Silverfish can live in nearly any environment, but they prefer warm, damp areas. This makes the Sunshine Coast an ideal location for silverfish to live and reproduce. If you are concerned you might have a silverfish infestation in your home, here are 5 signs that may indicate their presence and a need for professional pest control help.
1. Seeing Live Silverfish
This may seem obvious, but unless you can accurately identify a silverfish, you may not realize they are a problem. Silverfish are small (up to 1 inch long), wingless insects that have flexible, slippery scales on their body. They range in color from brown-gray to bluish-silver and are shaped like a teardrop. As they move, they wiggle back and forth so that they appear to be swimming like a fish. Since they are nocturnal, you may not see them often, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t around. Spotting a silverfish does not guarantee an infestation, but it should be cause for a more thorough inspection.
2. Fecal Matter
The droppings of silverfish are fairly unique, so it can sometimes be used to help identify them. The droppings resemble small, black peppercorns and are found in areas where silverfish frequent like kitchens, basements, garages,and storage areas. Without a careful examination, these droppings might be easily missed or brushed aside as general dust or debris.
3. Shed Skin
Silverfish shed their skin throughout their life cycle. These outer shells are small and delicate, but with proper examination, they can be another important clue to a possible infestation.
4. Yellow stains or Dust
If you do not notice the actual skins, you might see yellowish dust that is left on surfaces as they molt. You may also see yellow stains in books, papers, and cardboard boxes indicating that silverfish have been there.
5. Silverfish Damage
Perhaps the easiest and most common way that people stumble upon silverfish infestations is by finding damage that they have caused. Silverfish love to eat carbohydrates like sugars, starches, papers, book bindings, adhesives, wallpaper, and even linens. If you notice several holes chewed through items like these, you might be dealing with a silverfish problem.
Silverfish are not dangerous to humans, but they can attract more dangerous bugs to your home, cause damage to your belongings, and even cause allergies in some individuals. For these reasons, silverfish infestations should be taken seriously. One of the easiest methods of prevention is to ensure that you are caught up with your yearly pest control inspections and treatments. Radar Pest Control can help you prevent silverfish, as well as identify and treat a current infestation. Contact us for more information and to get started with your customized pest control plan.