Are Silverfish Harmful or Poisonous? How to Get Rid of this Occasional Invader Pest

Closeup of long tailed silverfish at Rentokil in Northern Utah and Southern IdahoSilverfish—we’ve all seen these tiny bugs around our homes. They will feed on your books, dead skin cells, and other materials that are starchy. Silverfish are nocturnal so you may not see them during the day. You’ll most likely figure out you have them by the signs they leave behind. If you notice dark, damp areas that have excrement that resembles black pepper or find yellowish stains on paper, cereal boxes, wallpaper or clothing, and fabrics it’s a sign that silverfish are around.

These pests can be destructive so to protect your belongings it’s imperative to get control over them. The experts at Rentokil are here to share everything you need to know about silverfish, from preventing them to getting rid of them for good.

Silverfish Infestation Prevention

There are steps you can take to reduce the chance you’ll be dealing with these pests. The top ways to prevent silverfish are:

  1. Repair leaky pipes and faucets.
  2. Improve ventilation.
  3. Using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in the air.
  4. Remove uneaten pet food.
  5. Regular tidying of the home.
  6. Fill in cracks you find or repair peeling wallpaper.

Natural Silverfish Repellents

There are some natural ways to eliminate silverfish with products you can commonly find in your kitchen. Cinnamon, whole cloves, and citrus fruits are effective in keeping silverfish away from certain areas but will do nothing to get rid of a full-blown infestation. Small infestations can be dealt with by eliminating food sources, preventing moisture buildup, and reducing humidity. Larger infestations will most likely require a professional pest control company. Food and valuable books or papers can be placed in sealed plastic containers to prevent damage and contamination.

Professional Silverfish Control

If you find yourself with an infestation of these serpentine creatures, you can rid your home of them by trapping, repelling, and killing them with insecticides and making your home less habitable for them. You might have to experiment and try different methods to get rid of silverfish completely. Silverfish can live for years if they aren’t taken care of by humans and when you take care of silverfish issues you’ll also help prevent other pests too. The secretive nature of silverfish allows them to reproduce quickly and do lots of damage before you realize you have a problem. Do regular checks of your home especially in dark and hidden places to look for silverfish. If you can’t get a handle on a silverfish infestation in your home, it’s best to reach out to your local experts at Rentokil.

Need Help with Silverfish?

How to Keep Pests Out This Holiday Season

Raccoon hides in attic during the winter in Northern Utah - RentokilIt’s the holiday season and the last thing you want to worry about is a pest infestation. And with summer far behind us at this point, many make the mistake of thinking pest infestations are in the past, too. Unfortunately, there are a number of common pest problems that occur in the winter here in Northern Utah & Southern Idaho. With our bitter cold temperatures, many pests and animals look to escape the dropping temperatures.

To avoid the unwanted gift of a pest problem this holiday season, it’s important to learn how to prevent common winter pests. The experts at Rentokil are here to help—read on to learn more!

Common Winter Pest Infestations

There are two types of common winter pests: those that enter your home to escape the temperatures outside (often called overwintering pests), and those that you unknowingly let inside (such as pests that were hiding in your holiday decoration boxes). The most common pests and wild animals that try to get inside this time of year include:

  • House mice: Many mice prefer secluded areas and will look to nest in your attic using insulation and other stored items for nests.
  • Roof rats: As their name implies, roof rats can easily squeeze their way inside and build nests up in your attic.
  • Spiders: A lot of spiders can take shelter in your holiday decoration boxes. When you unpack these each year, you could unleash these pests right into your home.
  • Wildlife: Raccoons and squirrels are strong climbers and can make their way into your attic to escape dropping temperatures outside.

How to Prevent Pests Over the Holidays

The good news is that it’s easy to enjoy the holiday season pest-free. The top seven things you can do to prevent these pests are:

  1. Organize all items and eliminate any clutter in your attic or basement. Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes for storage, especially when it comes to holiday decorations.
  2. When unpacking these decorations each year, shake out the items outdoors before bringing anything inside.
  3. Inspect both inside out outside the attic, and seal any cracks or crevices with caulk or steel wool, or wire mesh.
  4. Secure your chimney with a chimney cap, and install wire mesh over any vents or holes.
  5. Trim overhanging tree branches, overgrown bushes, and vines away from your home to limit roof access to pests.
  6. Ensure your garbage cans are securely stored in your hard with tight-fitting lids to stop pests from rummaging.
  7. Inspect all firewood that your store outdoors for signs of spiders and other pests before bringing the firewood inside!

Need Help With Winter Pest Control?

Let’s face it: the holidays are the busiest time of the year. The last thing you need is a pest infestation on your hands. To keep pests out this winter, it’s imperative to team up with your local exterminators. At Rentokil, we will work hard to implement exclusion and prevention tactics to keep pests out for good. Contact us today to get started!