long antennae and three hair-like tails at the back, and they look like the sort of thing that would be seen wandering the Earth before humans ever showed up. Silverfish are about ½ to 1 inch long and they like to live in dark, wet, and secluded places. Although they do not bite or spread disease, they are labelled a nuisance pest due to the damage they can do to household items.
Why Are Silverfish an Issue in Indianapolis?
Indianapolis is a silverfish nirvana, with hot, humid summers and cool, confined winters in which the creatures thrive. As the warmer weather arrives, condensation can be a problem and it tends to form in places like the basement, bathroom and kitchen. And in winter, silverfish find the perfect hiding spots in insulated cracks and crevices of old houses. These 2 elements combined over the course of a year-round cycle of shelter and food will create the perfect environment for silverfish infestations to flourish unnoticed.
These are the signs of a silverfish infestation:
Because of this, it is important to be able to identify a silverfish infestation early to prevent destruction they can cause to personal belongings. Here are several important signs to look out for:
- Sightings: The most common evidence is a live silverfish, which people usually find in the bathroom, basement or near paper products or cardboard boxes.
- Yellow-Stained or Scaled: Silverfish molt to grow. Small, minute scales and yellowish spots can be discovered on and around books, on base boards or at other infested areas.
- Feeding Marks: You may see irregular holes or notches in paper, wallpaper, envelopes or clothing – sure signs of silverfish dining.
- Damp / Musty Odours: Silverfish often produce a damp, musty smell when infestations are heavy and this just adds to the general sense of “old basement”.
Preventing Silverfish in Indianapolis
Stopping and getting rid of silverfish is a matter of reducing moisture in the home, sealing up entry points, and clearing away likely food sources. These are the best moves for Indianapolis homeowners:
- Control Moisture: Silverfish adore moist areas. Dehumidify in basements and bathrooms, repair leaky pipes, and make sure your home is properly ventilated. Run exhaust fans following showers, and think about using moisture-absorbing materials in closets and storage areas.
- Eliminate Food Sources: Get rid of cardboard boxes and stacks of paper you stashed in basements and attics and cannot account for. Avoid keeping books and newspapers in damp areas, store dry food in airtight containers. Silverfish also eat adhesives so watch your vintage wallpaper and photo albums.
- Seal Entry Points: Do an audit of your house — check windows, window frames, baseboards, plumbing and ventilation. Seal little crevices in your property where they might enter with caulk. Give basements and crawl spaces a little extra attention, as they’re frequently points of entry in Indianapolis houses.
Although they may not be harmful, silverfish are unpleasant and destructive. They are challenging to manage without taking a proactive stance because of their propensity to conceal in obscure places. It’s critical to stay ahead of the issue in Indianapolis, where homes frequently have basements, are older, and have varying humidity levels.