Silverfish Identification & Prevention

Protect Your Home From Silverfish With Gold Star Exterminators

You might think seeing the occasional silverfish inside your Del Rio home is no big deal, but Texas silverfish can be a bigger problem than you'd believe. 

Frequently Asked Question About Silverfish

What are silverfish?

Silverfish are oddball insects that get their name from their strange resemblance to fish. They taper from the head to the tail, just like fish. They have silver coloring, just like a lot of fish. And they even have long tails at the end of their abdomens that look like fins. All this makes them look like tiny minnows swimming around when they crawl up your wall or across your ceiling. 

Are silverfish dangerous?

Silverfish are not considered dangerous. They can contaminate food items with their dirty feet, but they are not known to carry any diseases. They don't sting or bite, and they can't do much of anything else to defend themselves. This makes them a nuisance pest when it comes to your health.

On the other hand, silverfish can be more dangerous to your property. The silverfish diet consists mostly of starch and a little protein. They will get these nutrients from a variety of sources, including natural fabrics, pantry stores, and even paper goods. This means they can and do destroy things like books, clothing, and even wallpaper. 

Why do I have a silverfish problem?

Silverfish are attracted to several different things in your house. They want the food you have stored in your pantry, the fabric in your dresser drawers, and the books on your bookshelves. They also love moisture, meaning if you have issues with condensation or humidity, you will be seeing a lot of silverfish. And of course, like most pests, a silverfish will also be attracted to the climate-controlled shelter your home provides. 

Where will I find silverfish?

Silverfish like to keep out of your way, so you may not see a live silverfish even if you have a silverfish infestation. If you do see them, they will likely be in places with lower foot traffic, such as inside closets, cabinets, or pantries. You may also see silverfish in bathrooms and other places with lots of moisture. If they are eating your clothing, you may run across them inside your drawers and other clothing storage areas.

How do I get rid of silverfish?

Silverfish treatment is not all that easy to accomplish on your own because there are just not a lot of effective silverfish control products on the market. Most of the foggers and baits you will find will not eliminate entire populations; they will just temporarily reduce the number of silverfish in your house.

This is not nearly as effective as the treatment that we can offer here at Gold Star Exterminators. Our silverfish control technologies and techniques are much more effective at eradicating whole silverfish populations than anything you can buy at a store. So if you are already seeing silverfish or silverfish damage in your house, don't hesitate to contact us. 

How can I prevent silverfish in the future?

Fortunately, silverfish prevention is a lot easier than silverfish elimination. Pretty much all you have to do is make your home more hostile to these pesky pests by cutting off their access to the things they need to thrive. To do this: 

• Take care of moisture problems like condensation and humidity issues. 
• Store all pantry foods, including pet foods, in airtight containers. 
• Keep all the garbage on your property covered tightly.
• Seal cracks and holes in the exterior of your home to bar silverfish entry.
• Lock natural fabrics in vacuum-sealed containers for long-term storage. 

The good news is that taking these measures can help make your home less attractive to many other pests along with silverfish. The great news is if you wind up with an infestation of silverfish or any other pest problems, we can put those pests to rest here at Gold Star Exterminators!