This aptly named, elusive pest resembles a silver fish. They like damp, dark places and are nocturnal, so homeowners may not know they've got an infestation. Consider these tips to prevent silverfish in your home.
Silverfish feed off paper, textiles and crumbs and are usually brought in on cardboard or some other object near an infestation, the University of Minnesota stated. They're often found in urban environments and will happily crawl into your home if they think you've got desirable goods. Females lay 100 eggs at a time, so an infestation could happen quickly.
They're a shy pest and will scurry away at any sight of humans or animals. Most often silverfish are found in kitchens and bathrooms, where there are plenty of damp and dark places to hide. However, their trademark is holes in any paper goods you've got. It doesn't matter how important the paper is - they'll eat it. Homeowners may be irritated if an important legal document or memento is chowed down on by a pack of silverfish. Your clothes aren't safe, either - silverfish have a taste for any textile that has a starchy feel and will gladly nibble on those too.
If you like keeping your papers and clothes intact, follow these insect management tips.
If you do have a silverfish problem, don't try a do-it-yourself job. Instead, call pest management services to handle the problem.