Dispelling Silverfish Myths

Silverfish are slimy little bugs that are often found crawling on kitchen and bathroom floors. In accordance with the name, their bodies are silver in colour and range from a half inch to one inch in length. Three bristles extend from their abdomen.

Silverfish aren’t dangerous pests since they don’t bite, sting or spread diseases. However, they cause nuisance through infestation and damage items by feeding on them. Silverfish eat everything with polysaccharides and starch, such as photos, papers, wallpaper glue, book bindings, and more. Homeowners will often find holes in items and traces of scales and feces if the infestation is large.

The presence of silverfish is often an indication of a large, underlying issue. Silverfish thrive in moisture and they need high levels of humidity to survive. Silverfish also enter homes by protruding holes that were originally caused by water damage. The sighting of silverfish indicates the presence of moisture and water problems inside your home. The problems may include clogged gutters, leaky pipes or damage to the foundation of the infrastructure. Silverfish are mostly found in bathrooms, basements, kitchens and other areas of the house with big moisture levels.

COMMON SILVERFISH MYTHS

Silverfish is a common pest among households. A lot of people are misinformed about silverfish and it is important dispel the myths and be knowledgeable about the facts while dealing with these pests.

Myth#1 Silverfish can Swim: the pest resembles a fish, especially when it crawls on the floor, however it can’t swim.

Myth#2 Silverfish are a Form of Fish: the word “fish” included in the name of silverfish gets derived from it’s swift movements like a fish, in reality, it is just a small insect.

Myth #3 Silverfish are Always Silver: they are commonly found in the colour silver, however, silverfish also comes in white, brownish grey, and blue tint.

Myth #4 Silverfish Bite: they do not bite or sting.

Myth #5 Silverfish can Harm Pets: they pose no threat to humans or pets. Silverfish do not carry any types of diseases and aren’t dangerous in any way. They can only cause significant damage to the household items that they feed on.

Myth #6 Silverfish Thrive in Dry Places: they require moisture to survive and in fact, come into homes in search of high humidity and food. Moisture is the reason they are commonly found in bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. If you sight a silverfish in your home then it’s a sign of persisting moisture issues in your home.

The presence of pests can be an indication of larger problems inside your home, if you have sighted any types of pests in your home, contact Gilpin’s Pest Control today! We make it a priority to combat your pest issues with least toxic pesticide solution possible.

Contact Gilpin’s Pest Control! We use effective methods to rid your house of general Vancouver pests, such as bed bugs, mice, rats, cockroaches, carpenter ants, and wildlife such as, birds, rodents, and bats. Gilpin’s team of experts are highly equipped to handle seasonal pest infestation, apply preventative solutions to your home, utilize environment friendly problems, and ensure a prolonged protection of your home against pests.

Visit gilpinspestcontrol.com to view all our services. You can also call us at 604-459-7378.