Silverfish have a voracious appetite not only for food, but for some of your home’s most valuable possessions. One of the most common indoor pests in south Florida, these insects are drawn to dry starchy foods like flour or cereals. However, they can also make a meal out of paper, books and fabrics. Like any pest infestation, if silverfish persist for an extended time period, damage can be considerable.

Sanitation is the first line of preventive measures. Eliminate crumbs and other food sources by vacuuming regularly and cleaning up spills promptly. Dispose of books, magazines and newspapers that are no longer needed. Closets and other areas that harbor the insects should be regularly cleaned. Valuable books or papers should be sealed in plastic bags and exposed to freezing temperatures in the freezer to kill adults as well as their eggs.

Environmental control can also reduce the attraction factor. Humidity reduction by using A/C units or dehumidifiers produces a drier environment that’s less friendly to silverfish. Prompt repair of water leaks also deprives them of sources of moisture.

While timely preventive measures inside the home can keep silverfish out, they won’t typically be effective at ridding the home of an existing infestation. That’s where the skills and expertise of a pest control provider are invaluable. Eradication requires a coordinated approach with the application of chemicals that are specific to the job. Liquid, dust or bait formulas may be used in combination to produce the best results. In living spaces, liquids are generally the standard for applications around baseboards and in cracks and crevices where the insects may hide. Because dust formulations may migrate, they’re often reserved for use in unconditioned areas of the home like attics and crawl spaces. Follow-up inspections and spot treatments to ensure complete control of an infestation are usually advised by pest control professionals.

South Florida homeowners know and rely upon the expertise of Haggerty Pest Service, offering effective pest control since 1985. Ask us for more advice about preventing and eradicating silverfish infestations in your home.

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