How Common Are Silverfish In Spring, TX?
Spring, TX, is home to some of the highest pest populations in the state. From wildlife animals to microscopic parasites, the number of insects and mammals in this city outnumber humans by 100 to one.
Many homeowners in Spring, TX, are prepared to manage larger or more common pests on their own, including rodents, roaches, and pantry pests. It may be easy to keep your home pest-free during the growing season with decisive prevention steps and plenty of year-round home pest control.
However, it is not quite as simple to control smaller or less common pests. Most professional entomologists classify less frequently seen insects as 'occasional invaders.' These creatures rarely appear in large groups around homes or businesses and are often one-off sightings or occasional surprises. If these pests happen to embed themselves around the property, you will likely notice very quickly. Their unusual behaviors, coupled with unique characteristics, make them stick out like a sore thumb. It is doubtful that you will remove these pests without professional help, especially after a few weeks of establishment.
One of the most common occasional invaders includes the humble silverfish, a tiny insect that often winds up in basements, kitchens, and crawlspaces. Occasional invaders usually prefer to infest outdoor spaces, and rarely if ever, come inside. However, it is customary to start seeing more silverfish when summer fades and fall weather begins.
Let's take a closer look at silverfish as a species, identifying their characteristics, threats, behaviors, and do-it-yourself (DIY) prevention steps.
Identifying Spring Silverfish Species
According to scientists, there are 120 species of silverfish found around the world. Here in the United States, there are only 18 species. Regardless of their scientific name, silverfish share the same characteristics:
½ to one inch long
A tapering abdomen (giving it a fish-like appearance)
Fishlike movements from side to side
Silver or grey color patterns
Long antennae, sometimes longer than their bodies
Small compound eyes
Two cerci at the back of their abdomens
A single terminal filament
Silverfish are nocturnal by nature and do not become active until the late evening hours. They are not eusocial insects and prefer to live on their own or in small families. Unlike other crawling insects, silverfish are entirely wingless and cannot fly from place to place. Instead, most silverfish vectors prefer to stay out of sight and far away from human eyes.
Above all, silverfish need an enormous amount of humidity to maintain their health. Recent estimates suggest that silverfish only inhabit areas that offer 75-95% absolute humidity. Anything less than that will prevent the silverfish from breeding correctly, as well as operating as usual. This is why silverfish can be in many home environments, including attics, basements, bathroom appliances, drains, food prep areas, studies, office buildings, and leaky pipes.
The lifecycle of a silverfish is similar to that of a mosquito. Eggs are laid in wet or damp areas for several weeks, particularly leaf piles, thick vegetation, and moist soil. After a time period between two weeks or two months, eggs hatch into silverfish nymphs. They appear almost the same as adults, except for their cream to white-colored bodies and smaller sizes. Nymphs feed on as much glucose as possible, slowly molting into adults over a period of three months or three years (depending on their species and habitat). The new adult silverfish will progress through 17 to 66 different molts and live for approximately three years. Eventually, they will find a moist location to lay eggs of their own, usually no more than 100 during their lifetimes.
Silverfish are particularly difficult to manage, especially in and around residential homes in Spring, TX. Their small sizes and seasonal affinities may attract them into the house during the fall and winter seasons, posing many problems for households and families. Please find out more about how to control their spread below.
The Threats Of Silverfish In Spring
There are many reasons why silverfish have obtained a bad reputation over the years. These pests are highly alarming to look at and not at all subtle, preventing homeowners from going about their usual routines. It is doubtful that a silverfish infestation will appear with adequate warning. These pests are likely to occur suddenly, usually with few if any signs or symptoms.
Despite their unsightly appearances, silverfish pose no health threats to people or pets. They are unable to bite, sting, or otherwise spread disease from one place to the next. These creatures have become associated with many old wives' tales, along the lines of earwigs and other occasional invaders. Just to set the record straight: no, silverfish are unable to harm you, your pets, or any of the people you love.
The damages caused by silverfish will be felt in another, more tangible way: the destruction of clothing and property. Silverfish are not particular pests and enjoy chowing down on anything with plenty of cellulose to digest. This includes a wide range of materials and textures, including but not limited to:
Cereals
Books
Wallpaper
Clothing
Glue
Anything with sugars or carbohydrates
Silverfish require trace minerals to survive, particularly materials that include polysaccharides, starches, and small amounts of dextrin in glucose deposits.
Don't let their small size fool you – silverfish can survive for a significant amount of time during extreme droughts or famines. Scientists have concluded that silverfish can live up to one year without food, so long as water is present. In addition, these pests can pivot to eat different kinds of food if the need arises. Entomologists have observed silverfish consuming leather and various types of synthetic fabric when pressed for nutrient intake.
