They are small and quick but if you spot this tiny silver insect darting around your house you might have a significant and expensive problem.
Experts are urging anyone who spots a silverfish in their property to take immediate action to check for damp.
These shiny silver insects, shaped like a teardrop, thrive in damp conditions and love areas with water and moisture.
If you spot one darting in or out of your skirting boards or gaps around windowsills, it’s likely an indication of damp and moisture within your property.
If left unchecked, damp can lead to numerous problems, including cracking bricks, rotting joists, decaying plaster, and spreading mould spores. In severe cases, it can damage the very structure of the property and affect air quality.
Dampness can be caused by various factors, from leaky drainpipes to condensation, ageing damp proofing, or poor ventilation, particularly in bathrooms or kitchens where water vapour lingers in the air. Pinpointing the cause can be challenging, but spotting silverfish indoors is usually a sign that there’s dampness that needs addressing.
According to Which?, the sooner you identify signs of damp, the easier it will be to eliminate. It advises people to look for indications on walls such as wet or damp patches, peeling wallpaper, and flaking plaster.
Other signs include damp and musty odours, rotting wood, and the appearance of mould and mildew on walls, floors, or ceilings.
Among the suggested solutions are using a dehumidifier, ensuring your home is well-ventilated, checking your gutters for leaks, applying damp-proof paint to your walls and, if required, hiring a professional to treat areas affected by rising damp.
