Ever wonder why, when you put old books and magazines in, say, the attic, or even on a bookshelf, the pages can sometimes disintegrate or have a ‘chewed’ appearance? That’s because of silver fish, insects that live to eat your paper belongings, skimping on nothing, including diaries and other keepsakes.
Silverfish live in humid and humid climates throughout the world. They are usually found in densely populated cosmopolitan regions. These winged insects get their name from having a silvery color and movements that resemble those of a fish. They are practically harmless to human health, but they will wreak havoc on your belongings (anything that contains starch): books, magazines, pillows, bedding, clothes, carpets, food, and even your hair.
You can find silverfish anywhere in your home or office, but they love dark, damp places like attics, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, docks, and more. They also love to eat pasta, which means even the wallpaper in your home is at risk. You’ll know if you have them based on the oddly shaped holes left. Plus, they’re big enough that you can see them.
If you have silverfish, you may need to call a pest control professional to help mitigate the problem. This will also ensure that you receive the correct diagnosis of the problem and that the proper solution is used to treat Silverfish. You don’t want to try to treat your house for silverfish, only to realize you’re dealing with termites.
Most pest control professionals will use a product containing boric acid to kill silverfish. The insects ingest the acid, which their stomachs cannot digest, and die. Once your home has been sprayed by your pest control professional, you will need to thoroughly vacuum your home. Get ready to clean the carcasses of insects. Hey, dead bugs have to go somewhere, right?
Once you’ve mitigated the bug problem, you’ll want to take preventative steps to ensure you don’t run into problems with Silverfish or other bug infestations again. Be sure to vacuum frequently. Don’t keep old newspapers and magazines in piles (we’re in a digital age, folks. It’s okay to part with old newspaper articles. If you need to, scan them).
Don’t leave food out. Store it in the fridge. Silverfish love sugars. They feed on starches. Consider putting a dehumidifier in your home or using fans to keep things cool and circulate air throughout the house. If your home feels like a sauna every day, you should fix it anyway.
Most importantly, be sure to schedule routine professional pest control to ensure you’re protecting your home from silverfish and other insects. It’s far better to be on the preventative side of the problem than to have to witness these creepy, crawling bugs, or clean up a massive mess of bug carcasses.