Brits have been warned about a pesky little insect that indicates there is probably a very ‘costly’ problem in your home.
When you think of awful bugs you could find in your house, the likes of spiders and cockroaches spring to mind.
But this little-known insect that thrives in moisture, could be an even bigger threat if you find one lurking.
Despite not harming you directly, they might damage your bank account, because finding these inside your house could indicate there’s a big problem that needs fixing – especially if it’s left unchecked.
Many of us clean our homes regularly to keep pests like cockroaches and other insects at bay. (Getty Stock Image)
They prefer a diet of carbohydrates like cereal and oats, as oppose to human flesh, but can survive without eating as long as water is available.The pesky insect in question is the silverfish – a silver wingless creature with a fish-like appearance.
And the problems with these little guys are costly.
Silverfish are nocturnal, and have many of the same habits as cockroaches.
You can find them in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages and cabinets, and they can only survive in areas where humidity is above 75 percent, WebMD states.
So if you see one slithering on the floor, there’s a good chance that there is too much moisture inside your property.
Silverfish could pose a costly problem. (Getty stock image)
And that’s not the worst of it – a continuous damp problem can cause bricks to crack, plaster to decay and mould spores to spread, which will ultimately destroy your home and cost a fortune to repair.
But silverfish aren’t the only cause of dampness.
Things like poor ventilation, a leaking roof, and a leaking washing machine or dishwasher, can cause the same issues.
The exact cause of damp can be extremely hard to pin down, but it is without a doubt that spotting silverfish indoors can be a sign that there’s damp to be sorted out.
And they’re not exactly easy to get rid of.
Silverfish live where moisture builds. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
According to Medical News Today, people ‘should only use insecticides for large infestations’.
They recommend ringing the professionals at your local pest control to sort the problem out, although there are some rumoured ‘natural’ methods that could work.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the following natural ingredients can repel silverfish:
- Cedar shavings
- Cedar oil and water
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
They added that: “Traps that use sticky tape or boric acid can be helpful for small infestations. However, boric acid is harmful to humans and pets if they ingest it.”