“Silverfish”: The alarming problem that unfolds if we find it in our house

They hide in the bathroom, in the kitchen or simply between the furniture. THE silver fish They are small, elongated, of a shiny silver color -hence their name- and, unfortunately, their presence is too frequent in our homes.

Is that like cockroaches and ants, these insects become a plague and reveal serious problems at home.

Silver fish – what does their presence mean in a house

When we clean or move an armchair, it is normal to find it silver fish. Although these insects are harmless to humans and do not harm the house, they do give indications there is something to fix.

It happens that by their very characteristics they indicate that they are in rooms and on the walls humidity; an inconvenience which, if not resolved in time, can have worrying, dangerous and, above all, costly consequences to resolve.

as described The mirror in an article on the subject, if left unchecked, the humidity can cause various and catastrophic damages: from the cracking of bricks, rotting of beams or plaster and the spread of mold spores, to destruction of the very structure of his house.

Obviously, the Causes The causes can be many: leaky pipes, leaks or simply poor ventilation, but the main thing is to detect and fix it in time. and that alert function is the one that satisfies the silver fish.

What are Silverfish?

He silver fish (Lepisma saccharin) It is a common insect that it feeds on organic remains such as cardboard, paper clippings, mold, sugar or fabric remnants, among other things.

Also known as “humidity bug”in addition to taking into account the structural problems that the house may have, it also causes the presence of mites or appearance of other insects.

Lovers of dark and humid environments, i silver fish it usually arises between the cracks in the walls and develops inside shady places in the houselike the cracks in furniture that moves little, kitchens and bathrooms.

Slender, millipede-like in structure but somewhat thinner, they can measure up to 12 millimeters in length, have no wings, and can live between two and eight years. They are very fast and reproduce quickly.

How to exterminate silver fish

First, when you spot them, it’s important to analyze where the moisture problem might be and fix it. But it is also essential put an end to this plague to prevent them from continuing to settle in the place.

You can finish them off by spraying ethyl alcohol the area in which we found them, advises elperiodico.com. you can also put boric acid in the joints of bathroom or kitchen tiles or spread diatomaceous earth or diatomaceous earth around the area, which will cause the insect to dry up and die.

Support also leaves tips to prevent them from reinstalling:

• Check the constant ventilation of the house.
• Avoid humidity, especially in the bathroom. When you finish taking a shower, open the door and windows.
• Seal floor cracks in tiles with cement, not silicone (they eat it).
• Disinfect with bleach or with water and ammonia.