Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) with fish-like scales,
are often known to destroy our books and clothes.
Let us learn about their behaviour, lifecycle, and interesting facts about silverfish.
Silverfish are tiny, wingless insects named for their silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like movements. They are among the oldest living insects, dating back over 400 million years.
What do Silverfish look like?
Silverfish are tiny pests that are about as long as your thumbnail, around 0.5 to 1 inch. They look shiny and silver, like a little fish, which is how they got their name. Their bodies are shaped like a teardrop and they have long feelers on their heads and three tails at the back. They move in a wiggly way, almost like a fish swimming.
Where do Silverfish come from?
If your home has any gaps, cracks, or holes in your exterior walls, especially those caused by moisture damage, silverfish can easily find their way inside. You might unknowingly bring them into your home through infested food products, packaging boxes, damp books, or papers.
Lifecycle of Silverfish
The lifecycle of silverfish has three main stages: egg, nymph, and adult.
Egg: Silverfish lay tiny, white eggs in hidden spots like cracks. Depending on the temperature and humidity, it takes between two weeks and two months for the eggs to hatch.
Nymph: When the eggs hatch, baby silverfish called nymphs come out. They look like tiny, white versions of adult silverfish. As they grow, they shed their skin several times and gradually turn silver. It can take a few months to a few years for nymphs to become adults, depending on their environment.
Adult: Fully grown adult silverfish are about 0.5 to 1 inch long. Unlike many other insects, silverfish continue to shed their skin even as adults. They can live for several years and keep reproducing during their lifespan.
About 250 species of silverfish are found in the world, and only about 40 are found in North America. While Lepisma saccharina is the most well-known species, there are other types of silverfish, including:
Getting rid of silverfish involves a few simple steps. First, use dehumidifiers to make your home less humid, especially in places like the basement and bathroom. This makes it less comfortable for silverfish.
Next, seal any cracks or gaps around windows and doors to stop them from coming in.
Keep your home clean by storing food in airtight containers and getting rid of old papers and clutter that silverfish might eat. You can also use silverfish treatments and natural repellents like cedar oil to catch and repel them. In severe cases, it might be necessary to call professional Silverfish pest control services for full Silverfish extermination.
You can use dehumidifiers, seal entry points, remove food sources, and use traps or insecticides. Silverfishes hate direct sunlight, so ensure that doors and windows are opened during the peak hours of sunlight.
Silverfish typically enter homes through cracks and windows, and by hitching a ride on infested items. Like fleas, silverfish are also hitchhikers. they tag along damp boxes, books, food, and clothes and enter your homes.
Maintaining low humidity levels, sealing cracks, and reducing clutter can help prevent silverfish infestations. Organize and clean your home at regular intervals to avoid silverfish laying eggs in your attic or bookshelves.
Silverfish are attracted to moisture, starchy foods, and dark, undisturbed areas.
Seeing more than a few silverfish regularly can indicate an infestation, especially if found in multiple areas of the home. Regularly inspect your home for silverfish infestations and call for expert silverfish treatment services, if the damage is severe.
You can use natural repellents like cedar oil, citrus sprays, and diatomaceous earth can help keep silverfish at bay.
Silverfish lay eggs in hidden, moist areas such as crevices, cracks, and behind baseboards.
Store books and clothes in dry, sealed containers and reduce humidity levels to prevent silverfish damage.
Silverfish live in damp, dark areas. Common habitats of silverfishes include basements, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, storage boxes, behind wallpaper and in-book bindings, basements, and crawl spaces. They prefer environments with high humidity levels, typically above 75%.
While silverfish are not harmful to humans and do not carry diseases or bite, they can cause significant damage to household items. Their feeding habits can ruin books, clothing, wallpaper, and food, leading to costly repairs and replacements.
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