Silverfish Control

Silverfish Bug

A silverfish is a wingless insect that is silvery grey colour and moves like a fish, hence the name silverfish. They have an oval, elongated shape with 6 legs and are roughly 3/4 inch long. They do not bite or sting, but their skins can cause irritation to people who are prone to allergies.

Silverfish Pest Control

We are experts in dealing with silverfish problems and infestations; Pestcure Ltd offer effective treatments which will guarantee extermination 100%.

Where do silverfish live?

Silverfish are most commonly found in humid, moist areas such as bathrooms and like most pests, they hide their presence from humans. They have a preference for paper and damp clothing and often take up residence in garages. Despite the fact that they prefer damp, dark places, they can also be found in kitchens as they are attracted to carbohydrate food sources.

What do silverfish eat?

Silverfish prefer to feed on carbohydrates but are not overly fussy. They have been known to eat shampoo, glue and linens such as silk as they are attracted to a substance called polysaccharides that are present in these items

Are silverfish a serious problem?

Silverfish are not known to transmit diseases but can cause trigger allergies in certain people. Another problem is that they sometimes attract other pests such as carpet beatles, placing more stress on an already stressful situation. Silverfish have the ability to destroy personal items such as books/files and can cause considerable damage in large numbers.

Signs of silverfish infestation:

1. Spotting a live silverfish:
   In general, most people spot a live silverfish in places such as their sink/bathtub before any other signs. It is only once they start further inspecting that they notice the damage caused by these pests. Seeing a single silverfish is not a sure sign that you have an infestation but it should certainly warrant further investigation.
2. Marks and droppings:
   You should keep an eye out for feeding marks as well as small pepper-like faeces and yellow stains, especially on wallpaper as they feed on the paste. As the faeces are extremely small, you could miss them so it's recommended to be extra vigilant if you suspect an infestation.
3. Shed skins:
   Silverfish often shed their skin throughout their lifetime and this is another clue. The skins are very delicate and sometimes hard to see but again be vigilant and really inspect your surroundings.

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How to prevent silverfish:

Prevention is always the best course of action as it decreases the chances of silverfish residing in your home. There are a number of simple steps you can take to deter these pests:

1) Reduce humidity:
After you shower or bath, you should always reduce the humidity in your bathroom by using the extractor fan or even opening the window. This is because condensation caused by steam on the walls attracts silverfish and provides an ideal environment to breed in.

2) Declutter:
Clutter gives silverfish a chance to hide; they are very shy creatures and will do anything not to be spotted. By removing clutter, you will expose them to the human eye which they dislike. Regular vacuming in hidden places will also give them less opportunity to evade sight.

3) Food storage:
Keep all dry food in sealed containers as silverfish are highly attracted to the carbohydrates present in these types of foods.

4) Remove adhesive containing items:
Items that contain adhesive such as boxes are enticing for silverfish as they like to feed off of the glue. If they really aren't needed, you could take them to the recycling centre which will also benefit the environment.

5) Seal off entry points:
The smallest hole could provide a silverfish the opportunity to enter your home. You should check your property for cracks/crevices and seal them using a material such as caulk.

6) Purchase a dehumidifier:
If you live in a moust climate, or your home seems to retain moisture in the air, you should consider buying a dehumidifier. These clever pieces of kit reduce air humidity by upto 60% which will certainly help to deter silverfish

How to get rid of silverfish:

Once an infestation has taken hold, there are a number of things you can do to try to eliminate them from your home.

1) Newspaper:
Roll up some newspaper, wet it and leave it where you suspect an infestation. If there are any silverfish nearby, they might make it there home and start to lay their eggs there. You can then discard the newspaper with the insects inside. Repeat this process as needed.

2) Lay sticky traps:
This will help to trap the insects as they slither round your property. Be sure to lay quite a few all around the house, especially in the bathroom and kitchen.

3) Cedar oil:
Dilute cedar oil with water and spray it around your home to repel them. Silverfish dislike the pheromones that are present in this particular oil.

If your efforts to get rid of silverfish fail then you should consider calling in pest professionals. At Pestcure Ltd, all of our technicians are highly trained in dealing with silverfish infestations and we have various treatments available with a guaranteed service.

Our silverfish exterminator will create a planned solution tailored to your needs and will exterminate them safely and effectively.