Silverfish can be a real pain: what are they?

Silverfish

What are silverfish? - They are serpentine insects. In order to survive they require humid and damp conditions. They can therefore thrive in areas of your business premises or home where the conditions are both damp and humid. Silverfish can often be found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements and attics. Silvery-blue in colour, they are characterised by their tiny scales and wiggling movements similar to those of a fish. Silverfish are also known as carpet sharks and fish moths.

 

They are an unsightly nuisance that can exist in most environments. More than that, silverfish are a pest because of their destructive feeding habits; and in large numbers silverfish can present a serious, destructive force in your business premises or domestic dwelling. In sufficiently large numbers, which would categorised as an infestation, they typically damage work and household items containing starch and cellulose. In circumstances where it is judged that an infestation has taken root silverfish will damage paintings, plaster, books and photographs.

 

As has been mentioned, ark isolated areas of your business premises or home, where the conditions are sufficiently damp and humid, are potential areas in which silverfish may thrive. Certain preventative measures can therefore be taken towards avoiding this pest:

 

1.       Fixing leaks in pipework helps to reduce the risk of encouraging silverfish

2.       Improving ventilation helps by decreasing humidity and dampness

3.       Installing and using dehumidifiers can also help

 

Silverfish feed on starch, cellulose and sugar. Consequently, in your business premises or home they might be found in pasta, sugar, coffee, food debris, fabric, paintings, wallpaper, books and carpets. If the silverfish are denied such sustenance – for example by reducing the amount of dust and debris produced day-to-day; sealing food containers with tightly sealed lids; vacuuming rarely disturbed areas in the home or business premises – then the risk of infestation is reduced.

 

Silverfish can be controlled with home DIY products such as sprays. If, however, such methods are ineffective, then a professional service ought to be employed in order to eliminate the infestation. This is where Key West Pest Control comes in. We will identify the problem and advise our clients on how best to contain and prevent any pest typically found in the UK. We are trained in the latest extermination techniques and we are registered to comply under the most recent waste management legislation.