• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Brits urged to watch out for 'primitive' bugs that can 'cost a lot' if you find them in your home

Home> News> UK News

Updated 13:24 11 Aug 2024 GMT+1Published 13:23 11 Aug 2024 GMT+1

Brits urged to watch out for 'primitive' bugs that can 'cost a lot' if you find them in your home

Brits have been warned about a pesky little insect that could cost you a fortune

Mia Williams

Mia Williams

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.

Advert

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)
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.

Advert

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)
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.

Advert

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)
Silverfish live where moisture builds. (Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)

Advert

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."

Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images

Topics: UK News, Animals

Mia Williams
Mia Williams

Mia is a freelance writer for LADBible, and an award-winning trainee journalist at the UK’s No.1 journalism school, News Associates.

X

@mia_francessca

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
15 hours ago
  • an hour ago

    Documents released reveal one place in UK people would be safe if WW3 erupted

    Documents suggest that the plot was purchased before WW2 and is tucked away in a thick forest

    News
  • an hour ago

    Strict rules revealed as GPs start to prescribe weight loss drug Mounjaro from today

    It is expected that very few people will qualify at first

    News
  • 15 hours ago

    British tourist left fighting for her life after catching deadly lung disease on all-inclusive holiday

    Donna Jobling was placed in a medically induced coma 11 days ago after her holiday to Crete took a tragic turn

    News
  • 15 hours ago

    Satellite images show impact site of US bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities

    New satellite snaps have revealed the extent of damage done by the US on Iran's military base

    News
  • Brits urged to stay at home for days if they catch dangerous new 'Kawasaki' bug as cases surge
  • Symptoms of dangerous new 'Kawasaki' bug as Brits urged to stay at home for days if they catch it
  • Six symptoms of ‘extremely contagious’ virus as Brits are urged to stay at home
  • Brits need to 'learn to speak Russian' if Britain doesn't do one thing, says NATO secretary-general