Summer is a great time to unwind and go fishing, but it’s hard to relax if silverfish invade your space. These small, silver bugs are shiny and look a bit like fish, but they’re troublesome little insects that are deceptively destructive.

Although some might think that silverfish are harmless and merely annoying, they can actually do damage to your home and belongings. These critters love to feed on carbohydrates, especially sugars and starches, including the glue in your favorite book or the linen in your capris. Other dead insects may be food sources for them, and they have even been found in unopened food packages.

Silverfish can create large colonies without being detected, and once their colony has ben established, it’s very hard to rid your home of them. They are nocturnal and they can move surprisingly fast. You’re most likely to find them in dark, moist areas, especially in places near their food sources. Kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and libraries are popular spots, but no part of your house is safe. You may even find them behind your wallpaper, as wallpaper glue is a great carb-loaded snackfor silverfish.

There are some things you can do to discourage infestation, such as:

• Clean spilled food quickly
• Store food in non-cardboard containers, like plastic, glass, or metal
• Reduce humidity inside your home
• Quickly remove and recycle all paper and cardboard

If you have a silverfish infestation, the best long-term solution is to call a professional, as eradicating their eggs is almost impossible to do on your own. To permanently get rid of these pests, call Green Pest Control today.