Silverfish are small, nocturnal, wingless insects also known as fishmoths, carpet sharks or paramites and get their name from their silvery-blue hue and their wiggling, fish-like motion. They have been around for 300 million years which means they lived with the dinosaurs and are truly living fossils.
These pests can cause a great deal of damage as they feed on a wide variety of items. They are urban dwellers throughout North America, Europe and Asia and are usually found in more moist environments as they require a relative humidity between 75% and 95%.
They are often found in basements, attics, garages, closets and bathrooms. Always be aware of areas that can stay moist such as bathrooms and laundry rooms as they are favorite haunts for these sneaky pests.
Silverfish are considered one of the more damaging pests because they eat and destroy much property. Their diet is comprised of sugars and starches (carbohydrates) which they find in all sorts of places such as glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Other substances they may eat include silk, linen, cotton, synthetic fiber, plus dead insects and even their own molted exoskeleton. They can cause incredible damage to wallpaper and scrapbooks in particular!
During famine, these pests may even dine on leather and synthetic fabrics. But here is the disgusting part – silverfish can live for more than a year without eating!
Once they get established in a home, they are able to multiply rapidly. A female silverfish will lay up to one hundred eggs in a lifetime that typically spans from two to eight years. The eggs hatch after about two weeks to two months and are whitish, smaller versions of the adults. Unlike other insect species, they continue to molt throughout their lives.
Damage by these pests is easily identified as they leave bite marks on items similar to the look of a caterpillar munching on the edge of a leaf. Wherever you find damage, it is likely they are very close by but are extremely hard to find because they can slip into small crevices and hide easily. As they are nocturnal, they avoid light which is another reason they are hard to locate. Early detection and treatment is very important in the pest control of silverfish.
Silverfish are considered one of the more damaging pests because they eat and destroy much property. Their diet is comprised of sugars and starches (carbohydrates) which they find in all sorts of places such as glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Other substances they may eat include silk, linen, cotton, synthetic fiber, plus dead insects and even their own molted exoskeleton. They can cause incredible damage to wallpaper and scrapbooks in particular!
During famine, these pests may even dine on leather and synthetic fabrics. But here is the disgusting part – silverfish can live for more than a year without eating!
If you find you have an infestation, do not rush out to buy a toxic insecticide. As silverfish penetrate deep into your home, using synthetic chemicals to combat them is placing poisons deep within your home. Natural pest control such as keeping areas free from continuous moisture is a great solution as they will not live in inhospitable areas. Improving ventilation, using a dehumidifier, etc. are great natural pest control solutions to rid your home of silverfish without toxic chemicals. Silverfish are nuisance pests that are a pain to deal with so prevention and knowledge of habits are keys to control.
Louise Hodges is the owner of Greenbug All Natural Pest Control Products which are safe and effective pest control solutions for People, Pets, Indoors, and Outdoors. Greenbug products use an active ingredient of cedar mixed with safe carriers. Think of cedar chests and closets where you never see a bug – that is because cedar is deadly to pests yet harmless to humans, animals and the environment.
Greenbug products kill and repel all the pests you don’t want such as Mosquitoes, Fleas, Ticks, Fire Ants, Roaches, Stink Bugs, Silverfish, Dust Mites, White Fly, Sugar Ants, etc. but cause no harm whatsoever to beneficial creatures such as butterflies, lady bugs and honey bees.
As a practicing Landscape Designer for more than 20 years, Louise is honored to have the opportunity to provide safe, worry-free pest control solutions that work!
