Why Your Home Attracts So Many Silverfish

Not every pest is harmful to your home. Silverfish may not necessarily cause damage to your home, but you likely do not want to see a silverfish crawling around. They can move surprisingly fast and this can be unnerving.

Moisture Problems

You may assume that attracting a certain type of pest indicates that you do not have good sanitation in your home. The good news is that this is not necessarily the case. Rather than a sanitation problem, you are more likely to have a moisture problem.

If you have a moisture problem, one of the most common reasons is that your plumbing has sprung a leak. When you have a plumbing leak, you will likely have a higher water bill that can't be explained. You may hear a dripping sound somewhere in your home. Along the baseboards of walls near your plumbing, you may notice visible dampness.

Areas that have a lot of mold and mildew will have a moisture problem. You should search these locations for signs of water leaks. You may also find pools of water. Also, check underneath vanities and sinks. Some parts can wear out and allow for water leaks, which can provide a source of water for silverfish.

Cold and Dank Places

Silverfish also prefer cold and dank places. If you can keep your home as warm and dry as possible, you will be less likely to encounter them. To keep your home warm, leave your windows open so you can allow sunlight to enter. Consider investing in a dehumidifier. This will remove moisture from the air so that it can be disposed of.

Food Sources

One of the challenges of eliminating silverfish is that they have a taste for materials that are commonly found around your home. They consume cereals, oats, and flour. Fortunately, silverfish are not able to reach these food items when they are stored in sealed plastic containers.

Unfortunately, silverfish can feed on a variety of other items. They might feed on leather, cotton, linen, and silks. They may also consume adhesives found within book bindings. The best solution for stopping silverfish from feeding on these items is to use mothballs. However, silverfish mostly target food items.

If you just can't figure out why you have so many silverfish, consider contacting a pest control service. They may be able to identify the problem in your home that is attracting these pests. To learn more, contact a company like Affordable Pest Control.