Fishmoths, (also known as silverfish), are some of the most annoying and off-putting pests that you can find in your home. Although not harmful to humans, they can be destructive to clothes, wallpaper, books, and other objects and the mere presence in your home can be a source of discomfort and aversion.
Fortunately, if you have discovered an infestation of fish moths in your home, there are some steps you can take to rid yourself of the pests quickly and effectively. Whether you need to pay more attention to certain aspects of your home or call in a professional pest control company to deal with persistent problems – you can get rid of these little pests!
Below we will talk you through everything you need to know about Fishmoths, including why they may be infesting your home and what you can do to make sure they are banished from your property for good.
What are Fish moths?
Fishmoths are small, nocturnal insects that can make themselves at home in various parts of your property. They are also known as silverfish, due to their silver-grey colouring and fish-like movement. They can also be identified from their antennas and taped tail-like ends.
These small pests are fast-moving so they can escape predators and are likely to be found burrowed into dark corners and other areas of your home.
What attracts an infestation of fish moths into your home?
If you have an infestation of fish months in your home, they may have been attracted by any of the following aspects of your property:
Fish Moths are Attracted to Certain Food Sources
If you have open packets of grains, dried goods, pasta, sugars, fibres, or pet food these may have contributed towards an infestation of fish moths settling in your home.
Warm Dark Places to Hide Behind Furniture and Fixtures
Fish moths are attracted to dark, warm, and safe areas in your home. For this reason, you are likely to find fish moth infestations behind bookshelves and furniture or in dark cupboards or basements.
Moist, Damp Areas Where Fish Moth Can Lay Their Eggs
Safe, undisturbed, and damp corners in your home provide the perfect place to lay their eggs. For this reason, they can be found in moist, damp areas of your house which are areas that do not see a lot of foot traffic throughout the day.
Fish Months Are Attracted to Moist and Damp Areas in a Property
Fish moths are quick to move and always on the lookout for places to hide within your home. Keep an eye on areas such as utility rooms, laundry areas, areas near or under sinks, and behind furniture and fixtures.
What Are the Signs of an Infestation of Fish Moths?
There are certain things you can look out for if you believe you have an infestation of fish moths, such as holes in clothing and synthetic fabrics, dropping and small holes in the wallpaper, and tears and holes in food packages.
Where Are You Likely To Find Fish Months in Your House?
So, now that we know what attracted fish moths to your house, what areas of the property are they most likely to be found in? If you have noticed the symptoms of fish moths on your clothes, books, and in your food cupboards, here are the areas you should check:
- Underneath and around sink and bath areas.
- Corners of food cupboards.
- Basements, attics, and utility rooms.
- Sheds and outdoor structures.
- Porches.
- Dark corners of the house which are largely undisturbed.
How to Reduce the Risk of Fish Moths in Your House
There are certain steps you can take to reduce the risk of fish moths in your house. They include:
The Regular Cleaning and Checks of Clothes and Dark, Unused Areas
Make sure that you are regularly cleaning and checking cupboards and drawers for silverfish. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove all dust and dirt in these areas. Allow areas to air out to remove damp issues and clean and dust areas with books and papers as well.
If you have seasonal clothing items and blankets stored away for the winter, you can store them in airtight bags to keep them safe.
Use Cedar Oil to Repel Fish Moths
An effective DIY repellent for fish moths is cedar oil. If you want to get rid of regular infestations of these pests on your property, you can buy blocks of cedar wood or essential cedar oil. Place these in wardrobes, cupboards, drawers, bookshelves, and other places prone to silverfish infestation to stave off silverfish, moths, and other insects.
Boric Acid is Poisonous to Silverfish
Boric acid will work as a silverfish repellent and keep the insects away from the property. Sprinkle boric acid on the edges and corners of drawers, cupboards, shelves, and other storage areas. This should help you to get rid of silverfish and keep them away long-term.
Use Bug Spray to Get rid Of An Infestation of Silverfish
During your regular checks of the drawers, cupboards, and wardrobes in your home, you can also take the opportunity to apply bug spray to the areas. These sprays can smell very unpleasant, so you should do this in rooms you are not planning to use for the rest of the day and let them air out a bit before using them again.
Contact a Pest Control Company to get Professional Treatment for the Problem
if you have applied all of the above solutions to the problem and your silverfish problem still won’t go away, you should contact your local pest control service.
Silverfish can be very much like ants, in that once they are spotted in your home, it can seem impossible to get rid of them completely. You may apply a treatment and think you have dealt with the problem, only for them to be spotted again in a few days!
A professional pest control service will have the high-power tools, deterrents, and expertise to make sure that you get rid of silverfish once and for all.
