Urgent warning issued to families over tiny insects spotted in UK homes

Pests are name as such because they do our absolute heads in, with different ones causing problems throughout the year.

Whether it's mice seeking out the warmth of indoors during winter, or discovering you have a wasp's nest growing under the eaves during spring, when pests come into the house, the nightmare begins.

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Among the many pests that disrupt our peace and come into our households without are permission are a small species of insect.

These have an appearance with a long, thin body, six legs, antennae, two 'tails' coming out of the back, and a silvery colour.

That's right, I'm talking about the silverfish. That primitive, pesky, little insect that is common in many places across the globe.

They thrive in damp conditions, with humidity above 75% being an ideal condition for them to thrive in, which is why you're most likely to find them in your bathroom or kitchen. Gross.

While silverfish are not a direct threat to people, - despite them making your skin crawl - they can still cause a lot of problems.

They feed on sugar and starch, which can be found in anything from food to paper.

This makes them a big problem for libraries, where an infestation can cause serious damage to books if left unchecked.

For our every day homes, silverfish can contaminate food with scales and droppings, as well as sometimes aggravating allergies.

The little insects, which grow between 1.2cm and 2.5cm, can also be a sign of bigger problems in a home - especially if you are seeing them in numbers.

They really are the gift no one asked for that just keeps on giving, aren't they?

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Due to the conditions in which they thrive, silverfish can sometimes be a sign of a damp problem in a building. If left unchecked, this could end up causing serious damage to a property, not to mention any damp related health issues.

Silverfish do have natural predators including earwigs, centipedes, and spiders. So, maybe the next time you see a spider in the corner of your home, leave it alone - if you can help it. Although this is starting to sound like a real a Sophie's Choice. However, the fact they can live for up to eight years might sway you on that one a little bit.

If you do think the presence of silverfish in your house is caused by a damp problem, do get it sorted immediately. And when it comes to dealing with the unwanted visitors, there are a few ways you can oust them from your home for good, which include 'sticky traps', 'insecticides' and 'store bought chemicals'.

Topics: News, UK News, Animals

Kit Roberts

Kit joined Tyla as a community journalist in 2023. They previously worked for StokeonTrentLive, The Mirror, and the Daily Star.