A house-dwelling insect, the Lepisma saccharina, more commonly known as the Silverfish or bristletail, derives its name from several characteristics such as its silver/gray exoskeleton and fish-like habit of moving at a rapid pace, interspersed with short intervals of stopping or pausing. The scientific name (Lepisma saccharina) lends itself to the insect's primary diet of sugar and starch-filled items. These guys are addicted to carbs! This species of insect dates back millions of years and tends to have a prehistoric or fossil-like appearance with its long antennae and scale-like exterior.
Considered more of a nuisance than anything else, the presence of one or two silverfish in your home could mean that there are more of them lurking behind the scenes. The biggest complaint of the Silverfish is their destructive feeding habits, often ruining items in the home such as wallpaper, books and magazines, soaps and shampoos, clothes, and much more.
A bit of a sneaky insect, Silverfish are mostly nocturnal and do a great job at hiding. With a high reproduction rate, preventative measures should be taken once you've spotted a silverfish to avoid a full-blown infestation. Drawn to dark areas, the silverfish will make its home behind wallpaper, in dark closets and behind bookshelves, inside the window and door frames, and behind baseboards.
The biggest error that homeowners make is not taking action early on to get rid of these insects, as their hide-and-seek habits can escalate an existing problem. If you have noticed yellow stains on your fabric or small holes in boxes or wallpaper, chances are while you were sleeping these insects were already at work!
As small and harmless looking as they are, the Silverfish can be a tough little insect as it can survive in most environments and go extensive periods without food. Showing a preference for more humid conditions, Silverfish are also somewhat difficult to get rid of as they move around fairly quickly, making their elusive nature quite frustrating to many homeowners. Even though these little guys don't have wings, you'd be surprised at how quickly they appear and reappear in different areas of your home.
Lepisma saccharina (regular Silverfish) is the most common variety, usually measuring up to a ½ inch in length. Their bodies have a consistent silvery sheen with no markings on them. You'll find these guys near areas of high moisture and lower-level spaces such as basements.
Since the Silverfish is somewhat of an elusive creature, more often than not, you'll spy signs of its existence rather than the insect itself. Their feeding habits will leave behind evidence through small holes in your wallpaper or in boxes you may have lying around, or even by yellowish stains on the fabric. You may also notice evidence of their feces, usually mistaken for dust, or through the shedding of their cast skins. If you happen to catch a glimpse of a silverfish, more than likely, you will spot them in areas that are dark or have moisture, such as:
Additionally, items such as boxes, cardboard, or even furniture can be a source for an infestation if either eggs or adult silverfish are attached to these and brought into the home.
Here are some tips to help control the silverfish population in your home:
Hiring a professional to address a silverfish problem is the most effective method, as Do It Yourself solutions such as traps or insecticides only target individual insects and not the potentially larger issue at hand. Since these insects reproduce quickly, eliminating them at their source is important. Your Truly Nolen pest professional can effectively assess the problem with a free inspection and provide solutions for treating both eggs and adult silverfish to prevent future infestations.