Professional Silverfish Exterminator in the Fraser Valley
| Size: | 1.5 mm – 3 mm |
| Colour: | Silver or Grey |
| Shape: | Thin, long, wingless insects |
Silverfish Treatment
What Does Bugman Do?
Our technicians will treat the inside of your home, using either a spray or fogging-style treatment depending on the infestation severity and location.
The areas being treated will differ from one house to the next depending on each situation, but common areas to treat include: Beneath sinks, around toilets and tubs, around light fixtures, baseboards and window frames, and around any holes/openings into the wall where silverfish may be present.
The treatment is typically very straightforward and usually only requires 1 visit to kill the existing silverfish. However, getting rid of them permanently requires you to address the underlying moisture issue.
Why Choose Bugman?
We have 30 years of experience in tracking down and removing Silverfish, and we offer affordable rates with a follow-up spray.
What is Bugman’s Warranty?
We include one follow-up visit within the 3 months following treatment, if necessary.
Where Does Bugman Service?
We offer Silverfish treatment across the Fraser Valley, with our main areas of service being Mission, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley & Maple Ridge
Silverfish can be a real nuisance, if you notice them inside, give Bugman a call at 604-854-2847, and we’ll help to prevent them from taking over your home.
More Information on Silverfish
Silverfish are small, wingless insects that are typically silver or grey in color. They are known for their fish-like movements, which is how they got their name. Silverfish are nocturnal and generally only come out at night. They like dark & moist/humid places like kitchens, bathrooms, basements & laundry rooms. They may also be found in the ceiling or the attic, or inside of a wall if there is moisture present. . They are also known to consume a variety of materials, including books, wallpaper, and clothing, which can make them a nuisance in homes. They can live for several years and reproduce rapidly, which can make them difficult to control. Silverfish are not known to spread disease or cause serious damage to structures, but their presence can be a nuisance.
How Did I Get Silverfish
Silverfish can be found in even the cleanest of homes and are not a sign of poor hygiene. However, maintaining a clean and dry environment can make it less attractive to silverfish can help to prevent an infestation from developing. Here are a few ways that silverfish can find their way into your home:
Moisture: Silverfish are attracted to damp, humid environments, so if your home has a moisture problem, such as a leaky pipe or poor ventilation, it can make your home more suitable for silverfish to move in.
Openings: Silverfish can enter your home through small cracks and crevices in the foundation or walls, or through gaps around windows and doors.
Items brought into the house: Silverfish can be brought into the house on items such as books, paper products, or packaging materials that have been stored in a damp or humid area.
Neighbors: Silverfish can also migrate from neighboring houses, which is especially common in apartment buildings.
Signs of a Silverfish Infestation
Sightings – Seeing silverfish in your home is the most obvious sign of an infestation. They are most active at night and are typically found in damp, dark places such as basements, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Damage: Silverfish are known to consume a variety of materials, including books, wallpaper, and clothing. If you notice holes or damage to these items, it could be a sign of a silverfish infestation.
Droppings: Silverfish leave small, dark droppings that resemble pepper or small fragments of black charcoal. These droppings can be found near areas where the insects have been active.
Shed Skins & Yellow Stains: Silverfish shed their skin so you may find small, papery shells. They also secrete yellowish stains on the surface of items as they feed or move.
Preventing Silverfish from Infesting your Home
Reducing humidity is an effective way to remove silverfish from your home and prevent them from returning. Here are a few ways you can reduce humidity to get rid of silverfish:
Fix leaks: If you have any leaks in your home, such as a leaking pipe or roof, make sure to fix them as soon as possible. Leaks can increase humidity and attract silverfish.
Use a dehumidifier: A dehumidifier can help remove moisture from the air and keep humidity levels low.
Ventilate your home: Make sure that your home is well-ventilated, especially in damp areas such as the basement, bathroom, and kitchen. Open windows, use exhaust fans and make sure that the air in your home is circulating.
Insulation: Make sure that your home is properly insulated to prevent moisture from entering and condensing inside your home.
Check and clean gutters: Make sure that your gutters are clean and free of debris to prevent water from pooling around the foundation of your home.
Keep your house dry: Wipe up any spills or standing water, and dry any wet surfaces or materials immediately.
Reduce clutter: Decluttering and keeping your home clean can help lower the number of hiding places for silverfish.
Preventative Treatments
It is essential to maintain low humidity levels in the home to prevent silverfish from returning after an infestation has been removed. This can be done through the steps above and regular monitoring with a hygrometer. Additionally, fixing any moisture issues such as leaks, and keeping the home well-ventilated and dry, will make your house less attractive to silverfish.
However, there are some cases where the moisture may not be something you can resolve. If you live in an apartment or townhouse complex in which walls are shared, the issue may not be in your home. If this is the case, we recommend a quarterly preventative spray to keep the population out of your unit.
If you think you may need regular silverfish treatments, call Bugman today at 604-854-2847.
Silverfish Life Cycle
Eggs
Silverfish breed all year long and produce 1-3 eggs per day. They lay their eggs in small cracks and crevices, which will hatch 3-8 weeks later, depending on how humid the conditions are.
The eggs are small and oval-shaped and are usually white or yellow in color.
Nymphs
After hatching, the nymphs go through several molts as they grow and develop. They resemble adult insects but are a bit smaller and will molt 50+ times before becoming an adult.
Adults
Depending on the temperature, it can take anywhere from 3 months to two years to fully develop into an adult.
Adult silverfish are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long and are typically silver or gray in color. Adult silverfish can live for several years and reproduce rapidly, which can make them difficult to control.
Do Silverfish Bite?
Silverfish do not have a strong enough mouth to break through human skin, so they are not known to bite people. However, they can cause damage to personal property if they infest in high numbers, as they will eat book bindings, paper, clothes, and other cellulose-containing items; so, it is a good idea to get rid of them if you notice any in your home.
Do I Have Silverfish or Firebrats?
Firebrats are similar to silverfish in shape and in their movements. Like silverfish, firebrats are flat and long with large antennae at the front of their body, and three long appendages at the back of their bodies. Both are very quick and have a similar diet. Additionally, firebrats are nocturnal, like silverfish, and are attracted to moisture, so differentiating between the two can be difficult.
Differences: If you’re trying to decide whether you have silverfish or firebrats, look closely at their colour. Silverfish are grey or silver, whereas a firebrat will be a duller grey with spots or dark bands around the body. The areas you see them may be a good indicator as well. Silverfish prefer cool, moist areas so will be found in bathrooms around sinks and tubs, but firebrats prefer hotter areas so may be found around hot water pipes, furnaces or fireplaces.
Regardless of how or why they got in, give Bugman a call at 604-854-2847 and we’ll get them out.