If you have seen silverfish before, you are probably unlikely to forget them. Their unique shape and creepy way of moving make them a particularly unwanted pest for Sunshine Coast residents. Silverfish can cause many problems within a home. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Food Contamination
Silverfish love to eat grains and starches, so food contamination in the pantry is a real issue. Silverfish can easily get inside packaging and ruin large quantities of food because they will chew right through paper and cardboard. Their main target foods are typically sugar, flour, and oats, but there is little that is off-limits for them.
Allergies and Asthma
Although fairly rare, some people do develop allergies to silverfish. These allergies can occur via a bite, ingesting the allergens, or breathing them in. Silverfish allergens in the air are the most common and may consist of fecal matter, skin moltings, and body parts from dead silverfish. Individuals with respiratory problems, including asthma, are most at risk and may develop inflammation and difficulty breathing, among other symptoms.
Attract Other Pests
One of the unfortunate side effects of silverfish is that they tend to attract larger pests to your home. Silverfish are prey for several critters including: house centipedes, carpet beetles, spiders, and earwigs.
Stress and Unease
Silverfish are not particularly dangerous, but they can cause stress and anxiety in some individuals. Their appearance and movement may be particularly unnerving if you are caught by surprise. Silverfish are silver or brown with a teardrop shape, six legs, and 3 long bristles protruding from their rear. Their movements are wiggling, side to side motions that many compare to those of a fish. Homeowners who have never seen silverfish before may get an unpleasant, creepy surprise.
Damage to Personal Belongings
The biggest problem caused by silverfish is damage to personal possessions and homes. Silverfish feed primarily on starches. This can include food, as mentioned above, but it can also be things like wallpaper, clothing, books, file folders, pictures, magazines, and tapestries. Homes infested by silverfish can suffer quite a lot of damage if they are left untreated.
Sunshine Coast Silverfish Control
If you are dealing with silverfish, act now before you experience any more of the problems that come with them. Contact Radar Pest Control for the best customer care and expert service in the business. We provide top notch Sunshine Coast pest control.