Imagine that you’re in the living room of your Lincoln home, enjoying the evening or the weekend when you notice something small and silver squirming about on the floor. There’s no doubt about it: it’s a silverfish, and if you spot one, chances are there are others in your house. Silverfish are an often forgotten pest, but when these odd-looking insects enter your household, you’ll want to get rid of them.
Homes in Lincoln, California are especially likely to get a silverfish infestation due to the natural environment, so let’s discuss what silverfish look like and how to prevent them.
What Do Silverfish Look Like In Lincoln?
Despite their odd appearance, silverfish aren’t going to hurt you; they simply look weird. Silverfish have teardrop-shaped bodies that grow between 1-2 cm. They have six short legs, body-length antennae, and a shorter tail. They also have two rear “cerci,” or antenna-like structures on their rear that are used to sense what’s behind them. Silverfish can be identified simply based on their name. These pests have a shiny, silvery color, and they tend to move in a fish-like, tapering manner and while they survive in most habitats, they much prefer cool, dark, damp spaces. California’s weather is perfect for silverfish, and if your household is air-conditioned, then silverfish are looking for a house like yours in Lincoln.
Are Silverfish A Problem In Lincoln?
- The good news: Silverfish are harmless. They might look weird and alien, but they don’t pose a threat to your family. They aren’t known to carry any diseases, cause any allergies, or bite people.
- The bad news: Silverfish can ruin your home and belongings. These pests snack on sugars and carbs, so it’s possible to find them eating away in your pantry, insulation, books, and floorboards.
Silverfish are obnoxious characters. These nocturnal insects will pop up at the most inconvenient times and scuttle away before you can catch them. Plus, since silverfish prefer cool, dark spaces, you will often find them hiding in your closets, storage spaces, clothes, or cabinets, giving a nasty shock to anyone who finds one. They are difficult to remove once they’ve infested your house. Their flat, small bodies make them incredibly evasive, and since they only come out at night, it’s hard to spot them during the day. Sugar traps or poisons simply don’t work, as silverfish are fast, stealthy, and live around your entire house.
Silverfish Prevention Tips
Silverfish often get inside by hitchhiking on boxes or luggage, but they can also slip in through the cracks of your house. Thus, Lincoln property owners need a comprehensive prevention strategy, since silverfish prove frustrating to get rid of. Silverfish prevention should include the following:
Dehumidify
Use a dehumidifier in spaces that are dark and undisturbed, especially attics and basements. Silverfish require high humidity to survive.
Seal Openings
Seal, caulk, and repaint your home’s exterior. Since silverfish are so small, they can easily squeeze inside the tiniest holes of your masonry.
Vacuum
Vacuum regularly, as this is a surefire way to suck up silverfish, as well as other pests that might be burrowing in your carpets.
Remove Standing Water
Clean your gutters, and make sure that water drains away from your house, otherwise, you’ll create sitting pools of water that attract these pests.
Secure
Keep your food storage properly closed and sealed.
Although silverfish can be deterred with these prevention techniques, they can still find a way inside. If you see one roaming around your house, don’t wait until you see another – reach out to the pest control experts today at Pro Active Pest Control, and let us take care of your silverfish problem.
Learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control services.