Although a single silverfish is not likely to cause a significant amount of damage, a large infestation of silverfish certainly can. It is not uncommon for silverfish infestations to destroy entire wardrobes, consume stored cereals, put holes in valuable books, and otherwise strip wallpaper off the walls. The vast majority of silverfish populations prefer to remain outdoors when possible. However, certain factors in your home could increase their propensity for living indoors.
Check out some of the easiest ways to prevent silverfish from entering your Spring, TX home.
Preventing Silverfish From Entering Your Spring Home
There are several reasons why silverfish may have broken into your Spring home. It is often high amounts of moisture, coupled with easy access to entry points, that ushers them inside. Although both commercial and residential homes can suffer from the effects of silverfish, residential homes often see the most significant number of infestations. Broader access to wild areas, coupled with more localized landscaping, may lead silverfish to your home rather than a commercial enterprise.
Before identifying silverfish prevention tips, it's essential to understand the factors that may have attracted them in the first place. Silverfish are moisture-loving pests and are more attracted to homes with continuous sources of humidity or water. If you have clogged drains, leaky pipes, or plenty of leaf piles near entry points of the house, you could be unwittingly attracting silverfish inside.
What's more, silverfish tend to be more attracted to homes with secondary pest infestations. Secondary pests make many messes and may leave dead vectors all over the area. This allows the silverfish to eat like royalty, consuming full meals without too much effort. If you suspect that silverfish may be inside your Spring, TX home, there may be more serious issues at hand than you know.
Now that you understand the how and why silverfish creatures have moved in, it's time to talk about prevention. There are two major types: DIY and professional. DIY controls are best used before infestations become established. They should be applied to your lawn year-round and target pests in a more general sense. On the other hand, professional pest control from a knowledgeable agency helps remove deep-set infestations or cyclical problems. The vast majority of agencies also carry out prevention services, including Modern Pest Control. They cover prevention, treatment, and future control without any further issues.
If you're looking to save some money and stop silverfish before they get inside, start with these helpful DIY tips:
Seal all cracks and gaps around the house, taking care to use a waterproof sealant. Pay close attention to doors, windows, and any cracks around the foundation of the home. Once everything is adequately sealed, apply a small amount of cedar oil. Studies have shown that silverfish avoid cedar oil scents more than 80% of the time.
Reduce the amount of humidity and moisture in the home. Purchase a dehumidifier to get rid of air moisture, and hire a professional to maintain leaky pipes or clogged drains around the house.
If possible, keep the lawn as well maintained as possible. This includes trimming the grass to a manageable height, as well as pruning all bushes and shrubs. Remove leaf piles from around the home as soon as you make them, and turn compost piles frequently to encourage breakdown.
Declutter the house often, taking care to remove boxes, fabrics, curtains, and any other unwanted materials as frequently as possible. Perform a deep cleaning of the home at least once per month, and eliminate all attractive factors.
It doesn't always make sense to perform DIY silverfish control on your own. If you already know a silverfish problem nearby or believe an infestation could be brewing, it would be wise to contact a professional pest management agency like Modern Pest Control.
How Modern Pest Control Manages Silverfish Infestations
Since 1952, Modern Pest Control has proudly served our Spring, TX neighbors with over 60 years of quality pest management services to residential, commercial, and specialty properties. We have experience managing some of Texas's most intense pest infestations, including those caused by silverfish and other occasional invaders.
When you call your local office at Modern Pest Control, you can rest easy knowing that we have everything under control. Here's how we quickly and efficiently address silverfish infestations without compromising on quality
Every silverfish treatment begins with a thorough inspection of the property. We pay special attention to fence lines, perimeters, and damp spaces in the home. With your guidance, we will investigate any areas where you suspect an infestation is occurring and look for tried and true signs of their presence.
Next, we'll chat with you one-on-one to discuss treatment measures that are right for you. We understand that the safety and protection of your family are paramount, which is why we offer both traditional and eco-friendly treatments for every home type. For residential homeowners, we offer three unique plans to choose from; Modern Plus, Signature, and Signature Plus. Choose the plan that works with your lifestyle, then watch results happen within a few short visits!
It isn't like us to leave a job half-finished, and we continuously return to your property to ensure no silverfish are left behind. This falls in line with our 100% silverfish-free guarantee, which protects your home for a certain period of time. We want to ensure that you receive the best pest management services and return to fix any reoccurring silverfish problem – on our dime!
Silverfish management from Modern Pest Control has never been easier. Not only do we take the guesswork out of management and identification, but we partner with you for the long haul to keep everyone you love safe and sound. To learn more about silverfish control from Modern Pest Control, complete our online contact form at your earliest convenience. We will be happy to connect as soon as possible.