Silverfish and earwig control in the GTA and Peel

Silverfish

Teardrop-shaped, silver-grey, wingless and unnervingly quick. They live in humid, dark spaces: bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, under sinks, inside wall voids and behind baseboards. They eat starch and cellulose, so book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, stored paper and even the sizing in fabric are all fair game. They are not dangerous to people, but they can damage stored paper, books and fabrics. Frequent activity often points to excess humidity or a hidden moisture source.

Earwigs

Dark brown, with the pincers at the back. Despite the name and appearance, earwigs do not crawl into people’s ears and are not considered dangerous to people. They live outdoors in mulch, leaf litter, under stones and landscape timber, and they push indoors in numbers during dry spells or heavy rain, usually into basements and ground floor bathrooms.

How we treat them

1. Inspection focused on moisture and access. We check for plumbing leaks, weak ventilation, basement humidity, drainage at the foundation and damp exterior harbourage.
2. Targeted crack, crevice and void treatment where they are harbouring.
3. Exterior perimeter treatment, plus treating the outdoor harbourages for earwigs.
4. Exclusion. Door sweeps, sealing foundation cracks and utility penetrations, screening vents.
5. A practical moisture plan. We explain the humidity, ventilation, drainage and exterior changes most likely to reduce recurring activity.
6. Follow-up and guarantee. Any applicable 90-day written guarantee is explained in your quote.

Prevention

Keep basement humidity under about 50 percent with a dehumidifier. Run the bathroom fan during and after showers. Fix leaks quickly. Store paper, books and fabric in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard. Extend downspouts away from the house. Keep mulch, leaf litter and firewood well back from the walls.