Silverfish Eggs
To effectively get rid of a silverfish infestation problem, you have to kill silverfish eggs. The problem most people face with managing a silverfish problem is that they do not target the silverfish eggs because they do not know how they look, they do not even know the effective methods of eradicating this insect from their properties, so the few methods apply are not effective.
However, it does not have to be difficult. If you know when you have an infestation case and can identify silverfish eggs, you have a good start on solving the problem. These are what you will learn from this article. We also discuss the several effective methods you can employ to permanently get rid of silverfish from your property.
About Silverfish Eggs
Silverfish eggs are white and soft when they are just laid. They turn yellow, which is the color of an adult silverfish, after a few hours of exposure to oxygen and they have hardened up. A silverfish egg measures 1 millimeter in length and has an elliptical, almost oval, shape.
Depending on the species and the climate, silverfish go through 3 stages of the life cycle within the space of 3 to 4 months:
- Egg
- Nymph (baby or young silverfish)
- Adult
An inseminated female silverfish can lay 2 to 3 groups of eggs every day, with each group containing a cluster of eggs ranging from 2 to 20. The female silverfish lay eggs all through the year and can produce up to 1,500 to 3,500 eggs in her lifetime.
These eggs are hidden in crevices and cracks, away from potential harm, including your broom, vacuum, and DIY pest control measures.
What Attracts Silverfish?
Knowing what attracts these silverfish will help you understand how they come to be on your property and how to avoid future recurrences of silverfish invasion. Here are some things that attract silverfish:
A Proper Environment For Them
Silverfish tend to like moist and well-protected places. So, in your house, they tend to dwell in places like the corner of sinks, damp basements, books, behind furniture, and other moist areas of your house. Because they naturally live in leaf litter, rocks, and under logs, they will gravitate towards a replica of these environments in your house.
Food Sources
Silverfish can eat almost anything, including carbohydrates and proteins. They eat starchy foods like grains, sugar, flour, cereal, and fiber. Therefore, they will like places with pet food and dry foods. If you have these kinds of foods lying around in your house, you will be attracting these bugs.
Places For Hiding
Silverfish like places where they can hide. So, they target places like damp areas in your basement, bookshelves, and furniture. Deliberately making your home unconducive for them will involve ensuring that these places are always clean.
Places For Laying Eggs
Silverfish protect their eggs from harm and they will look for secure places in your house. Places that are moist, hidden, and dark will attract them.
Signs Of Silverfish Infestation
How do you know you have a case of silverfish invasion in your house? Here are some signs to look out for:
Seeing Live Silverfish
When you see live silverfish moving around in your house, chances are there are others hidden away. They have brown-gray and blue-silver colors and are small and slippery. They are flexible and wiggle back and forth as they move.
Silverfish Droppings
If you find silverfish droppings around, it is an indication that you have an infestation case at hand. The droppings are so small you might mistake them for debris or dust. They resemble black peppercorns. If you have swept the area before and still see these small things, it is a sign that there is silverfish in your house.
Silverfish Skin Molts
Silverfish shed their skin and leave these molts around. They are delicate and transparent, if you see them around, you know there are silverfish living with you.
Stains On Things
Silverfish skin molts leave yellow stains on things like books, fabrics, cardboard boxes and papers. Even though you do not see live silverfish or their skin molt, these stains are telltale signs.
Damages Items
If you see the damage done to your things like books, wallpapers, fabrics, or paper boxes, you know there are silverfish in your house. Silverfish eat these things, leaving holes in them.
How To Manage Severe Silverfish Infestation
Once you notice you have a case of silverfish infestation in your hand, you want to get rid of them immediately. Here is how to manage the situation:
Comb Your House To Find All Of Them
Silverfish are often in hidden places in your house. Check for those damp places near sinks, basements, in-between cupboards, and crevices in paper boxes. They lay eggs in these places and spread. If you want to get rid of them thoroughly, you have to look out for the live ones as well as their eggs.
Get Rid Of Them
Once you have found them, you need to get rid of them. Here are some methods to employ:
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Repel Them With Bay Leaves
The oil in bay leaves repels silverfish. Placing a few leaves in areas where silverfish are will repel them.
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Use Sticky Traps
There are different types of sticky traps you can buy in the most garden or home stores. Buy some and place them where you think silverfish are. After some days, check out the traps and discard the ones with silverfish in them.
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Create Silverfish Traps
One smart trap to use is a glass container. Since silverfish like starchy foods, put pet foods, dried cereal, or flour in the container, leaving it open, and wrap the outside with tape. While they can get in because of the tape’s texture, they cannot get out because they cannot get traction on the smooth glass surface inside.
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Lure Them With Newspapers
Place a wet and rolled-up newspaper in places where silverfish are likely to be. They will get in and start making homes. After a few days, you get rid of the newspaper by burning it or sealing it in an airtight container and throwing it away.
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Use Cedar Oil
Essential oils repel silverfish and cedar oil is a great option. Mix a few drops in a spray bottle filled with warm water and spray the affected areas. You can also use a diffuser by placing it in the problem spots.
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Use Poisons
There are different types of poisons, like bombs, boric acid, and foggers, you can buy to get rid of silverfish. These poisons are harmful to pets and humans. Be careful while using them and protect yourself. We have professionals who can effectively get rid of these pests without jeopardizing the safety of your home.
Use An Ongoing Control Method
You may need to use an ongoing control method to ensure you completely rid your home of silverfish. We are pest control professionals specialized in integrated pest management and always ensure our silverfish control is thorough and effective.
Prevent Future Infestations
You can be sure your home is totally free of silverfish if you prevent future infestation. To ensure silverfish do not return to your home, you should:
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Keep Your Home Clean Always
Vacuuming and cleaning your home once a week or more frequently if you have pets and kids will help you keep crevices clean and free of these pests.
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Properly Store Pet Foods And Dry Foods
Storing pet foods and dry foods in airtight containers will prevent silverfish from reaching them or being attracted to them. Avoid storage made of cardboard boxes, plastics, and paper.
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Destroy Silverfish Food Sources
Silverfish like starchy food so leaving pets and dry food around will attract them. Get rid of infested papers and cardboard. Then ensure your books, fabrics, and papers are clean, dry, aired, and neat.
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Wash Your Clothes And Keep Them Dry
Washing clothes at the highest temperature the material can take will kill off silverfish. Keeping these clothes dry will ensure silverfish do not have a conducive environment to thrive. Maintaining this standard will keep them away permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Kill Silverfish Eggs?
Yes. With the right method, you can kill silverfish eggs. Using traps, poisons, and essential oil will eradicate them from your home.
Is It Possible To Get Rid Of Silverfish Permanently?
Yes. An effective and professional silverfish control measure will permanently keep them off your home. As you kill silverfish in the initial stage of pest control measures, ensure no silverfish egg remains. Then you take measures to prevent them from getting back in.
Are Silverfish Dangerous To Humans?
Some people who are allergic to dust mites are allergic to silverfish. They can experience mucus buildup, cough, and itching as they react to the skin molt and feces of silverfish. It is better to keep them off your property.
Finally
Handling the silverfish infestation problem can be tricky if you do not know what method works well. Specifically, identifying silverfish eggs and spotting the areas where an infestation is the most tricky. However, the information in this write-up will help you effectively rid your home of these insects.
Knowing that silverfish live in moist dark places like to eat starchy foods, and often leave a yellow stain on things will help you trace where they are and get rid of them. Cleaning your home frequently and employing the services of pest control professionals will help you prevent silverfish problems in the future.
