Why Are Silverfish Drawn To Homes?
The same way you will find silverfish in moist/humid places inside your home, you will also find them in moist/humid places around the outside of your home. So, anyplace that traps moisture on the ground is a great place for silverfish to hang out. Here are some of the things that will draw silverfish onto your property and possibly right up next to your home.
- Leaf piles that are moist on the bottom. If you have leaves that have been sitting awhile, silverfish (and other moisture pests) will love you for it. And the closer these piles are to your home, the more likely these pests may find their way inside.
- Heavily weeded areas that contain moisture. Thick weeds create shade, and shade does not allow the sun to get in and dry out soil after it rains. This is another place silverfish will hide.
- Wood lying on the ground. Items such as firewood, construction materials, or other wooden objects that are directly on the ground are great places for silverfish and other pests to hang out. Not only moisture-loving pests but also rodent pests such as mice and rats.
- Any object that prevents the ground from drying. Large rocks, tarps, toys; these are just a few things that could keep the ground moist and be a harborage for silverfish.
- Mulch. Mulch is a favorite place for moisture pests.
- Leaky spigots or clogged or broken gutters. If you have water running down the outside of your home, or water collecting in the soil, this will create conditions that silverfish love. Beyond this, it can also cause the wood on your home to soften, which will make it easier for pests to chew their way in.
How much do you know about the silverfish eggs in your home?
One of the biggest problems with
over-the-counter silverfish control is that it rarely addresses a key part of
the infestation: silverfish eggs. This happens for a number of reasons – the
ingredients aren’t effective on the eggs, homeowners don’t know what the eggs
look like or where to find them, correct application is too difficult,
silverfish lay eggs year-round, etc.
And even if you can find them and do know how to kill silverfish eggs, there
can be so many of them, you can quickly become overwhelmed. Just one
inseminated female can produce between 1,500 and 3,500 offspring in her
lifetime. The offspring will soon be ready to dart around your home, eating
your books, paperwork and other valuables.
Spotting a silverfish egg cluster
Silverfish can lay two or three groups of
eggs every single day. Each of these groups contain clusters of between one and
20 eggs, depending on the species. Each silverfish egg measures about 1
millimeter in length, and is more elliptical than circular (though it isn’t
quite oval-shaped). When first laid, the eggs are white and soft. After a few
hours of exposure to oxygen, the eggs toughen up and turn yellow.
But don’t think for a second that the eggs will be sitting out in the open,
ready for easy disposal. When you think about silverfish eggs, picture them
tucked away in all the little cracks and crevices in your home, because that’s
where they are. Female silverfish hide their eggs to protect them from damage,
and unfortunately, from your vacuum, broom and DIY pest control sprays as well.
Silverfish eggs lead to more breeding
The eggs can also be buried in dust, food
or cloth, meaning you might open your kitchen or dresser drawers one day and
see tiny silverfish scurrying from your family’s clothes or food, running for
cover. And once silverfish find a breeding area they like, they emit
aggregation pheromones, signaling for all the other silverfish in your home to
come and lay eggs.
This crowded gathering helps to regulate the humidity and temperature in the
area, making the eggs hatch faster, healthier and more effectively. Depending
on the conditions, silverfish eggs can hatch in about 19 to 32 days. The plump,
white nymphs that emerge will soon start feeding and molting, until they
eventually turn into adult silverfish, ready to lay thousands of silverfish
eggs and turn your home into their own.
Where do silverfish hide?
Silverfish prefer moist areas. The first place you’ll usually see them is on the bathroom floor. If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. A single female can lay 100 eggs in her lifetime and it only take 3 months from egg to adult. It doesn’t take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand. They will crawl through your wall voids, pass through attic crawl spaces, get into moist basements, and other dirty moist areas.
How do I get rid of silverfish?
Silverfish are hard to get rid of because they live in your walls and can’t be driven away by hiding food and water sources. A silverfish can live without food and water for a year. You can, however, make them less comfortable by ventilating moist areas and using a dehumidifier. This won’t eradicate them, but it will drive some away, and can keep the rest from coming out of the walls.
Are Silverfish Harmful?
Are Silverfish Harmful to Humans?
As they do not bite, sting, or carry pathogens, silverfish are not harmful to humans. The idea that these pests are dangerous likely arises from their unusual appearance. Silverfish have a metallic coloring and a carrot-shaped body with three long, thin, tail-like appendages that are attached and protrude from their last body segment.
What Problems Do Silverfish Cause?
Silverfish feed on starchy materials and items that are high in protein. They are active at night and cause damage to books, stored food, and clothing. While these insects do cause problems, silverfish are not harmful to human health and do not carry any diseases.
Home Remedies for Silverfish
Spread Boric Acid Along the Floor
Boric acid is an excellent weapon against household bugs like silverfish bugs. When ingested, boric acid can cause havoc in the bug’s stomach. The powder can also scratch and dry out the fish moth’s exoskeleton due to its abrasive nature.
Spread the boric acid along all corners of the floor and in dark spaces such as the wardrobe and bedroom cabinets. Boric acid doesn’t kill pests immediately so you may not notice any effects until a week has passed.
Boric acid should be used carefully despite being a substance that occurs naturally. All safety precautions (e.g. masks, gloves) should be taken to limit the powder’s exposure to your body. Pet owners and families with young children should use food-grade diatomaceous earth as a safer alternative to boric acid.
Reduce Moisture with a Dehumidifier
Silverfish bugs like to relocate to dark, damp places. You should see an immediate difference after the humidity level is reduced in your home. It’s worthwhile investing in a dehumidifier if you live in an area that has high humidity levels.
In some cases, the high humidity may be due to some sort of house maintenance issue, such as a leaking pipe or a leaking roof. Repairing these issues should make a huge difference in the presence of fish moths and other bugs that thrive in high-humidity environments.
Place Cedar Blocks to Repel Silverfish Bugs
Some studies have concluded that cedar can repel pests like silverfish bugs due to the strong aroma that’s given off by the cedar essential oil.
If you don’t mind the scent of cedar then consider placing some cedar blocks in various places around your home, such as the cabinets and windowsills. Cedar hangers may also help keep the silverfish bugs away from your valuable clothes.
Discard Old Newspapers and Cardboard Boxes
Silverfish bugs and fish moths love to feed on starchy paper-based material. Some homeowners have had their valuable books ruined due to a lack of control against the silverfish population. One of the first steps to eliminating silverfish bugs is to discard any unneeded paper materials.
This includes old newspaper, cardboard boxes, old magazines, and crumbling wallpaper. You should also try to donate any books that you are no longer going to read. Hoarding will only make it more likely for silverfish bugs to appear in your home.