It can be frightening to see a silverfish roaming around your home. These unique bugs have a menacing appearance as they slither across the floor. While these bugs look scary, they aren’t dangerous. However, they are still unwanted guests when they invade most homes because they can cause problems around your house.
At Gecko Pest Control, we can help you identify and eliminate silverfish in your home. We are known for providing advanced pest control in Longview and show you the quickest way to eliminate silverfish from your home.
What Are Silverfish?
At first glance, a silverfish can look like something from another planet. But these are no aliens. Instead, they are small insects that commonly invade your home to look for starchy foods and water.
The silverfish is about ½ inch long and has a teardrop-shaped body covered in silver scales. They have six pale-colored legs and two long antennae. There are also three long bristle-like appendages in the rear of its body. Many commonly refer to them as "bristletails" because of these appendages.
Silverfish in Longview are known to be solitary animals. But they are also known to infest homes in large numbers because of their high reproduction rate. After a silverfish egg hatches, reaching full maturity only takes about four weeks. Once a female silverfish has reached adulthood, she will lay eggs almost continuously.
Why You Don't Want Silverfish In Your House
The silverfish's appearance isn't its only notable feature; silverfish have a unique diet and like to eat almost any food or material that is starchy and high in protein and carbohydrates. Some of the things that silverfish like to eat include:
- Paper
- Bookbinding
- Glue and adhesives
- Cardboard boxes
- Flour
- Dried-out meat
- Whole grain cereals
- Pasta
- Dead insects
- Carpet
Because of their unique appetite, silverfish commonly chew holes through your clothing, books, magazines, curtains, and paper. They also sneak into your food packages and contaminate your food with urine and droppings. You should never eat any food you suspect a silverfish has had contact with.
How And Why Silverfish Find Their Way Into Your Home
Silverfish are outdoor pests that commonly find their way into homes if they need shelter or food. They like warm temperatures, but when the weather becomes too hot and too dry, they will come inside to look for a cool and humid place. Homeowners often find silverfish hiding in the bathroom, basement, or any other humid area around their home.
Silverfish aren't able to fly, but they can run exceptionally fast. When you combine their speed with their agility and impressive climbing ability, almost nowhere is off-limits to a silverfish. They will find a gap or vent they can squeeze into if they want to enter your house. They are also known to hide in furniture. If you expect to bring second-hand furniture into your home, thoroughly inspect it first.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Silverfish Infestation In Your Home
Silverfish are fast and cunning insects, which makes them difficult to deal with. If you want to eliminate silverfish quickly, call the Gecko Pest Control professionals today. We offer advanced home pest control solutions in Longview that are sure to get rid of the silverfish in your home for good.