A recent article I read noted that pest controllers were reporting that there was a 79% rise in callouts for silverfish which can hide in the cracks of your home. They can lay up to 60 eggs per day, so a few insects can quickly become a much larger infestation. The eggs are usually hidden in the tiny cracks or crevices of your home.
You are most likely to find them in dark, damp and humid areas such as bathrooms, basements and attics. Also beware of having too many cardboard boxes or containers as they thrive in those environments as well. They can cause damage to books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items as they feed on both starch and cellulose. They also feed on human debris such as dead skin and hair
A common sign of the presence of silverfish to watch out for is finding unexplained holes in books or items of clothing. While they aren’t dangerous, they can become a major inconvenience because of their appetite for starch and cellulose, which can lead to them damaging valuable items by feeding on them.
Rentokil, a pest control expert, advises the following tips to reduce the likelihood of an infestation:
- Deny them food by vacuuming and keeping dust and debris to a minimum.
- Store food in containers with tightly sealed lids.
- Homes and businesses should also dehumidify their premises through the use of fans, dehumidifiers, or by opening windows to air them out.
- Make sure all cracks in walls and skirting boards are filled.