Why Are There Silverfish In My Jacksonville Home?

If you have silverfish problems in your Jacksonville home, you might not realize just how frustrating these pests can be. Many people don't think about silverfish when they think about pest problems in the Jacksonville area. Still, these invasive pests can be the most common and problematic in this part of Florida. Fortunately, after decades of serving the Jacksonville area, our experts at Lindsey Pest Services understand exactly what causes and prevents robust silverfish infestations. Find out how to spot an infestation before it gets out of hand and how to prevent these pest problems in your home.

Get The Facts

Silverfish are some of the most unsightly pests in the Jacksonville area. They will invade your home in large numbers and pose an intimidating presence in the low-traffic areas of your home. These pests are typically white with a silvery, shiny finish that gives them their name. They resemble tiny lobsters, which makes sense because they are a member of the crustacean family.

As crustaceans, they are highly attracted to moisture buildup in your yard and home. If there is condensation or humidity in your garage, basement, crawl space, or attic, they will invade in large numbers. They will utilize various cracks and crevices or openings around your home to gain access to these areas, and the large size of their colonies can make them challenging to control on your own.

Silverfish love to feed on the starchy products around your house, including paper products, cardboard boxes, stored dry goods, magazines, books, and even your wallpaper. Finding damaged paper products around the home is one of the most common signs of an infestation, or you may see silverfish gathering in large numbers around the low traffic areas of your home. They may not be dangerous to your health, but they can be an unsightly and unwelcome houseguest that threatens your stored products and your young vegetation in the yard.

Proper Prevention Habits

To prevent a silverfish infestation, you should reduce their attraction to your property in the following methods:

• Maintain the lawn regularly to avoid unnecessary moisture buildup.

• Utilize a dehumidifier in the low-traffic areas of your home.

• Implement a proper gutter and downspout system to avoid standing after near the side of the home that can lead to moisture buildup.

• Seal up cracks and crevices around the home with silicone-based caulking.

• Check your screened areas regularly for cuts or holes in the screen.

• Partner with the professionals at the first sign of a problem.

Since silverfish can be so problematic and numerous, it won't be easy to eliminate them with DIY methods. Most homeowners make the mistake of trying to vacuum or spray utilizing store-bought remedies, but this will only eradicate a small portion of the infestation. Plus, if you do not do a near-perfect job maintaining moisture control on your property, these pests will come back regularly.

That's why our silverfish treatments at Lindsay Pest Services begin with a thorough inspection to get to the root of the problem. We will then suggest treatment methods and steps you can take on your own to limit their chances of returning. Instead of falling into the cycle of continuously responding and reacting to pest problems on your property, you'll be able to enjoy pest-free bliss (and even save some time and money in the process). 

Our treatments are specifically designed to keep pests out of your yard and home, so you can rest assured that you will not have to deal with silverfish problems any longer. For more advice or assistance, contact the professionals at Lindsey Pest Services today.