Silverfish are the silent destroyers of cherished belongings, sneaking into your home and feasting on everything from your beloved books to your favourite jeans. They even target wallpaper, using your home’s dark, moist spaces as feeding grounds. While they prefer humid environments, silverfish are highly adaptable and can survive in most conditions, making them a year-round threat to your possessions. In Canberra, silverfish are a common pest, especially during the warmer months, but they can lie dormant in winter, ready to wreak havoc again when the warmer weather returns.

What is a Silverfish?

Silverfish are tiny, elongated insects measuring between 13 to 25mm in length. They get their name from their silvery-blue sheen and fish-like, wiggly movements. While their appearance might be unsettling, their long cerci (tail-like appendages) are harmless and often mistaken for stingers. Silverfish have existed for over 400 million years, making them one of the oldest living species in the world.

Silverfish Facts: How Old Are Silverfish?

Silverfish have been around for an astonishing 400 million years, surviving through the ages due to their adaptability and resilience. This ancient species is incredibly well-suited to modern homes, especially those with damp, dark areas like basements and attics.

How Do Silverfish Enter Homes?

Despite their small size, silverfish are expert invaders. They can slip into homes through foundation cracks, torn screens, crawl spaces, and gaps around doorframes. Once inside, they hide in dark, moist areas like bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. Silverfish are also known to hitch a ride in cardboard boxes or containers, making their way into your home via infested items. In Canberra, silverfish thrive in both new and older homes, particularly if there are moisture issues or cracks that provide easy entry points.

Silverfish Prevention Tips for Canberra Homes

To keep silverfish out of your Canberra home, it’s crucial to seal potential entry points and maintain a dry, clutter-free environment. Here are some prevention tips:

• Seal Cracks and Gaps: Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, or holes around doors, windows, and foundations. Sealing these openings can prevent silverfish from sneaking in.
• Reduce Humidity: Use dehumidifiers to keep moisture levels low, particularly in basements, bathrooms, and kitchens. Silverfish thrive in humid conditions, so maintaining a dry environment will make your home less attractive to them.
• Store Items in Sealed Containers: Silverfish love to feed on paper, fabric, and starchy materials. Store books, important documents, and clothes in sealed plastic containers to protect them from damage.
• Declutter Regularly: Clear out old magazines, newspapers, and unused cardboard boxes, as these provide ideal hiding spots and food sources for silverfish.

How to Eliminate a Silverfish Infestation

The best way to handle a silverfish infestation is through early prevention, but if you already have silverfish in your home, you’ll need to act quickly. Here’s what you can do:

1. Remove Silverfish Temptations: Silverfish feed on starches, paper, and fabric. Reducing clutter and removing old papers, magazines, and unused items can help limit their food sources. Additionally, repair peeling wallpaper or chipped paint, as these areas can attract silverfish.
2. Dehumidify Your Home: Since silverfish prefer humid environments, using dehumidifiers in high-moisture areas will help make your home less inviting to these pests.
3. Regular Cleaning: Frequently vacuum areas where silverfish are most likely to hide, such as behind furniture, in closets, and along baseboards.
4. Seal Entry Points: Close up any cracks, crevices, or gaps that silverfish might use to enter your home. This will not only help eliminate existing infestations but also prevent future ones.

Silverfish Control: DIY vs Professional Help

While DIY methods such as silverfish traps and household remedies might work for minor infestations, they are not always effective against larger, hidden populations. Silverfish are nocturnal and often go undetected until they’ve done significant damage. You might catch one or two with traps, but for every silverfish you see, there could be dozens more hiding.

For a more comprehensive solution, it’s best to call in Canberra Pest Control. Our experienced technicians can assess the severity of your infestation and use targeted treatments to eliminate silverfish from your home. We also offer long-term prevention strategies to ensure they don’t return.

Silverfish Facts: How Many Eggs Do Silverfish Lay?

Female silverfish can lay anywhere between 2 to 20 eggs in clusters, often hidden in cracks, between clothes, or inside books. These tiny eggs are only 1mm long, making them difficult to spot, but once they hatch, the infestation can grow quickly.

Are Silverfish Harmful?

Silverfish do not bite humans and don’t carry disease-causing pathogens. However, their feeding habits can cause significant damage to books, clothing, wallpaper, and other household items. Silverfish shed their scales as they grow, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people. If you or someone in your household experiences allergy symptoms, it’s important to address the infestation quickly to reduce exposure to the dust and scales left behind.

Why Choose ACT Pest Control to Eliminate Silverfish in Canberra?

At ACT Pest Control, we have extensive experience dealing with silverfish infestations in Canberra. Our professional technicians are trained to identify and eliminate silverfish at the source. We use effective, family- and pet-friendly treatments to rid your home of silverfish and ensure they don’t return. Whether you’re dealing with a minor infestation or a full-blown silverfish invasion, we’re here to help.

Contact ACT Pest Control Today

Don’t let silverfish damage your favourite books, clothing, or wallpaper. Contact ACT Pest Control today on 1300 022 122 for a thorough inspection and expert treatment plan. We’ll help eliminate silverfish from your Canberra home and protect your property from future infestations.