Silverfish

What do silverfish look like?

Silverfish are shiny, silver insects with two antennae on the head and three appendages on the tip of the abdomen that look like antennae. One of these three appendages points out straight, and the other two point to each side. A silverfish has three life stages: egg, nymph, and adult. The nymphs look like the adult silverfish, only tinier. They can grow from up to half of an inch to 1. Adults have a fish-like shape that is wide at the head and tapered off at the end of the abdomen.

What do silverfish eat?

The diet of a silverfish primarily consists of sugars and starches. They can get these from human foods such as cereal, grains, flour, and other foods found in your pantry, but they mostly target things that humans don't consider to be food:

• Documents
• Book pages
• Bookbindings
• Cardboard
• Wallpaper
• Photos
• Clothing
• Curtains
• Sheets
• And more
  

These insects scrape and gnaw to collect food, an activity that can cause holes in the things you own or cause damage to building materials.

Silverfish also eat decomposing organic matter from humans and animals. Here are a few of the things they eat:

• Dandruff and other dead skin
• Hair
• Dead insects
  

These food sources can increase the growth of a silverfish population. Sanitation can reduce silverfish population growth.

Are silverfish harmful?

These insects are not harmful to humans. They won't bite or sting you. But they can damage your belongings.

What attracts silverfish?

There are several attractants that can bring silverfish close to man-made structures. Here are a few specific examples:

• Moisture
  Silverfish need moisture for body hydration, so they gravitate to any damp environment. Leaky or clogged gutters can lead to perimeter dampness and attract silverfish. Dense mulch can create a humid environment underneath. Alter conditions that create moist environments.
  

• Humidity
  Silverfish and many other pests are attracted to humid environments. Dense vegetation in your landscaping or tall grass running alongside your home can increase your chances of having a silverfish infestation.
  

• Light
  Silverfish eat dead insects, and many insects are attracted to light. Reducing exterior light can help you reduce the number of insects and the pests that eat them.
  

• Dark
  A greater attractant than light is darkness, but not overall darkness. We're talking about the kind of darkness found underneath objects in your yard. Silverfish hide under anything that blocks the sun, but they have a preference for wood, stone, and other objects found in nature.

As you consider attractants, keep in mind that tall grass in your yard is likely the first catalyst to having silverfish problems. These insects take advantage of the higher humidity in tall lawn grass.

Do silverfish reproduce fast?

Typically, silverfish aren't as fast at reproducing as many other pests, but they are persistent and somewhat sneaky. They can grow a population inside your walls and feed on materials found in storage spaces. When they are provided with moist environments and plentiful food, they reproduce much faster. Eggs can take as little as 19 days to hatch, and the nymphs that emerge will take four months to reach their adult stage of development. This means you can have three population spikes in one year. If you see one silverfish in your bathroom or pantry, it is time to contact a licensed pest management professional.

How do I get rid of silverfish?

A pest control service plan is the best way to eliminate silverfish and prevent these occasional invaders from infesting your home. Plus, an ongoing service will deter other insects as well!

Can I prevent a silverfish infestation?

Yes. There are many ways to prevent a silverfish infestation. Here are a few ways you can discourage silverfish activity:

• Address moisture problems
  Damp conditions attract these insects. Cleaning gutters, trimming plants, and keeping grass cut are ways to limit moisture and humidity.
• Keep up with yard work
  Silverfish hide underneath leaves, dead branches, and other organic clutter.
• Remove yard clutter
  Silverfish hide in clutter and often find food options there, particularly in junk piles.
• Seal cracks, crevices, and gaps
  These insects get inside because they can. Expanding foam, caulking, and weather-proofing materials can help to keep them out.

Silverfish dry out if they aren't able to remain in damp or humid environments. It is helpful to consider some indoor methods that deter these pests as well.

• Use the fan in your bathroom to vent humidity.
• Install a fan in your bathroom if it doesn't have one.
• Install a dehumidifier if your home is humid.
• Fix leaks.