These insects are coming to invade your Ohio home. Here’s how to keep the critters away
Slithering, scaly and silver.
Read that description again because you might be seeing these pests around your Ohio home this winter.
They are called silverfish, but no, they aren’t actually fish.
Here’s more about the little insects, why they come inside and how to keep them out of your home.
What are silverfish?
Silverfish are small, wingless pests with a flat body, long antenna and tiny legs.
According to Ohio’s Lakewood Exterminating, Silverfish get their name from the way they move, their shape and their metallic silver scales.
“Their walk appears as a fish gliding through water,” Lakewood Exterminating experts said.
Silverfish can live up to six years and although they are normally around 3/4 of an inch, they never stop growing. In fact, they shed their exoskeletons and keep growing, as long as they aren’t squished.
What’s even crazier? Silverfish have been on Earth for more than 400 million years.
Why are silverfish in your home?
Simple answer: they want food.
If you have property full of wooden structures, piles or yard waste, silverfish are likely to breed and they may even venture inside your home to find shelter and more food.
Silverfish are also especially common in the cooler months, unlike other pests that are present in warmer climates.
They love dark and damp areas, and feed on starch or sugar, but if they come inside your home, they are looking for more varieties of snacks.
Similar to other pests, they can be found in pantries, bathrooms or kitchens.
However, silverfish can be a huge annoyance due to their diet, which consists of just about anything from paper, glue, clothing and carpet to cereal.
Don’t see any around? It’s always best to check.
“You’ll likely need to dig in and get your knees dirty. Keep in mind that they shun the light. Attics, basements and storage areas, are great spots to look for them,” Lakewood Exterminating experts said.
You can also bait for them using glue traps or silverfish paks, which are lined with borate.
Are silverfish harmful?
No, they can’t bite, but they are a nuisance.
Silverfish will, however, contaminate food, cause damage and stains around your home and stir up allergies.
How can you get rid of silverfish in your home?
Here are some tips from Oasis Turf and Tree in Dayton, Ohio:
Store food in airtight containers
Vacuum crumbs and wipe down counters
Dehumidify and try to keep wet spaces dry
Seal cracks
Reach out to pest control experts if you suspect an infestation
Have you seen any silverfish in your home lately? Have tips to get rid of them? Let me know by leaving a comment below or emailing me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
This story was originally published January 8, 2024 at 12:45 PM with the headline "These insects are coming to invade your Ohio home. Here’s how to keep the critters away."
