Waterford accounts for the third most 'Silverfish' insect callouts in the country.
That's according to pest control provider Rentokil, who say there's been an 89% increase in callouts over the past 3 months across the country.
The top five counties that have accounted for silverfish callouts between July and September are Dublin (56%), Kildare (8%), Waterford (7%), Galway (6%) and Cork (4%).
Silverfish measure approximately one centimetre in length and are silver or grey in colour, and are teardrop-shaped, with tiny scales and two antennae.
The insects can lay up to 60 eggs every day, so a small problem can quickly become a large one if you find them on your premises.
An infestation of silverfish can result in damage to books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items as they feed on both starch and cellulose. They also feed on human debris such as dead skin and hair. Silverfish eggs are hidden in tiny cracks or crevices, making them extremely difficult to locate.
Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said: “Rentokil has experienced a recent increase in silverfish callouts, and we expect this trend to increase in the coming months, as these insects tend to seek shelter in homes and businesses as the weather gets colder outside."
"There a number of steps that home and business owners can take to get rid of or prevent the presence of these insects such as vacuuming and keeping dust and debris to a minimum, storing food in containers with tightly sealed lids. dehumidifying premises through the use of fans, dehumidifiers, or by opening windows to air them out and making sure all cracks in walls and skirting boards are filled."
