The scientific name of silverfish is Lepisma saccharina and it belongs to the orderThysanura. These wingless insects have silver scales on their body and a tapering abdomen. The body of this insect is soft, flattened, and elongated.
They also have three long tail projections and two antennae. They get their name due to the silver scales on their body and their fish-like movements. This small insect is capable of causing a lot of damage to a house, which is why measures should be taken to eliminate them and prevent an infestation.
Since these thrive in a damp environment, make sure that there isn't any leakage in your home. Make sure that your home is well-ventilated. Once these find a place in your house, your wallpaper, books, clothes, and starchy food is no longer safe. Don't be surprised if you see holes in your expensive clothes, wallpaper, and books.
What do Silverfish Eat?
They love carbohydrates, particularly sugars and starches. These can cause a serious damage to wallpapers and tapestries. They feed on polysaccharides; starches and dextrin present in adhesives and glues is their preferred food source.
They can damage the fabrics by leaving holes and yellow stains on them. They are nocturnal and therefore, active during the night.
Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish
Homeowners must never allow them to flourish. Since they grow in humid or damp environment, you need to keep your house well-ventilated. Use dehumidifiers in the basements and attics. Maintaining a hygienic environment will also help.
These nocturnal insects generally come out at nights and feed on the food lying outside. Therefore, storing your food in airtight containers might also help. Another thing you need to do is declutter your home.
Along with these preventive steps, you could also use poisoned baits to locate them. Make a paste using flour and water and apply a very thin coating on both sides of index cards. Once the cards have dried up, place them in the area suspected of being infested.
If they are present in that area, you might see irregular scrapping on the cards. Insecticides could also be used for exterminating them. These are available in the form of dust, sprays, baits, and bombs.
Dust could be put in the crevices and entry points in wall partitions. It might eliminate these bugs in about 2 weeks. Use insecticide bombs in hard-to-reach places. Citrus sprays can also be used to get rid of them.
Since these insects can cause a lot of damage to the household goods, you must take all possible steps to get rid of them. Keep your house dry and free of clutter. If you ever see any signs of damage on your wallpapers and books, follow the aforementioned methods to get rid of them.