Why is it that silverfish are found in some homes, and not in others? What is it about certain homes that will attract these creepy looking insects? In this article, we are going to explore this question, and give some advice on what you can do to make your home less attractive to silverfish.
What Are Silverfish Attracted To Outside Our Homes?
Like several other home-invading insects, silverfish are attracted to moisture. And there are many conditions or items that can be found in a yard, or near a foundation, that can cause things to be moist:
- Yard waste left on your property. Piles of leaves or other yard waste is a magnet for moisture-loving pests, especially if there has been any rain.
- Rocks, wooden materials, or anything else that can trap moisture underneath. Anything that traps moist soil underneath it can be a haven for silverfish and other pests.
- Mulch. Mulch is famous for retaining moisture. If you have wet mulch around your home, silverfish will be drawn in.
- Bushes, trees, or other vegetation up close to your foundation. If you have things growing up close to your home, this will cause shaded areas that do not dry up quickly after it rains.
- Leaky or obstructed gutters. If your gutters are spilling water, then you likely have areas on your home where the wood is damp or rotting. Not only will this attract moisture-loving pests, but it will also make it easier for pests to chew their way into your home.
It’s worth mentioning that if you see silverfish inside your home, it’s likely that you are also attracting other moisture-loving pests such as earwigs and termites.
What Are Silverfish Attracted To Inside Our Homes?
Since silverfish are attracted to moisture, having a moist environment inside a home will make silverfish feel right at home. A humid environment, leaky pipes or fixtures, or any other condition that causes moisture or water build-up, will attract moisture-loving pests. But silverfish are also attracted to several other things, namely, things that they like to eat.
Here are a few food sources that may attract silverfish to your home:
- Books. Silverfish love to eat a good book. And they don’t care if that book is something you plan to donate to Goodwill or a treasured keepsake that has been in your family for generations. Silverfish love to get inside a book and eat away at the glue that holds that book together.
- Fabrics. Silverfish will also nibble on fabrics, especially if that fabric has food or drink spilled on it, or if it contains starches or adhesives. But they also enjoy chewing on cotton, linen, silk, and even leather items. If you have special clothing items stored away, such as a wedding dress, then it is not a good idea to have these destructive insects roaming around in your home.
- Wallpaper. If you are fond of your wallpaper, silverfish are even more fond of it. Silverfish eat the paste off of the back of wallpaper. This will eventually cause it to sag and peel off the walls, and put a small, or perhaps not-so-small, dent in your wallet when you need to re-paper or paint.
- Pantry items. Silverfish love to chew through packaging, exposing food to the air. This will either allow the food to spoil or get stale or, worse, you could find yourself face to face with a silverfish floating around in your cereal bowl.
- Pet food. One common mistake that can attract silverfish is leaving pet food out overnight. These nocturnal insects are attracted to the protein and carbohydrates in pet food and can easily access it if it is not properly stored.
- Old photos. Silverfish will sometimes eat old photos and, literally, deface them. If you have memories stored away in a box of old photos and you have silverfish in your home, know that those memories could be erased.
To help prevent a silverfish infestation in your home, there are several steps you can take to reduce moisture in and around your home, and there is work that can be done to seal up the exterior of your home.
But if you are finding these creepy, crawly, destructive insects inside your home already, you may need the help of a professional pest control company to completely eradicate them. Not only can we take care of your silverfish infestation, we can also help you seal up your home and provide treatments so that silverfish and other, more destructive, pests, do not invade in the future.
How Do You Get Rid Of Silverfish?
If you have found yourself dealing with an active silverfish invasion, consider reaching out to the pest control professionals here at Moyer. Our year-round pest control options will keep your home free from a whole host of dangerous household pests. To schedule pest control services for your home, give us a call at 215.799.2010 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.