Silverfish

Silverfish prefer a dark, moist environment and require a large supply of starchy foods or molds. Silverfish are considered to be nuisance pests that can feed on wallpaper pastes, natural textiles, books, and papers. Silverfish also feed on mold or fungi that can grow on various surfaces.

They are fast-moving and can travel throughout buildings. Once silverfish find a good source of food, however, they stay close to it. Silverfish go through only a three stage life cycle called gradual metamorphosis, while many insects have a four stage life cycle (complete metamorphosis). Silverfish may lay eggs at any time during the year, and take 19-43 days to hatch. The life cycle from silverfish egg to adult is three to four months.

They prefer humid areas (75 to 97% humidity), like bathrooms and moderate temperatures (70o to 80o F).

Silverfish are found in basements, kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, in bookcases, on closet shelves, behind baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames, wall voids, and sub-floor areas. Silverfish are active at night or are active in dark places found throughout the structure. Silverfish can be a problem year round.

Attics are a favorite place for silverfish due to the abundant food sources due to the recycled blown in paper insulation and storage boxes. You may see silverfish trapped in sinks and bathtubs because they enter seeking moisture and are unable to climb a slick vertical surface to escape.

Silverfish diets are high in protein, sugar, or starch, including cereals, moist wheat flour, starch in book bindings, and paper on which there is glue or paste. Silverfish can damage book bindings, wallpaper, paper goods and dry foods. They may eat holes, irregular shaped in the wallpaper to get to the paste. Silverfish may bite very small holes in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk, even though they cannot digest either linen or cotton.

APPEARANCE

Silverfish is about 1/2 inch long, with a uniform silvery color over the upper surface, whereas the four-lined silverfish is about 5/8 inch long and the back displays four dark lines the length of the body. The gray silverfish is about 3/4 inch long and uniform light to dark gray. Their bodies are long and slender, flattened. The bodies are broad at the front, and gradually tapering toward the rear. They can be found almost anywhere, but prefer damp, moderate temperature places such as basements, laundry rooms, and under sinks.

SILVERFISH CONTROL

Sources of any undue moisture, such as faulty plumbing or condensation that provide the humidity favored by these pests should be eliminated.

Dehumidifying reduces the moisture content of the air that these insects find essential. Some methods for dehumidifying include: mend leaking pipes, ventilate closed rooms and attics, eliminate standing water, and use a dehumidifier an air conditioner. Use silica gel which acts like a desiccant such as DRIONE DUST.

1. Regularly vacuuming cracks and crevices with a narrow vacuum tip also can be a good method to physically remove these insects from their harborages.
2. Removal of food sources , stored in tight containers.
3. If you have a problem of silverfish inside your home, a good residual perimeter treatment of: Cyonara 9.7, Demon WP / Cynoff WP  insecticide Deltagard G or Talstar EZ

These residual insecticides, sprayed around entry points and foundation of the house would be the first step. Spray along the foundational wall, with a two or three foot band. Cyonara 9.7, Demon WP / Cynoff WP or Deltagard G or Talstar EZ : last for two to three months. All these products are odorless. The wettable powder (WP) formulation in the Demon WP and Cynoff WP will leave a slight film that can be seen against dark surfaces. The Cyonara 9.7, Talstar EZ or Deltagard G do not leave a film.

However if you have a more severe problem with silverfish , look into stored boxes and the insulation in your attic. It is best to dust or bait these areas for greater control. When you use baits or dusts, you do want to get it as close as possible to their habitats to be effective.

You never want to bait and dust in areas that are visible.

Dust needs to be in hidden areas such as :
Attics-Insulation
Behind Refrigerators and Ovens
Boxes
Light fixtures
Electrical outlets
Under siding