Eliminate and Prevent Silverfish in NJ and PA with Cooper

silverfish.jpgWhat is a silverfish?

Silverfish, also called "bristletails," are shaped like a flattened carrot and are silver or gray in color. They grow to be between ½-¾ of an inch long and have three tail-like appendages at the tip of the abdomen. Silverfish are very active at night and can run very quickly. They are usually found in areas with relatively high levels of humidity and moisture, and their flat bodies allow them to live in very tight spaces. This means bathrooms, attics, garages, crawl spaces, and basements are especially vulnerable to silverfish activity. Silverfish feed on foods with carbohydrates and proteins including paper, small insects, and paste in addition to other things commonly found around homes such as cereal, clothing, and insulation.

Why are there silverfish in my house?

Silverfish find their way in doors while searching for warmth, moisture and food. Easy entry points exist around your home such as windows, door frames, utility pipes, and shake roofs. They can also be brought in as stowaways in boxes or packages. Although silverfish don't cause structural damage or pass on diseases to humans, they do cause damage to books, wallpaper, paper goods, and sometimes clothing. 

Once the silverfish have established themselves inside, they can live for several weeks without any food source or water and have an average lifespan of 3 years. However, if they find an abundant food source, they'll stay close by. Silverfish breed indoors, laying eggs every day, placing them in cracks behind electrical sockets, tiny cracks and crevices around your home, and even behind wallpaper. 

Are silverfish dangerous?

silverfishdamage npma

Pictured Above: Silverfish damage to papers from feeding              Photo Credit: National Pest Management Association

Silverfish aren't known to bite or attack humans and pets or spread diseases. Valuables such as photo albums, important documents, receipts, and treasured books can be targets for silverfish feeding. Their presence can be uncomfortable for those who have a low tolerance for pest activity in their home, which is when professional pest control becomes an option. Because they eat mold, persistent silverfish activity can be indicative of mold problems, water damage, or broken/leaking utility pipes.

How do I get rid of silverfish?

Get Rid of Silverfish

Since silverfish are nocturnal, spending their days hiding in small spaces, it is hard to get rid of an existing population without professional pest control. The best way to reduce the silverfish populations in your home is to create an environment that is not desirable for breeding. 

How can I prevent silverfish in the future?

To prevent silverfish you should make sure that you do all that you can to prevent build up of moisture, humidity, and mold in you home. This can be achieved by keeping up with regular maintenance and sanitation. Reducing the storage of clutter and cardboard boxes (which can lead to mold problems) is also helpful. However, it is difficult to eliminate their food sources because they are so disposed to eat paper and glue that holds wallpaper together.

How does Cooper get rid of silverfish?

Home Intensive Plan

Our Home Intensive Plan is designed to provide preventive pest and rodent control for your home, year round. Silverfish control and elimination is included with this program and if you happen to have a silverfish invasion, all you need to do is to call us and we’ll come out and treat the area at no additional expense.

This is our most popular service for homeowners. The service plan includes four preventive services per year. Each service is unique and will be accompanied by a detailed 30-point inspection report with detailed findings as well as providing you with important recommendations for your home. Each year you will receive three exterior maintenance services (March – November) and one interior service (December – February). The winter service will focus on the interior of the structure and is geared towards rodents and other pests that may live within the structure. Unlimited service calls are available in between the quarterly visits for all covered pests if any problems arise.

One-Time Silverfish Control Plan

Cooper can get rid of the silverfish in your home with our One-Time Silverfish Control Plan. One of our state certified pest control technicians will come to your home and carefully analyze the infestation. By identifying the source of the silverfish infestation, the technician will be able to create a custom plan for silverfish reduction and elimination. This plan includes 90 days of coverage with unlimited technician visits within this time frame.

How soon can you get here?

At Cooper Pest Solutions, our goal is to provide fast, convenient service with the peace of mind that you are in good hands. We understand that pest problems can be stressful and overwhelming, so we strive to provide same day or next day service. Call us at 1-800-949-2667 to learn more about our silverfish control options or to schedule service at your home.