NOW that Autumn is here, it means one thing – it’s silverfish season.
Silverfish are tiny and hard to spot, but these small silver insects can be found scurrying around your home, and if you spot them, you could be facing a big problem.
As silverfish season arrives, we spoke to a pest pro to find out more about the pesky insect[/caption]
Fantastic Pest Control’s pest technician Mihail Velev revealed the areas they thrive in and top tips for getting rid of the teardrop-shaped creatures[/caption]
Mihail claimed that consistency is key when getting rid of silverfish[/caption]
These shiny silver insects, shaped like a teardrop, thrive in damp, humid conditions and love areas with water and moisture.
But if the thought of a silverfish scuttling along your bedroom floor sends shivers down your spine, fear not, as we spoke to a pest control expert to find out how to banish them, and for good.
Fantastic Pest Control‘s pest technician Mihail Velev, told Fabulous: “Adult silverfish are a wingless insect species which are around two centimetres in length.
“This silver-coloured pest has a shiny body with fine fish-like scales and two front antennae. It also has three bristle-like attachments on the back end of the body.
“The reason they’re called silverfish is because of their silver-coloured body and the fish-like movements they make when they move.
“These pests are very common all around the world and, even though they’re generally harmless, they can still be unpleasant when they infest a home.”
Mihail explained silverfish are most commonly found in attics, basements, bathtubs, sinks, kitchens, old books, classrooms, and showers, which are all typical areas with high humidity and moisture.
The pest pro added: “This is because moisture provides them with favourable living conditions, as is the case with many other pests.
“Silverfish are known to feed on materials containing starch and can find sustenance in water-damaged paper products, cardboard and even certain types of glues used in construction materials.
“The most common time of the year to find these pests in your house is generally Autumn because that’s when temperatures outside start to drop, and they look for warmth and humidity indoors.”
According to Mihail, you’re more likely to spot silverfish at night, as he continued: “Silverfish are nocturnal pests. This is because they generally prefer dark spaces and during the day, they will hide anywhere in undisturbed corners or areas and come out at night to look for food.”
But Mihail claimed that whilst silverfish might not look that friendly, they aren’t inherently harmful.
These pests are very common all around the world and, even though they’re generally harmless, they can still be unpleasant when they infest a home
Mihail Velev
He claimed: “In most cases, silverfish aren’t harmful. They rarely bite and don’t have the capacity to puncture human skin because of their weak jaws.
“They also aren’t known to carry any disease or cause infections.
“However, sometimes, they can trigger allergic reactions and cause respiratory problems, specifically for people with pre-existing health conditions.
“Because of this, they are mainly only a nuisance and can’t hurt a person. Despite that, keep in mind that they can contaminate your food when they leave their faeces around your home, so you’ll need to make sure you deal with them on time.”
Living with silverfish
Abigail Wilson, a Senior Digital Writer at Fabulous, has revealed what it was really like to live with silverfish when at University…
She said: “Moving to halls can be an exciting experience, filled with new friendships and academic challenges.
“However, it also comes with its fair share of inconveniences.
“But whilst I thought what I was going to make for dinner, or missing home, would be my biggest problems, it turned out that one of the most unsettling issues was the presence of silverfish.
“I remember the first time I ever saw one…I woke up and spotted it scurrying across my bedroom floor.
“It made me CRINGE and from then on, they appeared to pop up all over my tiny room.
“For many students, silverfish are merely a nuisance. These small, wingless insects are harmless to humans and don’t pose any health risks.
“They tend to scuttle away when the lights are turned on, making them more of an annoyance than a threat.
“However, their presence can be unsettling. The mere thought of sharing your living space with these creepy crawlies can make even the most resilient student uneasy.
“The presence of silverfish often points to larger issues of cleanliness and maintenance within university accommodations – tiny, damp rooms are breeding grounds for these insects, and their presence could indicate problems such as leaks or inadequate cleaning.
“They may seem like a minor issue in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll definitely never forget it, and am thankful I haven’t seen one since (fingers crossed).”
How to get rid of them
If you’ve spotted silverfish in your home and are looking to get rid of them, Mihail has shared everything you need to know.
He advised: “In general, to get rid of silverfish, you’ll need to use preventative practices. Keep your kitchen floors, counters and cupboards clean.
“Wipe down any bookcases, closet shelves, and door and window frames.
“Vacuum any hidden spots, such as behind the oven, microwave, toaster, and refrigerator. Declutter the areas where you see silverfish and consider using a pest control spray to kill silverfish on contact if the infestation is severe.
They can contaminate your food when they leave their faeces around your home
Mihail Velev
“Besides that, because they’re attracted to high humidity, consider installing and using exhaust fans in the bathrooms, kitchens and other areas prone to high humidity and using a dehumidifier to maintain optimal humidity levels between 40-60%.
“Fix any leaks promptly, seal any potential entry points for them, such as cracks, gaps and crevices in your walls, floors and around pipes, and remove any potential silverfish food sources by storing your food items in airtight containers.
“Some other things you can use as natural silverfish repellents include diatomaceous earth, which you can sprinkle in areas with silverfish presence. It’s a natural drying agent that dehydrates and kills them.
“Consider also using cedar-based products, such as cedar blocks or cedar oil, which is a natural repellent for silverfish.”
When you’re dealing with silverfish, keep in mind that consistency is key and silverfish control requires ongoing efforts
Mihail Velev
Mihail also revealed the £1.49 buy from The Range that they can’t stand – lavender oil – as he recommended: “You can also make use of essential oils with silverfish-repelling properties, such as lavender, citrus or cinnamon.
“You can soak cotton balls in them and place them in infested areas.
“Another product to use includes boric acid powder which you can apply in cracks, crevices and other possible hiding spots. Boric acid is an effective insecticide that’s relatively safe for humans and pets when used appropriately.
What is the life-cycle of a silverfish?
Fantastic Pest Control’s pest technician Mihail Velev told Fabulous:
“Usually, it takes four to six weeks for a silverfish to transform from an egg to a nymph and then to an adult.
“The eggs will usually hatch in three to six weeks and newly hatched silverfish basically look like adult specimens and will acquire the distinctive silver and shiny appearance within 40 days from hatching.
“They have a lifespan ranging from two to eight years and a female specimen usually hatches up to 100 eggs in its lifetime, which amounts to three to 20 eggs per day.
“This makes their presence hard to detect right away and, often, they are found a lot later after their arrival inside a home.”
“In any case, when you’re dealing with silverfish, keep in mind that consistency is key and silverfish control requires ongoing efforts.
“Consistently implement preventive measures and monitor for any signs of re-infestation.
“Besides that, address other possible pest infestations. Silverfish may be attracted to areas infested by other pests and addressing other pest problems can also help with silverfish control.”
But if you’ve tried everything and nothing seems to work, Mihail explained: “If there is a large number of silverfish in your home, the infestation persists and you’re worried about your or someone in your household’s health, it will be best to call a professional pest control service.
“They can conduct a thorough inspection, identify the source of the infestation and apply targeted treatments.”
