Contrary to their name, silverfish aren't found in the water and aren't even fish. But if you see one in your basement, you may think it is for a second - it's shaped like a fish and moves like one too. Silver, wingless and scaly, silverfish are pests that can affect your home year-round.
Unlike other pests, silverfish don't carry a wide range of illnesses and diseases. Instead, silverfish are more likely to eat stored food or goods - anything high in starch, sugar or protein. For many people, this means boxes, book bindings, clothing and rayon.
These pests are particularly drawn to environments where people store old clothing and books, like attics, basements, closets and eaves. This makes them especially dangerous to homeowners, because silverfish cause damage to items that may be valuable but are unseen for long periods of time. Silverfish can also live for years. The life cycle can take up to three years, but it's usually completed around two.
If you find damage to your stored goods in the basement or attic, consider a pest inspection to check if silverfish could be infesting your home. Pest control services can come in and help you eliminate the issue, protecting your belongings from any further damage.
If you're worried about these pests infesting your home or storage area, take some time to reduce their likelihood of thriving. Silverfish need a significant amount of humidity in order to live and reproduce. Silverfish do best in places where the humidity is between 75 and 90 percent and temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees.
You can address the risk of humidity by fixing any leaks and insulating pipes that are prone to sweating. Pooling or humidity caused by these plumbing issues can help breed more of these pests in your storage area. Investing in a dehumidifier is also a smart idea.
Unlike other pests, silverfish aren't particularly attracted to garbage, so they can exist in clean, well-organized areas. They're also most active at night and can be hard to catch sight of. Patching any holes, cracks or other structural damage can help protect your stored goods.
Unfortunately, in many cases, the only way that people will know that they have a silverfish issue is after spotting damage to cardboard boxes, wallpaper or other stored belongings.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
