A Silverfish Guide for Pest Control in Sacramento

The silverfish insect is one of the most ancient insects around today. Predating dinosaurs by more than 100 million years these flightless bugs have secured themselves from predators with their speed and nocturnal nature. Many types of silverfish can live for years, surviving weeks and even months without food or water. Today, silverfish pest control can be difficult to manage, particularly because these insects can survive for so long.

If you are uncertain about silverfish pest control in Sacramento, review our guide to learn the following:

• What is a silverfish?
• Why are silverfish considered pests?
• How do I know if I am dealing with a silverfish infestation?
  • Damaged household items
  • Silverfish droppings
  • Identifying and finding silverfish eggs
• How do I get rid of silverfish?
• Do you need silverfish pest control in Sacramento?

What Is a Silverfish?

Silverfish are small, often grey, blue, or silver color insects shaped like teardrops. They are flat wingless bugs that measure about three-fourths of an inch in length at their largest. They can thrive in most climates around the world, but they prefer dark, damp areas. That is why you will most often find them in bathrooms, kitchens, and attics.

Why Are Silverfish Considered Pests?

Now that you know what a silverfish is, you need to understand why we consider them pests. Silverfish are considered pests because of their appetite for eating just about everything, which consequently destroys personal property. These insects have a protein-rich diet and are known to eat the following:

• Cardboard
• Fabrics
• Fibers
• Grains
• Sugars
• Starches
• Vegetables

When food is scarce, these insects will also feed on leather as well as synthetic fabrics. Silverfish can live for a year if not more without eating or drinking water. This is what makes them so resilient.

How Do I Know If I Am Dealing With a Silverfish Infestation?

First, you will want to know what it means to have a silverfish infestation. In the strongest sense of the word, it means that there are too many of them, and that is evident from all the damage they are causing. The easiest way to spot an infestation is by seeing the bugs. However, it may take some time to spot these insects given that they are nocturnal.

When inspecting your home for a silverfish infestation, check the following:

Damaged Household Items

A telltale sign of an infestation is damaged upholstery, magazines, storage boxes, clothes, books, and wallpaper. The damage will appear as small holes. In some cases, you will see dark stains on white-colored items that they have eaten.

Silverfish Droppings

Silverfish droppings, though harder to see because of their size, is another sign of an infestation. Their droppings resemble pellets. You will mainly find them around different nooks and crannies throughout the home. Silverfish pest control experts will know where to look for silverfish droppings to identify an infestation.

Identifying and Finding Silverfish Eggs

One of the keys to identifying a silverfish infestation is to find their eggs. The number of eggs you are able to find is directly proportional to the number of silverfish in your home. Silverfish will generally lay their eggs in clusters. There can be 20 eggs in a single go. The eggs are soft and white, but after a while, they become yellow as a consequence of reacting with oxygen.

Silverfish lay eggs in tiny cracks on the wall or within the floor, which are nearly impossible to see. Silverfish hide their eggs to protect them from predators such as spiders. However, as pest control experts, our team can use a variety of methods to treat your silverfish problem.

How Do I Get Rid of Silverfish?

The best way to get rid of silverfish is to call silverfish pest control in Sacramento. You do not need to fight a silverfish infestation on your own. These pesky insects can prove difficult to remove without professional help. As a leading pest control service company in the Sacramento area, one of the ways we eliminate silverfish is to find and destroy their eggs to prevent future infestation.

Do You Need Silverfish Pest Control in Sacramento? Contact Us Today

At Jones Bros Pest Control, Inc., we are happy to answer any of your pest control questions. We offer an over-the-phone diagnosis and free quotes. Contact our team by calling 916-852-8800 or fill out our online form to speak with a professional. If you need silverfish pest control in Sacramento, El Dorado County, Placer County, Yolo County, Solano County, or San Joaquin County, our team can help you.