You get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom and find a long, silver-colored bug slithering in the sink. The next day, you rummage through a box in the garage and are horrified to find the same type of creepy crawler feasting on the binding of your favorite book. What are these pesky creatures that somehow manage to make your skin crawl as much as cockroaches? They’re silverfish, and although they are harmless to humans, they can cause considerable damage to your possessions and contaminate your food supply if you have an infestation.
Appearance, Habitat and Diet
Silverfish are insects that are long and shaped like a teardrop, and their color varies from brown to silver. Adult silverfish can grow up to an inch in length, and they have two antennae on the head and three projections on the tail end. While they can survive for long periods without food, they generally settle into dark, moist areas where they can feed on starchy foods, paper, natural fabrics and mold. You can find these pests all over your home, including the kitchen pantry, closets, the basement, the bathroom and the attic.
Life Cycle
Silverfish can live anywhere from two to eight years, and females lay eggs throughout their adult lives (up to 50 at a time) and at any time of the year. The eggs take three weeks to hatch, and silverfish reach adulthood within four to six weeks of hatching. These nocturnal creatures move very quickly and often go unnoticed until their quick reproductive cycles allow for a massive infestation.
Controlling and Preventing Silverfish Infestation
While do-it-yourself pest control measures may kill the insects that are visible, they can’t touch the countless others that are lurking in the dark corners of your home, not to mention the eggs that are about to hatch. To truly get to the root of the problem, you need Dallas exterminators you can trust. Our specialists at ABC Home & Commercial Services have the skills and experience to fully assess your infestation and will not only eliminate your problem but also recommend measures you can take to prevent a future infestation.
Dallas Pest Control
Stop these creatures from eating away at your valuable possessions once and for all by calling on the most trusted pest control experts in north Texas. For the best pest control in the Dallas area, including Arlington and Irving, contact ABC today.