Silverfishes

Identifying Silverfish

Silverfish are wingless insects that are elongated in shape and have a tapered abdomen at the end. Many people will commonly describe their shape as long tear-drops. They are also flattened insects that vary in length from about 13 to 25 mm. They are soft bodied which allows them to move in a squirmy movement. Their fish-like and flexible movements and also their fine scales that are silver when they are fully matured, but usually a brown in color gives them their common name, silverfish. They can also be identified by their cerci. They have three long cerci at the tips of their abdomens. One of the cerci points straight out from the end, one faces towards the left, and the last one faces the right. They also have two long antennae at the front of their heads. The cerci and antennae look very similar in form.

Silverfish Habits

Regarding reproduction, the female silverfish can actually lay up to fifty eggs. Usually, silverfish lay their eggs in dark cracks and crevices along in areas that are of high humidity. It takes at least an entire year for the development of a silverfish and once they reach full maturity, silverfish are able to live up to eight years if all environmental conditions are well fit for their survival. Silverfish undergo a simple metamorphosis which means that they simply molt as they grow and do not actually undergo the different stages of development. The silverfish bug will shed its skin many times throughout its lifetime and the young silverfish will change colors from a dark blackish brown to brown and ultimately to a silver color. A good way to find concentrated areas of infestation is to look for their dead and shed skin.

Although silverfish are not harmful to people and animals as far as health risks are involved, they can be a huge nuisance pest and will cause havoc around the household, mainly due to their almost unlimited diet. Silverfish are known to eat just about anything. Their diets include dead hair and skin, glue, paper, clothing, and will also eat human food supplies.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

There are several prerequisite steps to use before applications of pesticides are used to treat for silverfish infestations. Clutters of papers and other materials along with clutters of food items should be eliminated. Regularly dust rooms and keep sanitation as a regular maintenance discipline. Clutters of items, stacked boxes and paper, and etc. can support infestations from thriving; therefore, it is important to get rid of these materials. Also, relative humidity should be kept at a minimum. Silverfish are attracted to dark areas that are high in moisture and humidity. Also, practice exclusion to get rid of silverfish inside your house. If you are able to find their entrance location and their preferred area of the house where they thrive, treat and enclose these areas. Seal all cracks and crevices as well as all potential entry points.

Chemical control involves using poison baits in the form of a place pack as well as a residual spray. Springtails lay eggs in cracks and crevices in basements, under bathroom fixtures, in wooden cabinets, and around steam or water pipes. Dust insecticides are particularly effective for wall void treatment and areas that are restricted like behind furniture or baseboards, in the crawlspaces, attics, and etc.

Silverfish Bug Control Products

• Liquid Concentrated Insecticides
  Liquid insecticides (such as Cyonara 9.7) can be used as a perimeter treatment for silverfish.
• Silverfish Aerosol Sprays
  Residual sprays (such as D-Force HPX) can be used for cracks and crevices along with walls and floor areas.
• Silverfish Poison Baits
  Poison baits such as Niban, Intice and Dekko Silverfish Paks are designed to attract and poison silverfish. These baits are great add-ons when using other liquid spray insecticides.
• Powder & Dust Form Insecticides
  Among the many presented below, Delta Dust and Eco Exempt D Dust are recommended for silverfish control due to their residual effect. Dust and powder form insecticides can be used for cracks and crevices.
• Insect Glue Traps
  Simple as set and forget. Leave an insect glue trap behind and trap your silverfish problems.
• Silverfish Control Kit
  Use our professionally made control kits assembled specifically for silverfish control.

All product labels must thoroughly be reviewed before the insecticides are applied. Call a Pest Mall technician to receive a better diagnosis and treatment plan at 1-800-788-4142.