The silverfish is a tiny wingless insect that is a species of Zygmentoma. As their name, they will look like a fish and they are combined grey and white in colour, so they are called silverfish. These species are scientifically called Lepsima Saccharinum, this means that this species diet consists of carbohydrates, sugar, and starch. As announced by the Entomological Society of America, a maximum of species of Zygmentoma are called silverfish instead of their scientific name Lepsima Saccharinum. This makes their name and pronunciation easier, in this article, we will the factors attracting silverfish in your home.
Are Silverfish Dangerous?
Many people think that silverfish are harmful to human health because of their appearance. It is proven that silverfish do not bite humans and they do not carry pathogens too. They are not so harmful to humans, but their droppings can cause some allergens to some people who have allergic issues.
Though they are not harmful to humans, they can damage the properties available in your place. Though these species have a good diet, it needs carbohydrate and sugar, so they will eat all the sugar products and food products like cereals, rice, and other ingredients in your kitchen.
They can even chew all the newspaper, carboards and you can also find holes in your clothes. They can make stains in your carpets, mattresses, and in furniture beds if they are crushed.
Factors Attracting Silverfish in your Home
Here we will discuss what causes silverfish infestation in your home. It is important to look for the three main factors attracting silverfish in your home and they are,
Dampness
These silverfish prefer more humidity than the dry atmosphere. They love to live in wet and moist conditions, and they can be often found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and cabinets.
Dark & Warm Places
Silverfish will love to roam around your house to search for food during the nighttime. They prefer darkness more than light; they love to hide in darkness and congested areas from the human visibility. They can be found common in basements with a temperature of 70 to 90 degrees in darkness during summer.
Carbohydrates & Proteins
As mentioned above they love to eat carbohydrates like flour, cereals, and oats, and starch content in papers, book bindings, insulation, carboards and glue. They even love to eat proteins like dead bugs and dry beef.
How to get rid of Silverfish?
Though they are not harmful to humans, it is important to avoid their presence to have a healthy living environment. You can also avoid huge structural damage and prevent your properties in the home by avoiding their presence. Here are some of the DIY methods to get rid of silverfish.
- Store all the food products in a closed container
- Inspect all the gaps and cracks in your home, where they will hide and lay eggs
- Seal all the entry points including attic and basements
- Deep clean your house to eliminate all the pests in your place
- They are commonly found in the photo frames and books, it is important to clean all your properties to eliminate their presence.
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier, silverfish are not dangerous to human health, but they can cause structural damage. It is important to avoid their presence to prevent your properties from damage. Thus, the factors attracting silverfish in your home and their control methods have been discussed. These DIY methods can defend only for a few days, you should hire a professional pest control service to get rid of silverfish for years.