Silverfish, with their silvery sheen and nocturnal movements, often go unnoticed by property owners until they discover unexplained holes in photographs, books, or items of clothing. These unassuming creatures can cause damage to property as they munch through starchy items or those containing cellulose like wallpaper, plaster, paintings, books, and damp clothing. They love dark, damp, and humid areas, so bathrooms, cellars, cloakrooms, basements, and utility rooms are the areas in a home they are commonly found in.
What do silverfish look like?
Measuring just 10-12 millimetres in length, the silverfish resembles a tiny silver torpedo in its shape. Close-up the wingless silverfish can be seen to have very tiny scales and two antennae, but it is their shape that makes them resemble a fish which gave them their name. Silverfish venture indoors seeking warmth, moisture, and shelter with their activity peaking as homes transition into the cooler seasons.
What do silverfish eat?
While silverfish themselves are not dangerous, they can become a major inconvenience because of their appetite for starch and cellulose, and a common sign of the presence of silverfish to watch out for is finding unexplained holes in books or items of clothing. Books, paintings, and photographs are all edible to the silverfish.
Are Silverfish dangerous?
Silverfish are not dangerous so much as they are inconvenient. Their shedding or molting of their skin throughout adulthood can cause allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to skin irritation.
The battle plan to prevent a silverfish invasion
Prevention is the best tactic against silverfish. It’s about denying these pests the essentials they crave: humidity, darkness, and their favourite foods. Here’s how you can start building a tactical position against a silverfish invasion:
- Seal your staples: Remember to store dry foods such as grains and cereals in airtight containers.
- Crack the solution: Use sealants to fill cracks and crevices in walls that might act as miniature highways for silverfish.
- Clean combat: A regular cleaning regime that targets dust and food debris makes your home less hospitable for silverfish.
- Ventilation: a well-ventilated property will prevent the humid conditions in which silverfish thrive, so open windows when possible.
Beyond the basics – to an infestation.
For those already in the thick of an infestation of these insects, more aggressive pest prevention will be needed to get rid of the silverfish invasion.
How do silverfish breed?
Depending on the species of silverfish they may lay a few eggs each day or a cluster of two to 20 eggs. These eggs can be elusive as they are typically nestled in cracks or hidden crevices in walls, around window frames, and doors.
Chemical remedies like sprays and traps may offer some reprieve, but an expert touch is usually the best bet to eradicate an infestation completely.
If you have detected silverfish activity in your home, and require the services of a pest control specialist to deal with the infestation, our Rentokil Pest Control team can help to find, and eradicate the problem.
