Silverfish
What is a silverfish?
Silverfish are pretty harmless indoor insects that rarely cause any major damage to homes. But if they grow to large numbers, they can eat up valuable belongings and generally be a nuisance.They pop up in places that have a lot of humidity or moisture, places like bathroom, laundry room, or basement. This is because these pests are drawn to moisture. A silverfish, also known as a fish moth, urban silverfish, or carpet shark is a very small insect with a flattened, slender body.A pest control inspection from our Environmental Pest Management professionals is the first step to safeguarding your property.
When to call for silverfish pest control?
If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. A single female can lay 100 eggs in her lifetime and it only takes 3 months from egg to adult. It doesn’t take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand.
Common types of Silverfish
North American Silverfish
Half an inch long, and a uniform gray-silver color. Like all silverfish it is wingless, but has a jointed, segmented body with parallel sets of legs extending outwards.
Four-Lined Silverfish
The four-lined silverfish has four black lines running down on its back. The overall color is tan with a gray cast.It prefers slightly warmer temperatures than the common silverfish, but also requires high humidity and a food source such as the cellulose found in paper.
Giant Silverfish
The gray or giant silverfish is by far the largest type. Sizes range from three-quarters of an inch to an inch. It has a uniform gray color, sometimes with less of a silvery sheen than the common silverfish.
Tips to prevent silverfish
- Keep all dry food in your cupboards in sealed containers.Clean up any food particles around your home.
- Dust your home often.
- Store clothes in a dry environment.
- Make sure your rooms are well-ventilated.
Facts about Silverfish
- They have scales that help them move like a fish.
- They can live a very long time, an average of 3-6 years.
- They perform an odd dancing and chasing mating ritual.
- They are very hard to get rid of since they are resistant to most insecticides
