If you have noticed yellow stains on your belongings or seen tiny, wingless insects crawling on your surfaces, you could have a silverfish infestation. While they do not pose a threat to humans, they can cause significant damage to your Forney property and affect your allergies.
They feed on starchy foods like rice, potatoes, and cereal. However, they can also be attracted to dry things like fabric, cardboard, and glue. If you’ve never seen them before, you may wonder, “Where do silverfish come from?”
What Are Silverfish?
A silverfish is an insect that has no wings. They get their name because of their silver color and how they wiggle when they move, making them look like silver-colored fish out of water. They grow to be about ¾ of an inch long. They are not normally found alone and seeing one signifies an infestation.
Where Do Silverfish Come From?
Silverfish live in dark places like logs and rocks and are attracted to damp places. They enter your home and go in your closet, under your bed, and in basements and attics. They live off starch, which they will find plenty of in your house. Your kitchen is full of starchy foods and they can find it in paper and fabric as well. They can grow for a long time without you seeing them or noticing any sign that they are there.
A silverfish can enter your home by hitching a ride on things you bring inside. Firewood, clothing, Christmas trees, and furniture can all have silverfish. Once they get inside, they can find other places to hide.
Are Silverfish a Threat?
Silverfish are not generally a threat to humans. They don’t bite, scratch, or sting, and thankfully don’t transmit diseases. Some people may be allergic to them, however. And there is a good chance they can do damage to your property.
Silverfish live off the starch found in books, wallpaper, and clothing. Even though they may not damage the structure of your home, they can create holes and stains on enough surfaces to make you want to get rid of them. After they create damage, fungi can grow in their wake, which may create more problems for people with allergies.
How Do Silverfish Infestations Spread?
Silverfish will spread throughout the home in search of food. While they may find plenty to eat in your kitchen cupboards, they are also attracted to warm, dark areas. Your basement, attic, or crawlspace is a prime location to find them. Laundry rooms are also a favorite of silverfish because of the heat coming from the dryer vent.
How To Tell If You Have a Silverfish Problem?
Silverfish lay low during the day. They may come out in search of food at night. You can go a long time without knowing they are there. However, there may be a few signs you have a silverfish infestation.
- Moving something they are hiding under will bring them out as they scurry off to find a new spot
- Damage to books and clothing as well as stains resembling pepper grains from their fecal matter
- Holes and damage to carpets and wallpaper
Getting Rid of Silverfish Infestations
Because silverfish hide in small areas and only come out at night, many people do not realize they have a problem. They are more of a nuisance than a danger so some decide getting rid of them isn’t a priority. They can also go a long time without any food or water, leaving people to go long enough without seeing them that they think they are gone.
When you are dealing with silverfish in your Forney home, give us a call for help at Romney Pest Control. We’ve seen them before and know what has to be done to get rid of them.
Romney Pest Control has been proving the highest quality pest control service available in Dallas-Fort Worth, Causing, San Antonio, and Houston, TX for over 10 years. Whether you have a silverfish infestation in your residential or commercial property, we have a team of experienced and highly-trained professionals who are ready to help you. When you have silverfish we have top-of-the-line treatments to help you get rid of them. Call us today and let us help!
