Canton Termite and Pest Control often gets calls to control silverfish in private homes. The first sign of this insect is when you find holes in clothing and paper goods such as books.
Family: Lepismatidae, Silverfish
Description 3/8-1/2″ (9-13 mm). Tapering, carrot-shaped. Silver-gray, coated with scales. Threadlike antennae and 3 tail filaments, all shorter than body. Small black eyes. Maxillary palps.
Foods they prefer include dried cereals, flour, glue, and starch (including stiffeners used in clothing and bound books and coated papers used in magazines).
The silverfish’s life cycle begins when oval, white eggs are dropped in select places such as bathrooms and closets week after week. Eggs hatch in 2-8 weeks. Nymphs, 1/8-1/4″ (4-5 mm), have the same body form as adults. In the South, full size is attained in about 2 years, longer time is needed in the North.
Habitat- Indoors in warm, dry, or damp places, (including closets, bookcases, behind baseboards, in partitions, or in bathtubs).
Range-Worldwide in temperate climates.
Discussion-This insect has a scaly covering that helps it to escape from the grip of ants and spiders. Silverfish can survive without food for months.
We usually need to treat the attic and crawl space to control this pest.
If you live in Canton, BallGround, Jasper, Woodstock, or Cartersville, give us here at Canton Termite and Pest Control a call today.
