Have you seen silverfish around your property? Have you found holes in your favourite books, or clothes? You may have a silverfish infestation.
Having a silverfish infestation is a problem in many Australian homes. Although they seem harmless, these insects feed on starchy objects, especially books and paper products. And because of their small, flat bodies, they can squeeze through any space, making it difficult to exterminate them and prevent further damage. But what are your options for eliminating them once and for all?
Decrease food sources in your property
Silverfish hangs around your property for two things: food and shelter. When you eliminate their food source, they will most likely look for other places to nest in. Do this by regularly cleaning up the floors, washing the laundry as soon as you can, and avoiding storing books on the floor as they will be easy for the silverfish to access. You may also want to store old clothing in plastic bags, keeping food in sealed plastic containers, repainting walls or adding new wallpaper, and storing storage boxes in shelves rather than placing them on the floor, causing them to catch moisture and become a breeding ground for silverfish.
Fill up the cracks and crevices where they might pass through
Because silverfish can enter through cracks and crevices in the walls, ceilings, and floors, it’s a good idea to fill them in with some caulk. Doing so will prevent them from having entryways, quick exits, and a nest to lay their eggs. Prioritise putting caulk in damp rooms such as bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth near where they crawl
Diatomaceous earth, a form of white powder created from algae, is highly-effective when used for silverfish. Sprinkle it on areas where silverfish might roam and you can eliminate them easily. When DE gets in contact with the silverfish, it sticks to their bodies and their waxy coating absorbs the moisture they have in their bodies, causing them to die.
Reduce your property’s humidity levels
Silverfish infestationsthrive in humid and moist areas of the property. Their favourite hiding spots are leaky pipes, wet bathrooms, and damp basements among many others. To make your home unappealing to these pests, seal out exterior cracks with caulk. You may also use a dehumidifier in your home which can reduce the overall humidity of specific areas. If you don’t have a dehumidifier, you may also keep the air conditioner on or keep the fans on for a given amount of time each day.
Call specialists to exterminate a silverfish infestation
The team at Picton Pest can get rid of silverfish infestations safely and efficiently. We can also help treat your home to keep them away from your property for good. Investing in their services may seem costly for you, but given time, your investment will be worth it as you won’t lose important materials (such as documents, books, and other physical files) or replace items that are of higher value.
Do you have a silverfish problem that’s causing you trouble? Good thing there’s always a silver lining! Contact Picton Pest Control today and let our professional pest controllers keep silverfish away from your home!