INTRODUCTION TO SILVERFISH
Capable of thriving in most climates, silverfish prefer to dwell in dark, damp areas such as garages, closets, attics, kitchens and bathrooms. They are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing. Commonly found in stored boxes in garages and sheds.
BIOLOGY & HABITS
Female silverfish lay about 1-3 eggs per day, placing them in cracks, under objects, or left exposed. Each egg requires 72-90°F and at least 50-75% relative humidity to hatch. Developmental time (egg to adult) is 3-4 months under favorable conditions, but may require up to 2-3 years. If the population is left uncontrolled, individuals can live up to 3 years. The most favorable conditions for silverfish are 72-80°F, making them ideal indoor pests.
Silverfish species hide during the day and prefer to hide or rest in tight cracks or crevices. They can be found almost anywhere in a house including living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, attics, and garages. Silverfish infest commercial structures such as offices, stores, and libraries. They tend to roam quite some distance while searching for food, but once they find a satisfactory food source, they remain close to it. Within structures, they can be breeding in a variety of areas, including wall voids, in/under the subflooring, attics, etc. Silverfish can survive for weeks without food or water.
Many species of silverfish are good climbers. Shake roofs are excellent breeding sites for silverfish during the warm weather months. Here, there is an abundance of moisture, cellulose, starch, and dead insects. From here, they can easily gain entrance and move down through the insulation to the sheetrock board with its glue and paper coating below. People notice them when they come down on ceiling soffits and/or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures in the ceiling.
They prefer proteins to carbohydrates and are cannibalistic. Silverfish are often introduced into buildings via cardboard cartons of books and papers from an infested location. They are pests of paper, particularly of glazed paper and paper with sizing, wallpaper and wallpaper paste, book bindings, gummed labels and envelopes, etc.
CLEMENTS APPROACH TO CONTROL
Identification of Habitat: Its best to locate the areas where silverfish are foraging, feeding, and laying eggs. This is often found in bathrooms, kitchens and closets.
Habitat Modification: Once the habitat is identified, it’s important to modify the environmental by reducing moisture levels, removing paper items (wrapping paper, boxes, etc.)
Pesticide Applications: In infested areas, recurring liquid insecticide applications are advisable. We focus on interior environments most likely to harbor silverfish eggs, then utilize a “crack & crevice” technique to contain growth in those hard-to-reach areas. We also treat the perimeter of the structure, creating a exterior barrier so that populations living in mulch, flower beds, or on the siding of the structure are eliminated before entering the home.
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