Naples Pest Control: Silverfish Identification and Prevention
While some pests can cause more harm than others to humans, certain ones are more of a nuisance. Silverfish present a mild risk to humans and their property but are known to be an overall annoyance if they infest.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, wingless insects, usually shiny grey or silver in color, ranging from 1/3 to ½ inches in length. Females lay eggs year-round and will produce up to 100 offspring in their lifetime. An adult female silverfish can live from 2 to 5 years, usually depending on the species and environment. When silverfish eggs hatch, they takes 3 to 24 months to develop into an adult. Their growth depends on the temperature and humidity.
What Are The Signs of a Silverfish Infestation?
Silverfish are known to infest human areas. You can often find them on the floor, under refrigerators, near a sink, or in a bathtub. If they find their way inside, they will eat grains and chew holes through clothing, furniture, or paper. If they infest in larger numbers, this damage can be more significant. They are also known to feed on book bindings, photos, sugar, dirt, and even glue.
How Can I Prevent Silverfish?
Silverfish are nocturnal and can move quickly throughout an area. While they can survive in most environments, they thrive in areas with high humidity. Humidity in Naples is usually present throughout the year. The best way to prevent an infestation is to control the humidity and moisture inside your home. Ensure that you don’t have any leaky pipes or drains, replace moldy or wet wood, remove books in moist areas, and consider enclosing your crawlspace to control humidity and moisture.
If you notice that your silverfish infestation has gotten out of hand or you want to stay on top of preventing them, consider reaching out to your local Naples pest control company which can provide you with a comprehensive treatment and prevention plan for your home.
Many pests hibernate or “die off” during the winter, causing homeowners to feel like they can relax during the colder months. Overwintering pests, however, are here to rain on your parade. These pests seek refuge inside our homes looking for food, water, and a warm place to hide until the weather outside is more favorable. Here are 6 winter pests to watch out for along with tips to prevent them.
Ants
Ants will come in through the tiniest holes or cracks in the exterior of your home. They also like to sneak in on plants and flowers that are brought indoors. Ants are masters of overwintering, typically seeking out warm places deep in the soil or under rocks to hide out. Food can be scarce, though, and your home provides the perfect location for them to get everything they need to survive the winter – food, water, and warmth. The first step to ant control in your home is to get rid of their food source. Make sure food is well sealed and crumbs are cleaned up from floors and counters.
Beetles
Beetles like to come indoors to get out of the cold. They are known to hide in the warmest areas of your home, such as near dryers or water heaters. Elm leaf beetles and click beetles are two of the most common overwintering beetles you may encounter. They are often brought inside on firewood. If you spot beetles inside, vacuum them up and immediately discard the bag or canister contents. Eliminate their food sources by keeping your kitchen and bathroom clean. Caulk windows or use weatherstripping around them. Keep wood piles and leaf litter away from your home. Inspect any wood before bringing it inside.
Silverfish
Silverfish prefer damp, cold places and will usually be found hanging out in your basement or bathroom. They are common in the winter months, often hitching a ride as you are hauling your holiday decorations in and out of your attic or garage. They feed on books, glue, wallpaper, and boxes. Keep silverfish under control by vacuuming often and decluttering your home. Get rid of any old newspapers, mail, and cardboard laying around. Inspect any boxes before bringing them inside. Store clothes in sealed bins, preferably made of plastic rather than cardboard.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs will come inside through window cracks and openings to shelter from the cold. While they don’t bite, they will secrete a yellow fluid with an unpleasant odor that not only attracts other ladybugs, but can also leave an unsightly stain on your walls, floors, ceilings, and more. Control ladybugs by locating and sealing any entry points you can find. Vacuum them up or spray them with soapy water. The soapy water will not only get rid of the ladybugs, but it will also get rid of the smell, helping prevent other ladybugs from coming back.
Roaches
Roaches come indoors during winter for heat and humidity as they cannot survive the cold temperatures outdoors. They are also attracted to plants, leaf litter and mulch. Cockroaches pose a serious health risk to humans as they are known to transmit diseases and trigger allergies and asthma. They will also hitch a ride inside on grocery bags, boxes, and used appliances. They prefer to hang out in kitchens and bathrooms. Keep roaches at bay by cleaning counters and floors and vacuuming frequently. Dispose of your garbage regularly. Keep kitchens and bathrooms clean, especially under appliances and cabinets.
Spiders
Spiders seek out warm, dark places to hide during the winter, usually in your basement, attic, or rarely used corners of rooms. They will also hide out in boxes and rarely used clothes and shoes. Keep spiders under control this winter by decluttering your home. Dust, vacuum, and sweep out cobwebs frequently. Discard any old boxes and packages they can use to hide out in. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from your home and cut back overhanging limbs from the roof. Store clothes and shoes in plastic containers.
No one wants to deal with pests inside their home regardless of what season it is. If you have a problem with pests at any time during the year, contact your local pest control company who can help identify the type of pest you have, identify entry points, and set up a treatment and prevention plan going forward.
