Ever turn on the light during a middle-of-the-night trip to the bathroom only to be startled by a tiny prehistoric-looking pest prowling around the floorboards? Then you are familiar with silverfish, a common household pest. Eliminating silverfish once they invade is no easy feat. Arm yourself with the following knowledge and tips to fight these pests and keep them out of your home.

Evil Invaders or Harmless House Guests?

The answer is a little of both. Silvery and scaled, silverfish are mostly household nuisances not known to bite or carry disease. That said, no one likes to find these creepy creatures inside the home. Plus, the pests damage all kinds of stuff around the house. Their diet favors carbs and sugars, and they love everything from wallpaper glue to clothing to books and boxes. Your family photos are not safe from silverfish. And a photo album, well, that’s just a multi-course meal! They even have the audacity to invade your kitchen, chewing through cereal boxes and getting into cooking canisters of flour and sugar.

Our Top Tips for Eliminating Silverfish

The key to eliminating silverfish is prevention and making your home a less desirable environment. Follow these tips to help pest-proof your home.

  • Eliminating silverfish starts with eliminating moisture in your home. These pests prefer damp or humid environments like bathrooms or basements, especially if there are leaky pipes, dripping faucets, or any moisture issues. For a damp basement use a dehumidifier, and make sure bathrooms are ventilated.
  • The next step is to inspect your home for any points of entry. Indoors and out, seal up any cracks or crevices in walls or foundations and around windows and doors. Repair torn window screens and patch up gaps around pipes or utility lines entering the home.
  • Keeping a clean house is essential. Dusting and vacuuming regularly removes silverfish food sources. In the kitchen, store food in airtight containers, wipe up crumbs, and never leave out leftovers. Take the garbage out often.
  • Silverfish love to hide in and feed on piles of paper and cardboard, so remove stacks of old newspapers or magazines and trade cardboard boxes for plastic storage bins.

Let Us Help

Silverfish are nocturnal critters and notorious hiders. They are also super fast. Try to kill one by hand and watch it wiggle away fast into a crack or crevice, or any opening that their flat bodies fit but humans have a hard time reaching. At the first sign of an infestation, call in an expert. Contact Free Spray Lawn Care today at 419-529-5296 and we’ll eliminate silverfish and any other pest problems for you.