Silverfish Identification & Prevention

Keeping silverfish away isn't always on every homeowner's radar, but if you don't prevent silverfish infestations, you could be in for more serious property damage than you think.

Frequently Asked Questions About Silverfish

What are silverfish?

Silverfish are tiny insects that earned their name because they look very much like swimming fish. They have tapered bodies, a shiny look, and silvery coloring. They also have long tails that can resemble fins.

Silverfish have segmented bodies that can hide their six legs and three body parts. But these little bugs are indeed true insects. They might look a little like cockroaches if you factor out their color and tiny size, but they're more closely related to firebrats, which look quite similar to them. Reach out to us today for pest control in Austin, TX.

Are silverfish dangerous?

As a general rule, silverfish in your house are not all that dangerous. Of course, they're as dirty as you would expect anything that crawls through the mud and the dirt on a daily basis to be, but they don't carry any diseases, unlike cockroaches and certain species of ants. They can contaminate your food stores with their dirty feet, but they don't actually have any pathogens inside their bodies that they can spread around.

On the other hand, the silverfish diet means they could be a danger to your property. Silverfish just love to eat anything and everything with starch in it. And when we say everything, we do mean everything. Silverfish will eat books, clothes, other fabrics, glue, and even wallpaper. A severe enough silverfish infestation can cause serious damage to the items inside your house. For this reason, they are considered dangerous to your personal property.

Why do I have a silverfish problem?

You'll usually wind up with a silverfish problem if your house offers easy access to moisture, food, or both. Seemingly innocuous things can attract silverfish to your property. For instance, if you don't properly store starchy goods like flour or cornstarch. A big book collection or a lot of clothes that contain natural fibers the silverfish can eat might also attract them to your property.

Moisture problems are another big attractant. Silverfish like damp, warm places, which perfectly describes a lot of people's basements and crawl spaces. If silverfish cannot get moisture and warmth from their environment, such as in a drought or during a cold snap, they may be even more likely to come indoors.

Where will I find silverfish?

As a general rule, silverfish do not like to be around people. Of course, this makes sense, given that we can easily crush them if we feel like it. They work very hard to stay out of our way, and you may never see a silverfish, even if you have a significant infestation.

If you do see silverfish, you'll likely spot them in dark, damp places with low foot traffic. Silverfish love to hang out in bathrooms, especially in bathtubs and showers. You may also find silverfish in damp basements and crawl spaces with moisture issues. Another place to look for silverfish is the pantry, as their favorite foods are often stored there. But you may find silverfish in your wardrobe, as well, if you have a lot of natural fabrics in it.

How do I get rid of silverfish?

Unfortunately, silverfish control is not an easy task for homeowners who already have a silverfish infestation. Store-bought products like silverfish bait and sticky traps often fail in the face of high silverfish numbers, and it's always advisable to stay away from sprays and foggers because they can have toxic chemicals. Getting rid of silverfish may be a lot harder than you think.

The good news is you don't have to deal with these difficult pests yourself. Here at Aries Pest Control, our pest experts have tools and techniques that no silverfish population can stand up to, no matter how big the infestation. We always stay on top of the latest and greatest pest control products to offer the best home pest control and commercial pest control services on the market. So don't feel like you have to deal with your silverfish infestation on your own. All you have to do is call us, and we'll be out to help in a flash.