Silverfish, the small, wingless insects, are very fond of moist and dark areas. You can spot them in your kitchens, sinks, bathrooms, wardrobes, garages and the tiny crevices in the walls of your homes. At first glance, they may resemble the venomous centipedes; however, watch out for their trademark silvery grey bodies to identify their type.

Silverfish infestations can cause quite a lot of mess in your homes because these insects love to feed on starch-rich foods such as paper, cardboard, glue, wallpapers, clothes, etc. They are also very difficult to spot because they are very tiny and can quickly get into a tiny hole in the walls. They have many appendages on their small bodies, with the help of which they move very swiftly.

You may be surprised to know that these small insects can scale high walls and ceilings with utmost ease. They can jump as high as 2 feet in a second. Hence, it is very difficult to catch them. You will need the help of professional pest control services to control and prevent silverfish infestations at your place.

As in the case of all other pests, you might have a few questions in your mind with respect to silverfish as well. Do silverfish bite humans? Are they venomous? Do they carry any diseases? These are the common questions that arise in people’s minds when they hear about silverfish. The answer to all these questions is a vehement, “No”!

Silverfish are not predatory. They don’t bite humans or other insects. They only feed on carbohydrate and protein-rich foods. They can go without food for about a year, and they live for a long time. Their average lifespan is around 6 to 8 years, which is quite long when compared to other insects such as cockroaches and spiders.

Yes, silverfish infestation does create a lot of mess in your house; however, you can rest assured knowing that they are not venomous or dangerous. They don’t carry any deadly diseases. They don’t harm humans in any way. When you try to catch them, they jump or fly off in an instant. They are nocturnal insects that love to attack your kitchen, garbage bins, and bookshelves during the night when you are blissfully unaware of the happenings going on around in your home.

While they don’t bite humans, they are known to cause some allergic reactions in humans. During their adulthood, silverfish are known to shed their hair, in a process called molting. This hair-shedding process results in few scales being dropped on the floor. The dust created by these scales can cause an allergic reaction in some humans.

The best ways to prevent silverfish infestations in your home are the following:

• Keep the areas surrounding your house dry and clean at all homes
• Don’t leave any foods lying open in the kitchen counters; ensure that you always use air-tight containers for storing dry food items
• Keep your homes dust-free by vacuuming the floors and carpets thoroughly daily
• Check for the tiny cracks and crevices on your walls and leakages in the plumbing lines so that you can sort them out at the earliest
  
  

Try these tips and stay away from silverfish infestations. Though they don’t bite humans, it is important to follow these tips to safeguard your belongings.