SILVERFISH

 

Silverfish and firebrats are common house-invading pests. Considered mostly a nuisance, they also contaminate food with their droppings and scales from their bodies damage paper goods and even stain cloth.

Silverfish and firebrats are usually introduced in the home from some outside source. Considerable time is required for populations to become established, grow and reproduce. Once they are controlled, they generally do not re-infest from outdoors.

Biology and Description

Silverfish and firebrats are flattened from top to bottom, elongated and oval in shape. They are easy to recognize by their lack of wings, three caudal or tail projections and two long antennae. Their bodies are covered with fine scales, which are silvery to brown in color.

Silverfish develop from egg to young to adult and continue to molt throughout their adult life. They are long-lived, surviving from two to eight years.

The female lays eggs continuously after she reaches adulthood and may lay over 100 eggs during her lifespan. The eggs are deposited singly or in small groups in cracks and crevices and hatch in 3 to 6 weeks. The young are approximately 1/20 of an inch in length. They are white but take on the adult’s silver coloring within 4 to 6 weeks. Adults reach a length of about 3/4 of an inch. Silverfish are extremely sensitive to moisture and require a high relative humidity (75 to 95 percent). They also have a temperature preference between 70 degrees and 80 degrees F.

Treatment

For professional services call surrey pest control 778-929-9215