Why Silverfish Invade Columbia, SC Homes

It can be curious when a tiny, little, silverfish appears on the floor of your bathroom. You may wonder: "How did that get inside?" But you're not likely to ponder that question for long if you've also had large centipedes and mid-sized hairy wolf spiders also making appearances in your bathroom. Obviously, that one, little silverfish is getting in through the entry points used by those other, larger pests. Where this question is more likely to be of interest is if you go into a storage room in your basement, such as a corner in your boiler room, and find dozens (or even hundreds) of silverfish. A large-scale invasion of silverfish in Columbia, SC is far more vexing than seeing one silverfish every once in a while. But, whether you're seeing one or hundreds of these wiggly little pests, this is a warning sign you should not ignore. Here's what you should know.

Yard Work

A catalyst for silverfish (and other pest) invasions is yard work that has been left undone. Piles of leaves, leaf litter, dead branches on the ground, and other organic debris are attractants for pests. Any insect or invertebrate that prefers a damp environment will be drawn to this debris. If you want fewer silverfish in your home, it is essential to:

• Blow leaves out of your landscaping and out from underneath exterior structures.
• Remove dead branches, sticks, and wood debris.
• Trim grass and remove weeds.

Home Maintenance

Another catalyst for silverfish (and other pest) invasions is improper upkeep of your exterior, particularly your gutter system. It is easy to let gutters go unattended. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, unattended gutters can lead to an oversaturation of the perimeter around your home. This creates the dampness that silverfish and other moisture pests prefer. That moisture can also lead to wood rot. If you've been wondering how silverfish, centipedes, spiders, and other pests are getting into your home, it is likely that they've found an area of rotted wood. These areas can develop gaps and holes that provide entry for pests. They can also be targeted by wood-destroying pests such as termites, carpenter bees, and carpenter ants.

Common Entry Points

A silverfish can get into your Columbia home even if you don't have wood rot. There are many common entry points that silverfish and other pests use. Here are a few examples:

• Damaged door sweeps.
• Gaps in weatherstripping.
• Rips in door and window screens.
• Gaps around window and door frames.
• Damaged window panes.
• Cracks in slab foundations and foundation walls.
• Gaps around foundation penetrations.
• Gaps in sole plates.
• Unprotected weep holes or vents.

Why Silverfish Stay

There are many things silverfish can eat in your home. Your home is filled with food options for a silverfish. 

• They can feed on items made of cardboard, paper, or fabric.
• They eat dead skin cells and hair.
• They eat certain pantry foods and can become pantry pests.
• They eat certain fungi (which are the result of water damage).
• They eat glue and wallpaper paste.

One Thing Silverfish Can't Live Without

If silverfish are getting into your home, they will only stay if they find humid or damp areas. These insects require moisture in order to survive. Some silverfish infestations can be arrested simply by addressing humid conditions and plumbing issues.

• Ventilate humid areas.
• Install dehumidifiers for complex humidity problems.
• Fix leaky showerheads or faucets.
• Use your fan in your bathroom to vent moisture and prevent condensation.

How Go-Forth Home Services Can Help

When pest problems begin, there are often hidden circumstances promoting the problem. These can be costly and time-consuming to address. This is often why homeowners get started with pest control. It is less expensive to invest in year-round pest control than it is to tear a wall apart and replace rotting wood. Routine pest control treatments and pest maintenance performed by a licensed technician provide a layer of protection around your home. This works to repel and knockdown unwanted pests and reduces insect activity around your home. The secondary benefit is that insects are a food source for centipedes, spiders, and other large pests. So, as we're addressing your silverfish problem, we're also working to control a wide range of other pests.

The team here at Go-Forth Home Services can also assist you with arresting a silverfish infestation inside your home. These can be destructive pests. If you don't have the time or energy to drive them out of your home by reducing humidity and moisture, we can use targeted control methods to get rid of them for you.

If you have questions about one-time or year-round pest control in Columbia, we'd be happy to address them. Or, feel free to schedule a service visit if you need immediate assistance. We look forward to helping you diagnose your silverfish infestation and to guiding you in selecting the right control options for your specific needs and budget.