Spring is a perfect time to tackle home projects and deep clean the entire house! With warmer weather expected, it’s essential to get your home prepared and cleaned to make sure spring pests don’t infest!
For many, the kitchen is the heart and main area of the household. Family members gather, cook, and eat in this space, making the kitchen the ideal place for pests to take advantage of both food and water sources that are left behind. Pests like ants are known to infest the kitchen for these things they need to survive. Beetles and Indian meal moths are also searching for a food source, usually in pantries. To keep all these pests out, homeowners should make cleaning a priority all year long. Wipe down countertops after any spills or mess and clean up any food crumbs that might have dropped. Consider going through the kitchen pantry monthly to discard any expired items and wipe down the pantry shelves.
Keeping moisture out of your bathroom can sometimes feel impossible. Roaches and silverfish are two pests that are highly attracted to moisture and often found in the bathrooms of homes. With a little preparation and cleaning, every homeowner can eliminate moisture to keep these pests at bay. Check under the sinks and around the tub to ensure there are no leaks. Keep the bathroom decluttered by cleaning out the medicine cabinet and washing the shower curtain and liner.
Basements and crawlspaces are both dark and cool, making them the perfect place for pests to take refuge. Rodents and spiders are commonly found in these places and will often seek clutter and dark corners to hide in. Going through and eliminating cluttered items and belongings stored in the basement will help keep deter these pests. If storage is needed, avoid using cardboard boxes and use plastic bins with secure lids instead.
Keeping pests out of your home can sometimes feel impossible. If you notice more pests in your house than you can handle, consider reaching out to your local pest control company. These trained professionals can help identify the pests, provide a prevention plan, and treat areas as needed.
As summer approaches we kick off the start of vacation season. We’ll soon be taking advantage of warm weather, sunshine, and school getting out to take off to the beach, camping in the mountains, or just visiting out of town relatives. But people aren’t the only ones hitting the road – pests take advantage of our travels to hitch a ride back home with us too! What can you do to keep these pests from turning your home into an insect’s paradise? Check out these tips to keep your home pest free this summer.
In The Car:
Bed bugs, fleas, ticks, spiders, and roaches like to catch a ride with you from destination to destination, especially on road trips.
Keep car windows closed as much as possible when you’re on the road, especially when you drive through wooded areas.
Keep the interior of your car clean and dehumidified.
Clean up any food and drink spills immediately.
When you arrive at your destination check the sheets, carpet, curtains, and bathrooms for any signs of pests.
Elevate your bags in the room and keep them sealed tightly when they’re not in use.
Check your socks and the inside of your shoes every morning before you put them on.
On A Plane:
Silverfish, bed bugs, and even moths can hitch a ride in your suitcase. You can pick these up in hotels, your relatives’ homes, and even in the airport.
Keep your bags sealed when you’re not using them, whether it’s in a hotel, in your car, in the airport, or on a plane).
Wash and dry your clothes as soon as you get home.
Don’t keep food in your carry-on bags.
Don’t take any trash off the plane when you disembark.
Once you unpack, put your bags in the dryer for at least 20 minutes.
Inspect everything you bring home for pests, even after you wash and dry it.
In The Woods:
Camping is one of the most challenging environments for pest control. Let’s face it – pests live outdoors!
Keep your food in sealed containers and make sure to store them at least 10 feet from your camp site and at least 8 feet in the air.
Make sure you store your firewood at least 20 feet away from your camp site.
Seal your sleeping bags inside your tent when you’re not using them.
Check your sleeping bags for pests every night before getting in them.
Sleep under a mosquito net.
Wear bug spray.
Dispose of any food scraps immediately.
Wash and dry all of your things as soon as you get home, including your tent, your sleeping bags, your clothes, and even yourself).
Check your whole body, especially any skin folds for ticks.
In Someone’s Home:
One place we don’t often think about picking up unwanted pests is in the homes of our relatives. Pests, however, don’t discriminate – they can be found in even the cleanest of homes.
Inspect the furniture where you’re staying as soon as you arrive for signs of pests.
Change the sheets upon arrival.
Don’t hang your clothes up in the closet.
Elevate your bags and keep them tightly sealed when they’re not in use.
Wash and dry your clothes and bags immediately when you get home.
If you suspect a pest problem when you get back from vacation, contact a pest control professional for a thorough inspection.
There are few things more important to us at Northwest than protecting the Earth. In today’s world, there is no excuse not to go green – especially, when it comes to pest control. NorPest Green is an all-around Eco-friendly program that utilizes what nature has given us to protect homes, and businesses from pests.
NorPest Green is a customized program that utilizes only the most innovative and advanced products and equipment available. Our products’ active ingredients are derived from flowers, plants, and natural elements from the earth. Our green pest control doesn’t use harsh chemicals and is just as effective as traditional pest control.
NorPest Green Highlights:
Kind to your natural surroundings
Uses botanicals and earth-based products
Enhances the health of living and working environments by keeping pests out
While the environment is crucial on our list of priorities, our customers are number one! That’s why we think home and business owners should… Trust the Mouse!
