Silverfish are amongst the most primitive of all insects. A silver fish is usually a small, wingless insect measuring from 1/2 to 1 inch. Because of its fish like appearance and silver scale it is known as silverfish.
They generally feed on starch or polysaccharide. These consists of glue, sugar, hair, photos, book bindings, dandruff. They are commonly found in showers, baths sinks, etc where they can find cellulose. In buildings, silverfish exist in sufficiently humid, crevice-rich environments. If these conditions are removed, the silverfish will not be able to survive. These insects are wingless, flat insects with two long, slender antennae on the front and three long, slender "bristles" at the rear of a tapered, carrot-shaped body. They are 1/2 inch long when fully grown.
Life Cycle OF Silverfish
A female silverfish lays less than 100 eggs during her lifetime depositing them in damp and warm places such as cracks and crevices or behind skirting boards. The eggs hatch after two to eight weeks depending upon conditions. The lifecycle being completed within three to four months in warm humid conditions, or within two to three years in cooler dryer conditions. Newly hatched insects are about 2mm long and look like miniature adults. They live for between three or four months in warm humid conditions, but for between two and three years in cooler, dryer areas.
Damages Caused By Silverfish
As silverfish are nocturnal and are most active night and Year-round pests and feed on cereals and non-food items such as paste, paper, starch in clothes, rayon fabrics and dried meats. If not even they can go for up to one year without food, which makes us more difficult to control the infestation. Still we can avoid them by following some methods like eliminating moisture and regular vacuuming. But use sprays, dusts, or baits if conditions are alarming. Treat cracks, crevices, wall voids and other likely hiding spots in the areas where the pests are noticed .
Control & Prevention Tips
We can prevent silverfish by following some useful tips.
- Seal all cracks, crevices, wall voids.
- Regularly clean your bathrooms & toilets. If possible spray insecticides.
- Regularly mop and dust the premise.
- Keep the premise moisture free.
- Keep food articles and other materials which can contain starch in sealed packages.
- Keep Naphthalene balls in the wardrobe, sinks, etc to avoid these pests from entering your premise.