Silverfish Treatment & Extermination Services
Thought to be among the most ancient insects, silverfish are a species of small, wingless insects belonging to the order Zygentoma. Predating even the dinosaurs — these silvery, metallic-colored insects have a fish-like shape and have been crawling the earth for over 400 million years. Silverfish are a nuisance pest found across the United States and are often found in the humid areas of homes, such as bathrooms and attics. These pests are infamous for eating fabrics and damaging clothes, paper, and wallpaper.
Worried about a silverfish infestation? Our pest control company offers comprehensive silverfish extermination and treatment services to home and business owners throughout North Central Florida. Contact Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc. today to request a free estimate on our pest control services!
Silverfish Identification
Silverfish are small, pearl gray-ish insects whose outer shells shine, making them appear silver. Full-grown silverfish are generally about half an inch to three-quarters of an inch in length. Younger silverfish tend to be smaller and white but look just like their mature counterparts. The silverfish’s flattened body is often compared to a teardrop, carrot, or fish, tapering from head to tail and generally covered in scales. Silverfish get their name from their silvery, metallic appearance and how they move, similar to fish. Their antennae are threadlike, and their eyes are small and widely spaced. Finally, these insects have no wings but can run very fast. If you see these insects around your home, don’t hesitate to contact a silverfish exterminator!
Signs Of Silverfish
The sooner you schedule silverfish removal for an infestation, the less damage they can do to the fabrics in your home. Accordingly, knowing what to look for can help you seek the necessary silverfish control services. The following are some common signs silverfish have made their way into your home.
- Skin Molts – Silverfish shed their skin as they grow. The molted shells of silverfish are delicate, transparent husks, and if you see them around your home, it’s a good indication of an infestation.
- Droppings – Silverfish droppings look like black peppercorns and are commonly found in areas of the home silverfish frequent, such as beneath cupboards or furniture.
- Damaged Belongings – One of the biggest signs silverfish are in your home is damaged belongings. Specifically, since silverfish eat starchy foods and fabrics, look for damage to wallpaper, clothes, linens, paper, and cardboard.
- Yellow Stains – When silverfish molt their skin, they leave behind a yellowish residue. Even if you don’t spot molted skin, you may notice yellow stains on surfaces where silverfish have shed.
- Live Silverfish – Silverfish are nocturnal insects, so it’s pretty difficult to spot one. However, if spot one around your home, it’s a pretty good indication of a larger infestation.
Tips To Prevent Silverfish
Silverfish are incredibly creepy-looking nuisance pests any homeowner would prefer to keep out of their home. Taking precautions to prevent silverfish from entering your property is the best way to avoid dealing with an infestation. The following are a few practices home and business owners can implement to help prevent a silverfish infestation.
- Get rid of piles of dust, leaves, wood, and dead plants around the perimeter of your home.
- Dust around your home often.
- Don’t keep items silverfish are attracted to in your home for long periods, such as paper, cardboard boxes, and items with adhesive.
- Use caulking to cover up holes, cracks, and other openings on the exterior of your home.
- Ventilate moist areas around your home or use dehumidifiers in rooms with high humidity.
- Store clothes in a dry environment that silverfish won’t be attracted to.
Our 12-Step Home Pest Control Program
Our services combine the latest innovations in pest control technology and practices with the skill and experience of our highly-trained exterminators. Our professional extermination company creates customized plans to eradicate pests from your property and prevent them from returning. Champion Termite & Pest Control utilizes a 12-step pest control program for integrated pest management. Our extensive pest control methods include baiting behind wall plate covers where bugs commonly breed; treating cracks and crevices in hard-to-reach areas, such as plumbing; baiting under appliances and within attics and crawl spaces; sweeping-down spider webs on property exteriors; applying a repellent around windows, doors, eaves, the base of properties, and a 3-foot-wide band of moisture-activated granules around the property perimeter. Our customers can also expect a follow-up call two weeks following their service to ensure satisfactory results and a quality pest control visit six months following treatment to reapply exterior treatments and ensure pests remain off the property.
- Bait Around Trees & Shrubs
- 3-Foot Band Of Moisture Activated Granule
- Sweep Down Exterior For Service
- Apply Clear Drying Barrier To Exterior
- Treat Attic & Crawl Space
- Inject Dust In Wall Outlets
- Inject Bath & Kitchen Kickplates
- Bait Under Heavy Appliances
- Treat Interior Cracks & Crevices
- Apply Gel Bait
- Ten-Day Follow-Up Service Call
- Six-Month Follow-Up*
*First Four Steps Repeated
Silverfish FAQs
Silverfish live in leaf litter and other natural crevices in their natural habitat, such as under rocks and logs. These insects are attracted to any dark environment with an abundance of moisture, which can draw them into homes and commercial buildings. Silverfish often make their way into a building through holes and cracks in windows or roofs. Once they make their way inside, silverfish will search for a food source, and if they find it they’ll start laying eggs. Since silverfish are nocturnal, elusive, and can live relatively long, they can easily grow their population. If you notice any silverfish around your home, don’t hesitate to contact our silverfish exterminators.
Silverfish are not directly harmful to humans and do not bite, sting, or carry disease. However, silverfish droppings and molted skin can cause reactions in people with severe allergies. Beyond that, silverfish are only dangerous to fabrics around your home.
The experienced pest control team with Champion Termite and Pest Control, Inc. offers high-quality silverfish treatment services across the greater North Central Florida area. We offer the following services throughout North Central Florida.
