What are Silverfish?

Silverfish

Silverfish are small, wingless insects belonging to the order Zygentoma, known for their distinctive appearance and behavior. With teardrop-shaped bodies covered in scales that lend a silvery or grayish sheen, silverfish move in a characteristic wiggling, fish-like manner. They possess two long antennae for sensory perception and are nocturnal, preferring dark and damp environments. These scavengers feed on materials rich in starch, sugars, and proteins, such as paper, cardboard, and textiles. While not harmful to humans in terms of biting or transmitting diseases, their feeding habits can lead to damage of items like books and clothing.

What Kinds of Silverfish Are There?

Common Silverfish

This species is often encountered in homes and is known for its silvery-gray color and carrot-shaped body. Common silverfish are nocturnal and feed on a variety of materials, including paper, cardboard, glue, and textiles.

‍

Gray Silverfish

Also known as the long-tailed silverfish, this species is similar in appearance to the common silverfish but has a longer and more slender body. Gray silverfish are also active at night and prefer humid environments.

‍

Four-lined Silverfish

Four-lined Silverfish(Ctenolepisma quadriseriata) have 4 distinct lines across their back either vertically or horizontally.

‍

Why Do You Get Silverfish In Your Home?

Silverfish are attracted to homes for various reasons, and understanding these factors can help in preventing and managing infestations. Here are common reasons why silverfish may enter and thrive in homes:

‍

High Humidity:

Silverfish are highly attracted to moisture, and environments with high humidity levels create favorable conditions for them. Areas like basements, bathrooms, and kitchens, where humidity tends to be higher, are particularly appealing to silverfish.

‍

Food Sources:

Silverfish feed on materials rich in starch, sugars, and proteins. Items like paper, cardboard, glue, textiles, and even certain types of food can serve as food sources. They are often found in areas where such materials are present.

‍

Warmth:

Silverfish are cold-blooded insects, and they seek warm environments. Homes with a stable temperature provide a comfortable habitat for them, especially during colder seasons.

‍

Accessible Entry Points:

Silverfish can enter homes through small cracks, gaps, and openings in the exterior, such as around windows, doors, utility lines, and vents. Poorly sealed entry points make it easier for them to access indoor spaces.

‍

Outdoor Vegetation:

‍ If there are outdoor plants or vegetation in close proximity to the home, silverfish may use them as hiding spots and inadvertently make their way indoors.

‍

Infested Items:

Silverfish can be introduced into homes through infested items such as books, newspapers, cardboard boxes, and second-hand furniture.

‍

How Do You Get Rid Of Silverfish From Your Home?

‍

Reduce Humidity:

Silverfish are attracted to high humidity. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms to reduce moisture levels.
Ensure proper ventilation in areas prone to humidity.

‍

Seal Entry Points:

Inspect and seal any cracks, gaps, or openings in the exterior of your home, especially around windows, doors, utility lines, and vents.
Use weather stripping on doors and windows to prevent silverfish from entering.

‍

Remove Food Sources:

Store food items in airtight containers to eliminate potential food sources for silverfish.
Declutter areas where silverfish may find hiding spots, such as piles of papers, cardboard boxes, or old clothing.

‍

Clean and Declutter:

Regularly vacuum and clean areas where silverfish are likely to hide.
Remove old papers, books, and cardboard from storage areas.
Keep closets and storage spaces organized.

‍

Natural Repellents:

Use natural repellents such as cedar or sachets of dried herbs like lavender in areas where silverfish are commonly found.
Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in cracks and crevices as a desiccant to help control silverfish.

‍

Insecticides:

Apply residual insecticides in cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots. Choose insecticides labeled for silverfish control.
Consider using boric acid in powder form, applied in areas where silverfish are present. Be cautious and follow product instructions.

‍

Professional Pest Control:

If the infestation persists or is severe, consider seeking professional pest control services.
Alta Pest control can assess the situation and provide targeted solutions based on the specific conditions of your home.

‍

Are Silverfish Harmful?

While silverfish do not pose a significant health risk to humans, their presence can exacerbate existing respiratory conditions such as asthma and allergies. Additionally, silverfish may carry bacteria and other pathogens that can lead to illness if they come into contact with food or other surfaces in the home.

‍

To minimize health risks associated with silverfish infestations, it's important to keep your home clean and dry and address any infestations promptly. If you have respiratory issues or are otherwise sensitive to pests, consider seeking professional pest control services to ensure that your home is free from pests and potential health risks.

‍

Silverfish FAQs

Are Silverfish Dangerous?

Silverfish do not pose immediate health dangers to most people. They are not venomous, do not have pincers or stingers, and they cannot even bite you or your pets. But that does not mean they are totally harmless.

