How Silverfish Get Into McKinney Homes

You’ve probably watched in frustration as pesky flies slip into your home the moment you open the door. You may have even seen ants on the march from your yard to your kitchen. Knowing where pests come from isn’t always a big mystery, but some bugs are a different story. So, how do silverfish get into McKinney homes?

What Are Silverfish?

Silverfish are unique compared to most other common home-invading insects. These pests belong to the ancient Zygentoma order of insects, characterized by their long, antennae-like appendages called “caudal filaments.” Silverfish and their relatives haven’t evolved much since the time of dinosaurs, and that’s apparent in the way they look.

Silverfish take their name from the particular fish shape of their bodies and their distinct silvery-gray color. They can measure up to ¾ of an inch in length and have six legs, although they may appear to have more thanks to those caudal filaments. 

While they certainly look strange, silverfish are almost entirely harmless to humans. Some folks have reported experiencing allergic reactions as a result of silverfish infestations, but other than that, silverfish aren’t much of threat to your health. They can’t bite or sting, nor are they known to spread disease or parasites.

But just because these pests won’t hurt you doesn’t mean they aren’t a problem to have on your property. Keepsakes and personal belongings are at huge risk of being eaten up by silverfish in the event of an infestation.

How Silverfish Get Indoors

Silverfish get indoors in two ways: as trespassers or as hitchhikers. In the first case, silverfish may slip through cracks in the foundation or beneath doors and windows to come inside. High levels of moisture and humidity are attractive to silverfish, and leaky pipes or dripping air conditioning units can contribute to their presence. Once they find a suitable entry point, they can easily wriggle their way indoors.

Often, silverfish are brought home accidentally. They are incredibly talented at hiding their presence from humans and can sneak in concealed among boxes, books, or other secondhand items previously stored in basements, attics, or warehouses. 

How To Stop Silverfish

Silverfish can live for up to six years without food. On top of that, they know exactly where to hide to avoid detection in your home. So, even if you have just a few silverfish residing in your house, they could be with you for a long, long time. 

Preventing silverfish doesn’t take much specialized effort, though. With a few minor adjustments and some regular housekeeping, you can stop silverfish from infesting your McKinney home. Easy silverfish prevention tips include:

• Clean often – Be sure to sweep, mop, or vacuum floors frequently to eliminate food debris that attracts silverfish and other pests.
• Protect pantry foods – Store any perishable foods like cereal, crackers, and cookies in airtight containers with locking lids. Glass containers offer extra protection against household rodents.
• Inspect secondhand items – Check the bottoms of boxes and leaf through books and documents to check for stowaway silverfish in any secondhand belongings you may acquire.
• Correct moisture problems – Fix any leaking pipes, faucets, or spigots around the property. Consider installing a dehumidifier, or running a fan with open windows to ventilate basement and attic areas.
• Seal entry points – Replace faulty weather stripping and door sweeps. Locate any cracks or gaps in your foundation and seal with silicone caulk. 

For more advice or assistance with silverfish control in your McKinney home, contact the experts at Adams Exterminating Company today. We’ll work with you to eliminate any silverfish on your property and prevent them from ever coming back.