If you’ve recently seen a lot of silverfish in your home, you’re probably wondering why. You are likely to notice them in any location in the home, but they are most likely to congregate in humid or moist areas, such as the basement, laundry room or bathroom. This is because silverfish are attracted to moisture.
Silverfish are also known under a variety of other names such as carpet shark, urban silverfish, and fish moth. The silverfish can grow to be one inch in length, and it has a silvery/light grey coloration. It also has a fish-like shape and movements, hence the name.
The Factors That Increase the Odds of a Silverfish Infestation
We’ve already listed high humidity and moisture as factors that increase the likelihood of a silverfish infestation, but there are other issues that can play a part:
- Moist leaf piles make ideal shelters for silverfish. If you have such piles in your yard, a silverfish infestation may take root, and if the piles are close enough to the home, the silverfish might enter the building soon enough.
- If you have a lot of weeds on your property, these weeds will create shade and hold moisture, which will create another silverfish haven.
- Wood is another big draw for a lot of pests, silverfish included. When wood is in direct contact with the ground, it may harbor moisture.
- Mulch can be filled with moisture and draw silverfish.
- Any object that creates a pocket of moisture when it comes into contact with the ground. This can include tarps, toys, large rocks, and many others.
- Clogged gutters and leaky spigots create clusters of moistures. Removing these issues will greatly reduce the risk of a silverfish infestation.
Prevention Tips
In order to prevent a large infestation of silverfish from taking root on your property, you want to remove these outdoor sources of moisture. Make sure that you do not leave leaf piles on your property for too long, and that any weeded areas are cleared. Move any firewood or construction wood far away from the home, and maybe lift it off the ground. Try to keep the area near your foundation clear of vegetation so that it stays as dry as possible, and make sure that you use crushed rock instead of mulch. Inside the home, use dehumidifiers to keep things dry. If however, despite these steps, you still end up with an infestation, you will need the help of a specialist to get it under control. Contact us today to set up an appointment.