You may have taken note of the word "pesky" in the title of this article. Does that seem like an inappropriate description of silverfish? If so, you may not know enough about silverfish. Today, we're going to look at two key silverfish facts to help you better understand the dangers they present, discuss some tips to help you keep them out, and look at what works best to address a silverfish infestation.
Are Silverfish In Charlotte Poisonous?
In light of the fact that we referred to silverfish as "pesky" pests, this is an interesting question. Are silverfish poisonous? No. They do not have venom that can poison you, like a black widow spider. They can, however, get into your food and contaminate it. This can lead to food poisoning. Fortunately, this is very rare. A silverfish would have to climb in your trash, or some other dirty place, and then get into your stored foods to poison them. In most cases, they're just annoying pests that damage your belongings. They're not considered a health threat.
Do Silverfish Mean My Charlotte Home Is Dirty?
When you find silverfish in your house, it may make you wonder why they're coming inside. If you know why they're getting in, you can alter these conditions to keep them out, right? This is the second of the two silverfish facts you should know. Not only are silverfish not considered a health threat, but they're not dirty pests either. Finding silverfish in your house doesn't mean it's dirty. It is likely to mean you have a moisture issue. These insects are drawn to humid or damp habitats. If you have a silverfish habitat in your home, you're going to have problems with these insects.
How Can I Stop Silverfish From Getting Into My Charlotte Home?
Okay. What have we learned so far? Are silverfish poisonous? No. That means you don't have to be scared of them, and you can (if you wish) address a silverfish infestation yourself. Are silverfish drawn to dirty homes? No. That means prevention doesn't begin with sanitation. It begins with moisture control. Here are recommendations if you want to deal with silverfish on your own:
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Keep things dry. Getting rid of silverfish can be as simple as addressing moisture and humidity in your home. Turn your fan on in the bathroom when you take a shower. Use fans in other key areas that stay humid. Install dehumidifiers. Fix leaky faucets and other plumbing issues.
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Remove food options. Silverfish eat paper, cardboard, fabrics, and other things that contain starches. When you store your belongings in plastic totes, you protect them from silverfish damage and remove a food source that allows these insects to stay in your home. Be sure to protect your kitchen and pantry foods as well. It doesn't cost much to get a bunch of plastic containers for your food, and it is an investment that can protect the human food silverfish eat.
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Seal your exterior. This will stop silverfish from getting into your home. Silverfish don't chew through wood, like carpenter ants or termites. They use holes that already exist. If you want to keep them out and prevent silverfish damage, you need to seal gaps, cracks, and holes.
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Address exterior moisture. Clean your gutters and make repairs to your gutter system to prevent the perimeter dampness that can attract silverfish and create a silverfish habitat near your home.
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Remove leaves, dead branches, grass clippings, weeds, and other vegetation that is near your exterior walls and foundation.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Silverfish In Your Charlotte Home
Getting rid of silverfish can be a slow process or a fast process. While you can take the slow route, drive them out, and seal them out, there is a faster way. If you live in Charlotte, you can reach out to Go-Forth Pest Control for assistance. We use Integrated Pest Management and industry-leading residential pest control solutions to remove silverfish and keep them out. This is a process of inspection, pest identification, evaluation of conducive conditions, application of a treatment plan, and ongoing monitoring.
When treatments are performed by a licensed pest management professional, you'll know for sure that your infestation has been properly addressed and that your belongings are no longer being damaged by these insects. If you know that silverfish are damaging your stuff, or you're concerned about them damaging your stuff, this is the best way to deal with them.
Connect with us today if you have any questions about silverfish in Charlotte, or if you would like to schedule a service visit. We'll send a friendly and knowledgeable pest control technician over to take a look at your problem and tell you what you're up against. We're here to help with effective pest control in Charlotte.
