Do you think a silverfish is a fish?Well, it isn’t. In reality, the silverfish is a common insect that is often found in damp places around your home, and it has an affinity towards paper and books.The name silverfish is scientifically used to refer to a primitive-looking insect with the binomial name of Lepisma saccharinum. However, the name is commonly used for other species found in the Zygentoma order. This insect gets its name from the silvery body along with the movement, which makes it look like a fish. Under the microscope, its body actually looks as if it’s covered in scales. As it doesn’t have any wings, the silverfish relies on using its body to move around a place. Moreover, the silverfish also has a diet of starch and carbohydrates that it gets from things like wood and paper. This pest insect is considered a nuisance, and it’s often found lurking in damp and humid areas. So, keep reading this article if you’re interested in learning more about this species.If you enjoyed this article, why not also read about Lord Howe Island, stick insect facts and are snake plants toxic to dogs? Here on Kidadl.Why are silverfish bad?As soon as a silverfish is seen in our home, we immediately think to call pest control to prevent any further damage. However, you’ll be thrilled to know that the silverfish isn’t dangerous to humans or to pets. Yes, it can damage a number of materials that make up its usual eating diet, like wood, clothing, paper, and other related things, but it isn’t harmful to your health.Moreover, some people believe that silverfish can suck the blood of humans, but that isn’t true. Neither does a silverfish crawl into your ears to lay its eggs or bite you at night. The silverfish are nocturnal but will much prefer to be in such places in your property where they can find a good amount of food.Having said that, the bad thing about these pest insects is the way they can spread in your home. You may find a couple of silverfish today, and if you don’t control it, the pest can soon make its way all around the house. These insects can survive at the same place for a long time, as it thrives in places with heavy moisture content. So, it can very well destroy furniture, books, fabrics, and other important cellulose-rich items present at home.It may hint that your home is too damp or humid and even hint at a leak in the basement or attic. Rather than being a sign of a dirty house, it can be the first sign of a problem. Hence, along with calling the pest control service, you should also have a look around your house to make sure that there aren’t any issues.Are silverfish bad in the garden?A common site where silverfish can dwell is in your garden or even in the houseplants that you brought into your home. Even though it can be a skin-crawling site to see the silverfish in your garden, the pest isn’t going to munch on your plant. Instead, a silverfish will feed on dying plant matters, insects, or fungi present in the soil.However, a likely possibility is that the silverfish can make a journey from your garden to the home. So, if you see these pests in your garden, make sure to set up a glue trap or apply an organic insecticide to get rid of silverfish. If you feel that it’s getting out of hand, think about calling pest control. Also, you can spread diatomaceous earth in the area of infestation to cut down on the bugs.How to deal with a silverfish infestation in the house?If you see a significant infestation of these insects, make sure to call the pest control service as soon as possible. They will surely guide you to deal with the bugs and probably kill them, which you should do. So, let’s check out some ways to get rid of silverfish that are also known as fishmoths.If you happen to see a couple of bugs in some areas of your home, you can very well defeat a home silverfish infestation by yourself. The common areas to find the silverfish are near damp wooden walls, damp basements, bookshelves, bathrooms, and even in your pantry. Start by putting the important things in airtight containers and sealed packets, as well as separating the items that have already been feasted on by the silverfish. An easy way to find the pests is by looking for a yellow trail that the silverfish leaves behind while crawling. Take a better look at the cracks of doors and between seams near walls to look for the pests. If you see one or a couple of silverfish in an area, the situation hasn’t turned too dangerous, so don’t worry about it much. What you can do is to get a glass jar and put a piece of bread in it. Now tape up the jar’s mouth leaving a small gap, and let it sit through the night in a place where you found the pests before.You can also spread diatomaceous earth and boric acid around the house, especially in areas like basements that tend to get damp and humid. However, if you have pets and children doing this might be a little tricky. Another thing that you can and should do is to run a powerful dehumidifier 24/7 so that the excess humidity is sucked up by the machine, preventing any more damage from the silverfish.How do you prevent a silverfish infestation in the house?Now that you know about how to deal with silverfish at your home, it’s also important to prevent the case of a silverfish infestation before it can turn harmful. The best way to do this is by introducing the right conditions to your home.If you live in a really hot and humid area, this can mean that your home is full of things that a silverfish can feed and bite into to sustain itself. Hence, you’ll need to take the measure to make it dry to the extent that the environment is comfortable for you. An easy solution is to get a dehumidifier that can suck up the excess moisture.Other than that, it would be best if you also made sure that all cracks, holes, and seams in your house have been sealed so that they cannot be turned into a nest by the silverfish to lay the eggs. If you happen to find nests in these areas, make sure to call an exterminator to help you out. Often times we don’t realize that silverfish can also attack our food source, especially food that’s rich in starch and sugars. So, keep your pantry area dry and pack your food in airtight jars. Another common thing for silverfish to eat is your clothes, so it’s important to ensure that your clothing is fully dry before you place it into the cupboard. Try to vacuum your home for as many days as possible to free it from dust and grime where insects may thrive.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for are silverfish bad? And know how to prevent a silverfish infestation, then why not take a look at have you ever thought, how is metal made? Pure metal facts for kids! Or are roses toxic to dogs? The true guide about rose
Do you think a silverfish is a fish?
