Silverfish

What do silverfish look like?

Silverfish are unique-looking pests that get their name from their silvery color and fish-like movements. These insects are about three-quarters of an inch long, with a set of long, thin antennae and three bristle-like appendages that stick off their hind end. Their bodies are flat, carrot-shaped, and covered in scales, which adds to their fish-like appearance.

What do silverfish eat?

Silverfish prefer proteins. They like to eat meat, such as dried beef, as well as dead or injured insects, including their own kind. Silverfish will also eat carbohydrates, such as oats and flour. Some non-food items that silverfish eat include glue, paper, and clothing. When they get into your house, paper products are the most common food source for these pests.

Although they require a highly humid environment to survive, silverfish can go several weeks without food or drink.

Are silverfish harmful to humans or pets?

Silverfish are nuisance pests. They aren’t known to spread diseases to humans or pets and they don’t bite, so you don’t need to worry about them harming you, your family, or your pets.

Do silverfish cause damage to homes?

Although they aren’t harmful to your health, silverfish can cause damage around your home. Thankfully, they don’t cause structural damage, so you don’t have to worry about your home becoming unsafe, but they do cause personal property damage. 

Silverfish often infest books, wallpaper, and other paper-based items and will damage the items they infest. They may also feed on your clothing and items in your pantry, leading to damage and contamination.

How do silverfish get into homes?

Silverfish are often brought into homes in items that are already infested. For example, if you bring home a box of books you bought at a library sale, you may inadvertently bring home silverfish as well. 

This isn’t the only way that silverfish get inside, though. They can also come inside on their own, especially if conditions outdoors necessitate a change in habitat. Silverfish may come inside looking for food or shelter. They can access the inside of your house by finding small gaps or openings around the exterior of your home.

Why are there silverfish in my bathroom or basement?

When silverfish get inside your house, they will look for the area that provides them with the most moisture. They need a lot of humidity to survive, so they are most often found in bathrooms, basements, attics, and other humid areas of a home.

What are signs of a silverfish infestation?

If silverfish get into your house, you may not notice it right away, especially if they nest in an out-of-the-way location like the attic. However, eventually you’ll likely see signs of their presence. These signs include:

• Seeing the pests themselves.
• Finding irregular feeding marks on items silverfish like, such as the pages of books.
• Finding yellow stains or pepper-like droppings on infested items.
• Seeing shed silverfish skins or scales.

How can I get rid of silverfish?

If you have reason to believe that silverfish have gotten into your house, getting pest control from a professional pest control company like The Pied Piper is the best choice to eliminate the problem fully. A silverfish infestation can grow rather large and widespread, so having an experienced professional who can identify the location of the infestation and make sure it’s completely resolved will save you from a recurrence, which saves you time and money in the long run.

How can I prevent silverfish from coming back?

There are several things you can do to prevent a silverfish infestation in your home. By eliminating the things that attract silverfish, you’ll make it less likely that these pests will end up in your home. Try these silverfish prevention tips:

• Move items that are stored around the exterior of your house.
• Seal all cracks, gaps, and holes that might allow silverfish to get inside your house.
• Reduce moisture around your yard, especially around the perimeter of your house.
• Do not store books, magazines, or other paper products in highly humid areas, like basements or attics.
• Store pantry items in sealed containers.
• Use dehumidifiers in your house to reduce moisture.
• Address water leaks immediately and replace water-damaged wood.
• Inspect items before they come into your house to make sure they’re not infested.
• Contact The Pied Piper if you have concerns about silverfish in or around your house.

For silverfish and other pest control that eliminates and prevents pests, get in touch with The Pied Piper. We provide routine, customized services to meet your unique pest control needs.