No, silverfish are not fish, they’re creepy little insects. Small and wingless with three long bristles extending from the rear. The name common name silverfish is derived from their silvery grey and blue coloring along with the fish like appearance of its movements. Silverfish are teardrop shaped with adults measuring from 12-19 mm in length.
Though silverfish do not carry disease and are not known to bite humans, they are known for their destructive capabilities. Their diet consists of carbohydrates such as sugar and starches. Cellulose, glue in books, wall paper, linen, and carpets may be food sources for silverfish. They have also been discovered in unopened food packages. Silverfish can reproduce quickly and un-noticed. They’re nocturnal insects that hide during the day and forage at night. They’re fast and can scurry into a small crack or crevice quickly when they feel threatened. Silverfish are sneaky and infestations can go unnoticed for a long period of time allowing the infestation to grow unchecked. Silverfish commonly prefer dark, damp areas around a food source such as paper, linen, or carpet. Infestations can be found in kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, basements, or attics.
Though silverfish can survive in almost any climate, they thrive in places high in humidity. Therefore one of the best ways to prevent infestation is to control humidity. As wallpaper, books and carpets are among their food sources, control of food sources may be difficult. Some people have used cinnamon to repel silverfish, but this is limited to the area the cinnamon is applied to and does not eradicate the insect nor control its reproduction. Ridding your home of a silverfish infestation requires treatment for both adult insects and their nests. Silverfish infestations often require professional treatment for full eradication. There are silverfish traps and insecticides on the market, but they only target individual insects and are therefore unlikely to prevent or eradicate an entire silverfish population.
If you suspect a silverfish infestation in your home, please contact our trained Sacramento pest control professionals at 916-457-7605,[email protected]
