Silverfish have flat, elongated bodies 1/3 to 3/4 inch long and broad near the head, tapering toward the rear-somewhat “carrot” shaped. These fragile, wingless insects are covered with scales and have two long, slender antennae at the head and three long, antennae-like appendages at the rear. These three appendages, one directed straight back and the other two curving outward, plus the two antennae, are nearly as long as the body. Sometimes these insects are known as “bristletails”. The silverfish adult is about 3/4 inch long with a uniform silvery or pearl-gray color, whereas the four-lined silverfish is about 5/8 inch long and the back displays four dark lines the length of the body.

Life Cycle and Habits:

Silverfish are active at night and hide during the day.  When objects are moved where they are hiding, they dart out and seek hiding places.  The silverfish lives and develops in damp, cool places (prefers 75 to 85 percent relative humidity), often in the basement, bathroom and kitchen.  Large numbers may be found in new buildings where the walls are still damp from plaster and green lumber.  Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives.  These include glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff.  Silverfish can also cause damage to books and tapestries.  Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton).  During famine, a silverfish may even attack leather ware and synthetic fabrics.  Silverfish can live for a year or more without eating.  Silverfish females may lay over 100 eggs during a lifetime.  Eggs are laid single or two to three at a time in small groups, hatching in three to six weeks.  Young silverfish resemble adults except being smaller, white and take on the adult color in four to six weeks.  Adults may live two to eight years.  Silverfish, depending on the species, may reach maturity in three to twenty-four months.  These insects normally hitchhike into the home in food, furniture, old books, paper and old starched clothing.  Populations do not build up fast.  A large infestation in the house usually indicates a longtime infestation. 

Prevention:

Sanitation is important but not entirely effective in reducing populations because insects often reside between wall partitions, in insulation materials, in books and papers, among book shelves and in other protected places.  However, be sure to remove old stacks of newspapers, magazines, papers, books and fabrics plus foodstuffs spilled and stored for long periods of time.  Often reducing available water and lowering the home’s relative humidity with dehumidifiers and fans is helpful.  Repair leaking plumbing and eliminate moisture around laundry areas.  Lighting a dark, sheltered area may force these insects to move to new sites where they can be controlled more easily. Once the infestation has been eliminated, sanitation will help prevent re-infestation.

Insecticides:

Treatments for silverfish control need to be applied to all potential hiding places such as cracks, crevices, inside floor moldings, around steam and water pipes, in and behind seldom moved furniture, closets and even in attics. It may be necessary to drill small holes in the walls to treat large populations in wall voids. Below is a list of products that are labeled for silverfish from dusts, to baits, to insecticides.

Recommended Products:

Baits:                                      Insecticides:                                                                     Wettable Powders:                    Dusts:                     Aerosols:

Intice GranulesÔ                    Bifen I/T                 TempoÒSC             Viper                       Demon W/PÒ                         BorActinÔ             InvaderÒ

Silverfish Paks                        SuspendÒ SC          DemonÒ Max         DemandÒ CS          Cyper W/PÒ                           Delta DustÒ           P.I.

NiBan FGÔ                           CynoffÒ EC           OnslaughtÒ             Conquer®               TempoÒ W/P                                                         CB-80Ô

MaxForce GranulesÒ             Cyonara 9.7            Cy-Kick CSÒ                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Guarantee:

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