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Terminate Silverfishes in a Snap!
What is a Silverfish and why it is here?
Silverfish is the common name for the insect Lepisma Saccharina. It is wingless, has scales, three long tail projections, and two long antennae. Its common name refers to its fish like way of moving and its scales. The scientific name refers to the insect's diet.
Silverfishes prefer the dark and are particular about their environment. In fact, their habitat is very similar to that of the cockroach. They prefer humid and temperate environments and are active at night. In addition, like the cockroach, they are sugar addicts.
These bothersome insects only go through a three-stage life cycle (gradual metamorphosis) yet moult throughout their lives. Silverfish usually live 2-8 years.
Reproduction happens in three stages. The first stage is where the male and female stand face to face while touching their trembling antennae. The insect lovers will back off and repeat this process repeatedly.
Stage two involves an invigorating chase as the male runs away, forcing the female to catch him. Stage three has the insects facing each other again with the male vibrating his tail against the female's tail. It is here that the male will lay a spermatophore (sperm capsule). The female will take this capsule up into her body to save for future eggs.
Females will lay over 100 eggs in their lifetimes, either singly or in batches of 2 or 3. The eggs take 19-43 days to hatch and the larvae take about 3-4 months to mature.
What do Silverfish eat?
Silverfishes are "chewing insects" that eat proteins and polysaccharides (sugars and starch). Some of their favourite menu items are: glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, hair, and cereal. They will also eat dead insects and their own moulted exoskeletons. Silverfish have been known to "graze" the cellulose present in many shampoos, soaps, and shaving foams.
Sadly, in extreme cases, Silverfishes can live for one full year without eating.
One thing is for sure, if Silverfishes find a good source of food they will normally stay close.
Know Thy Enemy
Silverfish are from the order Thysanura which is believed to have existed for over 300 million years, making Silverfishes older than cockroaches.
Silverfish are typically found in the northern hemisphere and have no direct effect on human health. They are a pest because their feeding habits destroy property.
Silverfish are attracted to silk, cotton, and synthetics, but not to eat. Instead, they will bite through them to get to food that they desire.
Rarely encountered outdoors; the Silverfish is primarily an indoor problem.
How to Banish Silverfish
Existing Silverfish infestations typically require a combination of preventative measures and elimination products.
To Silverfish-proof your home, start with sanitation. Silverfish would be happy to dine on your food while you sleep, so make sure that flat surfaces are clean and food is stored away in airtight containers. Remove other sources of food such as stacks of old newspapers and old books.
Reducing the water supply will reduce the population. Lower your home's humidity with dehumidifiers and fans, repair leaking plumping, and eliminate moisture in laundry areas. Ventilate closed rooms and attics.
Cover or fill entry points into wall partitions (where they live and breed the most) and try to keep dark sheltered areas lit. Physically remove Silverfishes from their concealment by vacuuming cracks and crevices with a narrow vacuum tip. Apply sticky "roach traps" and jar traps to infested areas.
Once the Silverfish preventions are complete, it is time to eliminate. Silverfish insecticides are all poisons that kill the adult insects but leave the eggs unharmed. Today, there are insecticides that are Eco-friendly, but, naturally, a method that does not harm pets and children is preferred.
Insecticides come in four forms: dust, sprays, baits, and bombs. Dusts are used in areas that can be kept dry, such as inside wall partitions. Inserted in voids between the walls, this poison will dry out the Silverfishes in roughly 10-14 days.
Sprays are residual, leaving a film on the sprayed surface. This extends the life of the treatment, as future insect generations will be exposed to the poison. Sprays should never be used on surfaces where pets or children will come in contact.
Baits hit the Silverfish right in the food source. Once other food sources have been removed from an infested area, these poisoned food baits can be placed to lure the Silverfish to their deaths. Baits come in granular form or are in the new Silverfish Paks (paper packets of poisoned granules that the insect "chews through"). Like insecticide sprays, baits should not be used in areas where pets and children can come in contact.
Finally, pestered occupants can opt for insecticide bombs. These are commonly used in hard to reach places such as crawl spaces and attics.
No matter which removal technique you choose, your persistence and dedication are what will exterminate the Silverfishes in your home and prevent future infestations.
Why should I read this guide?
Reading this guide will provide you with an understanding of why silverfish return repeatedly, and provide systematic instructions on how to make sure that they do not come back.
This is a VERY easy guide to help you out.
Stop their reign by buying this product now.
The Fill Silver Show Recorded live at the BroFest2009 more footage.
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