How to Know If They Are in Your Home
photo source: Blake Layton, NCSU.edu
Things Silverfish Damage
Under the right conditions, a large silverfish infestation can damage:
- clothes
- wallpaper
- books
- papers
- boxes
- cereals
- stored foods
What to Look For
Stains & Holes
Silverfish leave yellowish stains on floors, papers, or fabrics. They also chew uneven holes on edges of paper and fabric products.
Feces
The insects also produce visible fecal matter that will be located near many of the potential food sources.
Molting
As the insects grow, they molt and leave behind discarded husks of dead exoskeletons that can accumulate and serve as additional signs of a silverfish infestation.
Since silverfish are not good climbers, they can sometimes be found trapped in sinks or bathtubs when they fall in and cannot get out.
Activity
Nocturnal
Since the creatures hide in dark crevices during the daytime and are only active at night, homeowners should rely on other methods of detection than simply looking for the insects. They evade capture by quickly fleeing when exposed. The elusive nature of the fleet-footed insects often makes silverfish infestations challenging to locate.
Control & Removal
Silverfish can survive for months without food, making it necessary to take an active approach in eradicating the pests. Even though silverfish do not spread diseases or bite people, they can damage property.
Silverfish infestations are rarely a cause for concern, but the presence of a large population of silverfish in the home can be an indication of other, more serious problems.
Moisture
The presence of silverfish often indicates a moisture problem in the house, since the insects thrive in areas with high humidity.
To avoid property damage, silverfish should be eradicated at the first sign of a silverfish infestation.