Silverfish are wingless, are 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches long, are silver in color with three distinct lengthwise stripes on each side of their bodies. The head is covered by a plate extending back over the body. They have two compound eyes and short antennae at the tips of their abdomens and chew small round holes through wallpaper and book bindings. Silverfish are scavengers living on materials high in protein, such as glue and hair; they prefer moist environments with a relative humidity of 70% or greater.
SIlverfish Habitat
As their name implies, silverfish love to live in warm, humid areas such as bathrooms and laundry rooms. They often hide behind baseboards, moldings, and ledges. In homes with crawl spaces or unfinished basements, silverfish may be found in the upper corners of the basement where there is a source of moisture from seeping water pipes, air conditioning condensate, dehumidifiers, and leaking water heaters. Silverfish can also flourish in damp crawl spaces, cracks between masonry bricks and concrete foundations, under moist carpeting or rugs, and anywhere insulation material has become wet. Areas, where spilled liquids such as soft drinks have been left undisturbed for a long time, are favorite hiding places. Silverfish may also be seen in bookstores, libraries, and homes where there are stacks of newspapers or magazines for their scavenging pleasure.
Silverfish Diet
Silverfish feed on a wide variety of items including wallpaper paste, glues found in book bindings, sizing in paper products, cereals, starches and sugar. Silverfish can live without food for several months if they have sufficient moisture but will die within one week of water deprivation.
Silverfish Prevention
To prevent silverfish from entering your home, seal any cracks or crevices around doors and windows and around pipes and ducts that enter the home. Caulk openings on the exterior of the building’s foundation and other places where utilities enter through walls, ceilings, or floors. Make sure attic vents are covered with ½ inch wire mesh screen or use caulk to seal the vents. Clean up any spills in cabinets and closets; remove piles of newspapers, paper bags, boxes, lint, etc.
Contact Us
If you find any Centipedes in your Charlotte County home, contact Bug Off Pest If you find any Silverfish in your Charlotte County home, contact Bug Off Pest Charlotte immediately. We can help rid you of these garden pests and get your lawn or yard back to normal! As always, we are happy to answer any questions you may have about Silverfish or any other pest. Call us today 941-676-2005
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5945 Parada St, Punta Gorda, FL 33982, United States
