Silverfish Infestations: Causes, Signs, and Solutions

The History of Silverfish

Would you be shocked to find out that these insects have been tormenting people for more than 400 million years? They’ve been around since before the dinosaurs, and entomologists say they’re the same today as they were back then. One thing that made these insects last through the ages is their hardy nature.

They’re small but mighty, as they can go for up to six months without food or water. All they need is one another, as they’re social critters. Their technical name is Lepisma saccharina, which was given to them for their primal appearance.

The lean insect is often said to have a carrot-shaped body because their head is round and pointed, and their body is rather slim. Silverfish are always a variation of the color gray, and the scales on their body give them this hue. The rankings are much like a fish, but they’re related to the lobster not the trout in the local lake.

Ironically, they were called “fish” because they wiggle in a similar pattern when they move about, so the name silverfish seemed appropriate.

What Causes Silverfish in Your Home?

Why are silverfish coming into your home? Is there something you’ve done to draw these creatures, or is it your home that’s so alluring to them? First and foremost, the thing that attracts these bugs is moisture. If you have silverfish, chances are you probably have excessive humidity, too.

Silverfish are very picky about the temperature of their dwellings. While they can survive in harsh climates, they thrive when the thermometer is between 71° to 90°F. Even if your home isn’t the perfect place for them to dwell, the living conditions outside your abode may be ideal.

Do you have soil that doesn’t aerate properly, or is there standing water in ditches that draw things like mosquitoes and other pests? You can have excessive moisture on the outside that can bring them to the inside. Silverfish love dark places to hide. They want to be out of sight, so they look for cracks and crevasses to stay out of your way.

You will likely see these insects in bathrooms and basements, as the darkness of these areas is hard to resist. Silverfish are naturally nocturnal, so they feel the most comfortable in the darkness. Another thing to be wary of is easy access points. How easy is it for insects and bugs to get inside your home?

Do you have problems with mice, rats, roaches, ants, and other things that scurry around you? Any spaces that allow insects to get into your space will draw things like silverfish. You must consider that you can bring them in with you, too, and this is especially true if you buy books from an antique store where the pages are aged and have lots of starch for them to devour.

Once you bring some silverfish into the home through whatever means, eliminating them will take a lot of work. Do you have a library or lots of books? Are there large walk-in closets with many clothes for them to munch on? Since silverfish aren’t invasive, simply fixing these issues can help to send them on their way.

Silverfish won’t hang around a place where they can’t get food and water. Rather than think of these pests as a nuisance, why not consider them a warning sign of danger? Silverfish dwell in areas with leaky pipes, rotten wood, and dampness, which are prime conditions for mold growth. So, this can help you to find out why they’re there and eradicate the problem before it becomes even costlier to fix.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Since silverfish tend to make themselves scarce, how do you know if you have an infestation if you don’t see them. The first sign of a problem is live bugs, but here are some other indications that you have an issue.

1. Droppings

Most critters leave droppings behind, and the silverfish are no different. Their fecal matter looks like small black ovals. They leave their deposits in the places they frequent, as they have little control over their bowel movements.

It’s very challenging to see these droppings unless you’re looking for them, as some say they look like an accumulation of dust.

2. Discarded Skins

Molting is a normal part of some bugs, and silverfish are no different. If you have an issue in your home with these pests, you’ll likely see castings from their skin in the infected areas. The skin can be clear to a gray color and will be in the same shape as the insect. During the molting process, the insect leaves residue, which can be observed in the area.

3. Eggs

Like most insects, silverfish lay eggs. The eggs are oval, and they’re a bright white color. These eggs are small, only 1 mm, so it’s hard to see them unless you’re looking. Another problem that makes their eggs so challenging to find is they lay them in hidden places to protect their offspring.

The eggs might be on your clothes or in the cracks of the walls. Silverfish lay sacks that can hold 50-200 eggs, but you may need a magnifying glass to see them.

4. Damage

You might see damage on book pages or your clothing when silverfish are in the home. They chew on these fabrics to harvest the cellulose out of them. Cotton fibers are their favorite, and chewing is hard to deny once you see it.

Solutions for Your Pest Control Issue

Silverfish are harmless to you, but they can damage your personal belongings. You don’t have to worry about structural damage, but it doesn’t mean you can’t run up a hefty bill regarding everything they destroy. Often, the presence of silverfish indicates you have a moisture issue.

While you can expect moisture in the bathroom or kitchen, something like a leaking pipe can also add to the problem. When you see silverfish, you should do some investigative work to see what’s causing these pests in your home. As always, you can call your friendly exterminator in New Jersey to help you get to the bottom of the infestation.

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