There’s no shortage of pests that can invade a home – and one of the more unusual types is the silverfish. Named for the fish-like way they wiggle their way across the floor, these pests won’t eat your food – because they prefer your books and other wood-based materials instead.
If you have a silverfish infestation, it’s not the end of the world. A good bug exterminator in Buffalo, NY, can take care of them. However, it’s better if you can keep them away in the first place, particularly if you have a library you’d like to protect.
Dealing With Silverfish In Your Home
People occasionally see silverfish without knowing what they are. They’re small, maybe a half-inch in length, with silvery bodies. They have three sets of legs and a long-tapered tail that ends in feeler protrusions.
The good news is that they don’t bite and can’t cause any direct harm to humans or pets. However, they absolutely love feasting on books, magazines, or pretty much any other kind of wood-pulp product. If you have these in your home, you’re a magnet for silverfish.
In addition, silverfish love heat and high humidity. They’re commonly found in attics, but can also be found in basements, if the basement is particularly dank. This is a problem because people often store books and magazines in these places, so you’d be setting out a silverfish buffet.
The best way to keep them out of your house is to remove the things they like. Try to keep your home dehumidified, particularly the basement. (This also reduces your chances of other problems, such as mold and mildew!) If you have a library, it should be kept cool and dry – which is also good for your books.
If you’re storing old magazines, don’t just throw them in cardboard boxes. The silverfish will just eat the boxes. Invest in some good plastic containers and keep them sealed. This keeps the silverfish out and helps protect the magazines and other articles inside.
Finally, if you have any old wood in your yard, such as pulp or untreated tree limbs/stumps, get rid of them. These are also silverfish havens, and if they’re in your yard, they will find a way into your house.
Reach Out to Our Exterminators in Buffalo, NY
But if you do get a silverfish infestation, have no fear. Bugg Control has decades of experience as a top bug exterminator in Buffalo, NY. If you’re anywhere in western New York, contact us for an appointment!