What Attracts Silverfish to Your Home?

Pest Control Carlsbad Ca.
Silverfish, silver colored, fast-moving, nocturnal insects that’s habits are similar to cockroaches. Like cockroaches, silverfish can cause allergic reactions in some people, but are primarily nuisance pests that don’t bite and don’t spread pathogens that cause disease. However, they can contaminate food, damage paper goods and stain clothing, so you definitely don't want them hanging around your home.
Understanding what attracts silverfish is important to helping get rid of them and keeping them out of your house.
What are silverfish?
As their name suggests, they are silver or gray insects. The wingless adults are about one-half of an inch to an inch in length and their flat bodies help them to slip easily into crevices.
Here are the things that silverfish are attracted to:
Moisture
Silverfish are sensitive to moisture and need high humidity to survive, so they're attracted to humid, damp conditions. You can find often find silverfish in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and cabinets.
Warm, dark places
Silverfish typically prefer dark hiding places with temperatures between 70–90 degrees.
Carbohydrates and protein
They like carbohydrates like flour, rolled oats and starches in cardboard boxes, paper, book bindings, glue and insulation. They also eat protein, such as dried beef and dead insects.
Help get rid of silverfish
Reduce moisture
Repair any leaky pipes and faucets. Always use the ventilation fan when showering and cooking. Use a dehumidifier in damp areas to reduce water condensation and humidity. Keeping gutters and downspouts free of debris, and make sure your grade outside your home is draining away from your house.
Remove food sources
Always store cereal, flour, pasta, pet food and pet treats in plastic airtight containers.
Eliminate openings.
Use caulking to seal cracks and crevices under and behind baseboards, around windows and door trim. You can also seal holes in walls and floors where pipes pass.
Vacuum regularly, carpet, floors and upholstered furniture. Silverfish hide and lay their eggs in cracks and crevices, so target these areas when you’re cleaning. Empty the vacuum contents outside so the bugs can’t escape inside your home.
A silverfish infestation is fairly uncommon but in areas near the more humid beaches they are found more often. If you are having a silverfish problem try the tips give in this article, if that doesn’t work give Wheeler’s Pest Control a call at 877-595-2847. We would be glad to help you get silverfish and other insect out of your home.