Many insects that trouble homeowners are attracted to garbage or food left out at night on kitchen counters. They may spread disease or aggravate allergies with residue they leave behind. They often escape pest control by scurrying away from light or movement when they're discovered.
But those pests aren't silverfish, which may hide away for years in relatively clean storage areas that you rarely check. It's the things you don't have out in your home, but that you treasure nonetheless that are particularly attractive to this particular type of insect. They can reside near old clothing, books or family records for a few years, and you may not see them until you move a box and discover they've been comfortably ensconced underneath it.
What silverfish do like are dark, humid areas that are left untouched for long periods. They may have entered your home on the very things they continue to feed on - book bindings, textiles or cardboard boxes filled with papers. They feed on starchy substances such as glue or paper, but they could turn up in dark cupboards during periods of high humidity to feed on starchy foods like crackers.
If there's one way to discourage silverfish from staying in your home, it's to do a better job of clearing away clutter that has a tendency to build up over the years. Leaving boxes upon boxes of old papers, magazines and books in attics, basements and under eaves may be an open invitation to host silverfish where they like to gather.
Left undisturbed, a single adult silverfish may lay an average of 100 eggs. If the conditions are between 72 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 75 to 95 percent, you've provided the silverfish with its best breeding grounds. Telltale signs that a silverfish infestation has occurred is damage to storage cartons, wallpaper or other stored items that contain paper products. You can set out sticky traps to find out where they're highly populated.
Addressing humid conditions in your home that may occur as a result of leaks, sweating pipes or other plumbing issues is one way to curtail the emergence of a silverfish population in your home. You may also consider installing a dehumidifier in dank basements or attics. If more help is needed, a pest control service like Abell Pest Control can rid your home of the problem and give you tips on preventing a recurrence.
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.
