Silverfish

(Four-lined Silverfish, Gray Silverfish, Firebrat)

Silverfish can become a severe pest problem when they invade your home. Silverfish is a common name for an insect that is carrot or fish- shaped and their bodies are covered with silvery scales, thus their name. They are found throughout the world.

Silverfish, Four-lined Silverfish, Gray Silverfish, Firebrat HOW TO IDENTIFY SILVERFISH

The adult size of silverfish is about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and about 1/8" wide at the head tapering to the rear. The three long, slender appendages that are found at the rear of the body gives rise to its other common name of "Bristle tails". They are silver to gun-metal color and one species has 4 dark lines running its entire body. One would find silverfish in attics, closets, and sometimes in bathtubs or sinks where they fall from the ceiling, electrical and plumbing fixtures into the tubs and sinks and cannot climb out.

THE BIOLOGY OF SILVERFISH

The Silverfish can be an outside pest or transported into the structure in cardboard boxes and books.

The silverfish lays 1 to 3 eggs per day or close to 1,000 per year. She places these eggs in cracks and crevices, under objects and sometimes, just leaves them exposed.

They need heat (72 to 90 degrees) and moisture (relative humidity of 50 to 75%) to hatch. It takes 3 to 4 months from hatching to adulthood. Most silverfish can live up to 3 years.

THE HABITS OF SILVERFISH

Usually silverfish like to hide during the day but their activity increases during the evening and night.

They rest in cracks and crevices in skylights, under insulation, near roof rafters and the plywood roof. They will also hide in cardboard boxes stored in attics.

They will roam a fairly large distance to find food. Once found, silverfish tend to stay near their food source. They can be found almost anywhere in the home, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, closets, storage areas and attics.

Silverfish can survive in very hot attics and can go weeks without water and food. They are very adaptable.

Silverfish can damage paper, books, cardboard boxes, wallpaper, and wallpaper paste. Some silverfish like the 4-lined silverfish can be found outdoors under wood shingles and along the foundation in flowers and shrubbery mulch.

WHERE DO THE CUSTOMERS SEE SILVERFISH?

Silverfish are first seen in bathroom tubs, showers and sinks. They usually fall from the skylights and light fixtures that are in the ceiling.

Once the silverfish are in the attic, they find cracks and crevices around the skylights or light fixtures and then fall into these areas and cannot get out. Usually, these are the first sightings especially in the spring and summer.

In the late fall and especially at Christmas time when homeowners are taking decorations from the boxes in the attic, they can find silverfish which represents a clear indication of a silverfish infestation.

FEEDING PREFERENCES OF SILVERFISH

Silverfish can be found almost anywhere inside the house but usually they are close to a food source.

They prefer foods containing proteins and carbohydrates like flour, starch, paper, sugar, dead insects, glue and paste.

Once inside, they can feed on a variety of fabrics eating out large holes opposed to small holes typical of the clothes moths.

These fabrics can be natural fibers like cotton, wool and silk or synthetic fibers like rayon.

Ways to limit Silverfish infestations:

When receiving items, check cardboard boxes
When receiving old stored books, vacuum all bindings
Store all items in attics and storage areas in tight plastic containers
All important linens, cottons, rayon and artificial silks, in sealed containers
Seek Professional assistance and a pest prevention program, such as Pest Prevention Plus

Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Silverfish problem:

Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. This is especially true with this pest since some materials work much better than others.
The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem fast for you. Usual critical areas would be the attic areas, basements, lower levels, crawlspaces, and outside areas. Since Silverfish can infest mulch areas, it may be necessary to treat these areas to give the best protection. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations.
The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that gives easy access of the Silverfish to your property by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or food sources that would be attractive to the Silverfish or the environment inside and outside.
The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property. Our exclusive
The Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation. As always our Unlimited extra service is at no charge.

Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus.

Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.


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HOW TO IDENTIFY SILVERFISH The adult size of silverfish is about 1/2 to 3/4 inches long and about 1/8" wide at the head tapering to the rear. The three long, slender appendages that are found at the rear of the body gives rise to its other common name of "Bristle tails". They are silver to gun-metal color and one species has 4 dark lines running its entire body. One would find silverfish in attics, closets, and sometimes in bathtubs or sinks where they fall from the ceiling, electrical and plumbing fixtures into the tubs and sinks and cannot climb out. THE BIOLOGY OF SILVERFISH The Silverfish can be an outside pest or transported into the structure in cardboard boxes and books. The silverfish lays 1 to 3 eggs per day or close to 1,000 per year. She places these eggs in cracks and crevices, under objects and sometimes, just leaves them exposed. They need heat (72 to 90 degrees) and moisture (relative humidity of 50 to 75%) to hatch. It takes 3 to 4 months from hatching to adulthood. Most silverfish can live up to 3 years. THE HABITS OF SILVERFISH Usually silverfish like to hide during the day but their activity increases during the evening and night. They rest in cracks and crevices in skylights, under insulation, near roof rafters and the plywood roof. They will also hide in cardboard boxes stored in attics. They will roam a fairly large distance to find food. Once found, silverfish tend to stay near their food source. They can be found almost anywhere in the home, bathrooms, kitchen, bedrooms, closets, storage areas and attics. Silverfish can survive in very hot attics and can go weeks without water and food. They are very adaptable. Silverfish can damage paper, books, cardboard boxes, wallpaper, and wallpaper paste. Some silverfish like the 4-lined silverfish can be found outdoors under wood shingles and along the foundation in flowers and shrubbery mulch. WHERE DO THE CUSTOMERS SEE SILVERFISH? Silverfish are first seen in bathroom tubs, showers and sinks. They usually fall from the skylights and light fixtures that are in the ceiling. Once the silverfish are in the attic, they find cracks and crevices around the skylights or light fixtures and then fall into these areas and cannot get out. Usually, these are the first sightings especially in the spring and summer. In the late fall and especially at Christmas time when homeowners are taking decorations from the boxes in the attic, they can find silverfish which represents a clear indication of a silverfish infestation. FEEDING PREFERENCES OF SILVERFISH Silverfish can be found almost anywhere inside the house but usually they are close to a food source. They prefer foods containing proteins and carbohydrates like flour, starch, paper, sugar, dead insects, glue and paste. Once inside, they can feed on a variety of fabrics eating out large holes opposed to small holes typical of the clothes moths. These fabrics can be natural fibers like cotton, wool and silk or synthetic fibers like rayon. Ways to limit Silverfish infestations: When receiving items, check cardboard boxes When receiving old stored books, vacuum all bindings Store all items in attics and storage areas in tight plastic containers All important linens, cottons, rayon and artificial silks, in sealed containers Seek Professional assistance and a pest prevention program, such as Pest Prevention Plus Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Silverfish problem: Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. This is especially true with this pest since some materials work much better than others. The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem fast for you. Usual critical areas would be the attic areas, basements, lower levels, crawlspaces, and outside areas. Since Silverfish can infest mulch areas, it may be necessary to treat these areas to give the best protection. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that gives easy access of the Silverfish to your property by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or food sources that would be attractive to the Silverfish or the environment inside and outside. The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property. Our exclusive The Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation. As always our Unlimited extra service is at no charge. Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus. Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.