Silverfish are a common pest in UK homes, and their numbers explode in August, then continue into the wetter months like September, October and November as autumn arrives
British households are being overrun by a minuscule silver pest this autumn – which could signal a massive issue lurking within your property.
Silverfish are an uncommon nuisance in the home: these gleaming silver, teardrop-shaped creatures are typically discovered hiding in skirting boards, beside window frames and in other timber-based corners and crevices, with their populations surging in August before persisting through the damper months of September, October and November as autumn sets in.
What’s more concerning is that silverfish actually serve as a troubling warning sign of an issue that could prove enormously costly to remedy – moisture problems.
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These insects are drawn to damp locations, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens, reports the Express. Excess moisture can destroy the supporting beams and framework of your property, leading to mould spore contamination and potential health complications if ignored, whilst it’s extremely expensive to tear out and rebuild entire walls or flooring severely damaged by dampness, plus eliminate mould and dark staining.
Specialists at Moxie Pest Control state: “We’ve all seen them. Silverfish are one of the most common pests found indoors -especially during the fall. Since these pests prefer relatively warm and humid environments, temperature drops in autumn bring silverfish knocking at your door.
“Silverfish are not directly harmful to humans. These small insects do not bite or spread disease. Although they don’t directly harm people, some rare cases of allergic reactions can be triggered by silverfish and they can pose a risk to your food supply via contamination. It’s essential to inspect food items for any signs of these insects and discard anything that appears infested.
“One of the most common ways silverfish enter your home is by hitchhiking a ride on books, papers, cartons, cardboard boxes, and other items you bring in and out of your home daily. Talk about getting you to do their dirty work.
“Once they establish residence, silverfish move in and out of your home through tiny cracks in walls, doors, and floorboards. Silverfish are nocturnal, so there could actually be a lot more of them than just the couple you’ve seen around your house during the day.”
Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing, offers his leading advice for maintaining a silverfish-free bathroom. He explained: “Silverfish are often found in bathrooms as they are attracted to areas with high moisture levels. When bathrooms become damp and humid, they are the ideal place for silverfish to gather.
“Reducing bathroom humidity is essential when looking to eliminate silverfish in your bathroom. This can be done in a few simple steps, firstly installing an extractor fan in your bathroom can not only stop unwanted pests but also stop the spread of mould and mildew in the room. For a cheaper but short-term option, buying disposable dehumidifiers can help to reduce excess moisture.
“Dehumidifiers work by trapping the moisture in the air, preventing it from spreading around the room. This is especially important in small or windowless rooms, in particular bathrooms, where moisture has nowhere to escape.”
He added: “One of the simplest ways of reducing the risk of silverfish in your bathroom is by hanging up your bath mat or [hanging it] over the bath after use. When your bath mat becomes damp after being used it can leave a moist and warm environment in which silverfish thrive.”
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