Allergic reactions: Silverfish scales produce a natural, dusty protein that can drift into the air wherever they are in large numbers. People with dust allergies could experience respiratory difficulties if a silverfish infestation gets out of control.
Foodborne illnesses: Dry foods and carbohydrates are staples of a silverfish diet, so they might try to sneak into your stores of sugar, coffee, bread, and so on. As with any pest infestation, if your food gets contaminated by a silverfish, then its droppings could make you sick.
Document destruction: Some archivists and librarians call silverfish “book banes” because these creepy little insects love to eat pages, photographs, and basically any other type of paper document. Severe infestations might even cause the rapidly-breeding silverfish population to look for another plentiful food source: your home’s wallpaper.

‍

Are Silverfish Bad?

Silverfish are generally considered nuisance pests, causing more inconvenience than harm. While they don't pose a direct threat to human health, their presence in homes can lead to undesirable outcomes. Feeding on materials like paper, cardboard, textiles, and certain foods, silverfish can cause damage to items within households. Additionally, their distinctive appearance and wiggling movements may evoke discomfort or fear in some individuals. If not addressed, silverfish populations can grow, leading to infestations and exacerbating the damage they cause. While allergic reactions to silverfish are rare, some individuals may experience mild skin irritation due to proteins found in silverfish scales.

Where Will I Find Silverfish?

Bathrooms: Silverfish are attracted to the high humidity levels found in bathrooms. They may hide in cracks, crevices, and behind baseboards.

‍

Kitchens: Kitchens offer a variety of food sources for silverfish, including grains, cereals, and other starchy items. They may be found in pantry areas or around stored food.

‍

Basements: The damp and dark environment of basements is ideal for silverfish. They may hide in cardboard boxes, stored papers, or other materials.

‍

Crawl Spaces: Silverfish can thrive in crawl spaces, especially if they are damp or have organic debris.

‍

Laundry Rooms: The warmth and humidity associated with laundry rooms make them attractive to silverfish. They may hide in piles of laundry or around water heaters.

‍

Bookshelves and Libraries: Silverfish are known to feed on paper and book bindings, making bookshelves and libraries potential habitats.

‍

Attics: In attics, silverfish may hide in stored items, insulation, or other materials.

‍

Closets: Silverfish may be found in closets where clothing and textiles provide potential food sources.

‍

Wall Voids: Silverfish can hide in cracks and voids in walls, especially if they are near areas with food sources or moisture.

‍

Outdoor Areas: Silverfish may be present in outdoor areas close to the home, especially if there is outdoor vegetation or debris.

How Do I Get Rid Of Silverfish?

Reduce Humidity:

Silverfish are attracted to high humidity. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas like basements and bathrooms to reduce moisture levels.
Ensure proper ventilation in areas prone to humidity.

‍

Seal Entry Points:

Inspect and seal any cracks, gaps, or openings in the exterior of your home, especially around windows, doors, utility lines, and vents.
Use weather stripping on doors and windows to prevent silverfish from entering.

‍

Remove Food Sources:

Store food items in airtight containers to eliminate potential food sources for silverfish.
Declutter areas where silverfish may find hiding spots, such as piles of papers, cardboard boxes, or old clothing.

‍

Clean and Declutter:

Regularly vacuum and clean areas where silverfish are likely to hide.
Remove old papers, books, and cardboard from storage areas.
Keep closets and storage spaces organized.

‍

Natural Repellents:

Use natural repellents such as cedar or sachets of dried herbs like lavender in areas where silverfish are commonly found.
Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled in cracks and crevices as a desiccant to help control silverfish.

‍

Insecticides:

Apply residual insecticides in cracks, crevices, and other hiding spots. Choose insecticides labeled for silverfish control.
Consider using boric acid in powder form, applied in areas where silverfish are present. Be cautious and follow product instructions.

‍

Professional Pest Control:

If the infestation persists or is severe, consider seeking professional pest control services.
Pest control professionals can assess the situation and provide targeted solutions based on the specific conditions of your home.

‍

Will Silverfish Bite You?

While silverfish are not harmful in the sense of biting or causing health issues to humans, they can be considered pests due to their feeding habits. Their presence in homes may lead to damage of certain items, such as books, documents, and clothing. If you come into contact with a silverfish, it is unlikely to bite or cause any harm to you.

How Alta Pest Control Protects Your Home From Pests

All of our treatment plans are customized to your home and yard. We do this to ensure that you get the exact coverage you need to keep your home safe. All of our technicians and inspectors are experts in their field, so you can be sure that you are getting top-tier protection.

Get A Free Estimate

Inspection

One of our expert technicians will inspect every inch of your home and business for pest activity. Then they will create a custom plan based on their findings.

Initial Service

Once your custom plan is created, we will treat your home and yard to give you immediate relief from pests. Then, we will create a boundary around your property to prevent more pests from entering.

Follow Ups

After the initial service, we will conduct regular maintenance to ensure that your pest problems remain solved. We will also conduct free inspections for problem pests, such as termites.

Alta Guarantee

When it comes to pest control, we put our money where our mouth is. If we treat your home, and you're still seeing pests, we'll come back and retreat for free. We'll always have your back.