Silverfish are common in homes and may look small and harmless at first. Because of what they eat, though, they can do real damage to the things you value. These insects multiply quickly in humid areas and can soon spread throughout the house. Bodrum Natural Pest uses professional methods to clear silverfish problems and keep your home free of these unwelcome guests for good.
What are silverfish?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) take their name from the metallic silver-blue sheen of their bodies. They are slim, long and slippery-looking, with antennae and three long bristles at the rear. They move very fast, so they are hard to spot.
Their flat bodies let them hide in small cracks, gaps in walls and under parquet floors. They are active at night, so they often go unnoticed until they have already done serious damage.
Why silverfish are harmful
Silverfish feed mainly on materials that contain starch and cellulose, which puts many household items at risk:
- books, magazines and documents
- photo albums
- wallpaper and plaster surfaces
- cardboard and packaging
- fabrics containing starch
- sugary foods
- paper insulation inside electronic devices
Offices with valuable archives, collectors’ homes, libraries and museums are among the places most at risk. Silverfish are a hygiene concern as well: their scales and droppings build up on surfaces and can trigger allergic reactions in people with sensitive airways.
Signs of an infestation and where they live
Silverfish love damp and darkness. They are most often found in:
- kitchen cupboards
- bathrooms and toilets
- laundry rooms
- basements and storerooms
- attics
- the base of walls with leaks
- behind skirting boards and under parquet
Bodrum’s position close to sea level and its humid climate suit them well, so they are a common sight here. If you have seen one, there may be dozens or even hundreds hidden in gaps in the walls and floor. They do not disappear by themselves; as long as conditions are right, their numbers keep growing.
Why they are hard to get rid of
- They hide in cracks and places that are hard to reach.
- They are active at night, so they are hard to monitor.
- Ordinary cleaning and shop-bought products do not work.
- As long as there is damp, they keep going.
Home treatments usually only work on the surface, so the problem soon returns.
How we treat it
Our team first inspects the property to find where the silverfish are breeding, then treats with methods suitable for the health of people and pets. Our process:
- inspection and risk assessment
- finding the source of the problem
- professional treatment
- advice on damp control and sealing
- a follow-up plan for a lasting result
The products we use are odourless, leave no marks and have a long-lasting effect.
Prevention tips
- Air your home to bring humidity down.
- Repair leaks and water damage.
- Keep food in closed containers.
- Do not let unused paper and cardboard pile up.
- Keep your home clean and tidy.
- Seal cracks in skirting boards and walls.
Why choose Bodrum Natural Pest
- an expert team
- a fast response
- solutions that respect nature and human health
- a guarantee of lasting results
- service throughout the Bodrum district
Silverfish are not the only pests that damage your belongings: see our pages on moth control and textile pest control, our pest extermination in Bodrum for homes and businesses or the full list of pests we treat.
Damp is usually the real cause, as our guide to dealing with silverfish by controlling bathroom damp shows.
Seen a silverfish? Call +90 (252) 382 76 67 or contact us and we will clear them safely. Bodrum Natural Pest provides pest control in Bodrum for homes, villas, hotels and businesses.