Silverfish – sleek, silvery insects that like to hang out in dark, damp areas -- can suddenly pop up in your basement or bathroom when they find the perfect humid areas. In addition to attics, kitchens, and baths, they may even hitch a ride on your clothes and furniture.

Here’s how to deal with silverfish and how quality pest control in Nashville can make all the difference.

Silverfish: What Do They Look Like?

Silverfish are wingless, small insects with a distinctive appearance and unique movements. They usually measure a half an inch to one inch long, with long, teardrop-shaped bodies covered with silvery scales. This metallic sheen makes them look like little fish, which is how they got their name. They have three bristle-like appendages called cerci at the rear and two long antennae on their heads. Another reason why they resemble fish is that they move in a slinking, undulating manner.

Are Silverfish Harmful?

Silverfish don’t pose a threat to humans, as they don’t bite, sting, or transmit any diseases. However, they are a nuisance pest that will invade your home and damage items like paper, books, wallpaper, and clothing.

Silverfish: Origins

Silverfish, like many pests, gain entry into your home through gaps in windows and doors, as well as boxes and furniture that have been brought inside. Because they are nocturnal, they prefer dark, damp environments such as kitchens, bathrooms, attics, basements, pantries, laundry rooms, and closets. There, they will eat starchy materials like clothing, paper, and glue.

Silverfish: Diet

The silverfish diet revolves around starchy materials, sugars, and cellulose. If they can’t find a nutritious food source, that’s no problem for them — they will just eat paper, glue, wallpaper, cloth, and books. Bonus if those items have food and drink residue on them. If you have spotted little holes in your favorite sweater or come across fabric shreds at the bottom of your closet, chances are, silverfish are not to blame, as they prefer cardboard storage containers and books. Holes in sweaters may be the work of moths, roaches, carpet beetles, or crickets.

Silverfish thrive in environments with high humidity, which may also alert you to another potential problem in your home: underlying moisture issues. Excessive humidity can lead to mold growth, which can damage fabrics and result in poor air quality. Silverfish reproduction depends highly on damp environments, which is why it’s important to get a silverfish infestation under control quickly.

How to Prevent Silverfish

To keep them from getting in your home in the first place, eliminate their access to food sources. Discard cardboard from packages immediately and keep clutter to a minimum. Fix moisture issues to reduce humidity, and increase airflow throughout the home to cut down on humidity.

Silverfish Control & Pest Management in Nashville TN

If all your efforts have been for nothing and you still have silverfish in your home, contact us today at 615-502-2855 for a free inspection and quote.