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Silverfish: What They Are and the Damage They Can Do

On average, each American home contains 100 species of different bugs. Not all of these are pests, in fact, some of them play a vital role in your home’s ecosystem. However, some are less welcome than others.


You’re probably familiar with common household pests like roaches and termites but what about silverfish? Finding these little grey insects crawling around your home can be extremely disturbing.


Found a silverfish in your home? Then read on to find out more about them and what to do next!

  • What Are Silverfish?
  • How Can Silverfish Damage Your Home?
  • How to Get Rid of Silverfish
  • Get Help Today!

What Are Silverfish?


Silverfish are small insects that have been around for millions of years. They’re named due to their grey-silver appearance.

They can be up to an inch long, have thick bodies and long antennas at the front and back of their bodies. However, unlike other household pests, they have not evolved to fly.

Perhaps one of the most unique things about silverfish is their lifespan. They can live for up anywhere between two and eight years. This means if one does move into your home, it could be there for quite some time!

These little creepy-crawlies are most active in the evening and at night. This means you’ll usually spot them just before bedtime, often in the bathroom.

So are silverfish dangerous and how can they harm your home?

How Can Silverfish Damage Your Home?


First things first, the dangers of silverfish won’t affect you directly. Despite their unpleasant appearance, silverfish don’t carry poison or diseases. However, they do shed their skin and this can trigger allergic reactions in some people.


Unfortunately, silverfish home damage can be much more extensive. These little grey insects love to chew through starchy materials. This means they often do damage to items around your home such as paper, pictures, books, and cloth.


Over a period of time, they can do some serious damage to your personal belongings. While you might not mind if a stack of toilet rolls are chewed, finding holes in your clothing is less than ideal!

Must Read: What Is the Average Cost of Pest Control?

How to Get Rid of Silverfish


Silverfish might be small but they can be extremely tough, which makes them tricky to get rid of. They also nest in hard-to-reach areas of your home like in the roof.


This is why it is a good idea to get professional help when dealing with an infestation of silverfish. A trained professional will be able to identify any affected areas. They’ll then target these safely with a treatment to stop the silverfish from returning.


They will also be able to advise you on how to stop the silverfish from coming back in the future. And they will be able to discuss different pest control options, such as eco-friendly pest control, with you.

Get Help Today!


As you can see, having silverfish in your home is far from ideal. They can do serious damage to your personal belongings and can hang around for a long time.


If you are concerned about silverfish or other pests in your home, get in touch today. We’re here to help!

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