Silverfish Infestations in Pequannock, NJ; How to Get Rid of These Occasional Invader Pests

Silverfish are small, wingless insects. Their common name comes from the pest’s silvery light gray and blue appearance, combined with the fish-like appearance of its movements. They are nocturnal insects and are typically half an inch to one inch in length. Their abdomens taper at the end, giving them their fish-like appearance. They hatch white and develop the grayish hue and metallic shine as they get older.

Where Are Silverfish Found?

They are completely wingless and have long antennae, and move in a wiggling motion that resembles the movement of fish. Silverfish typically live for two to eight years. They are agile runners and an outrun most of their predators like spiders and centipedes. Silverfish can only run on horizontal surfaces. They lack any additional appendages and are therefore not fast enough to climb walls at the same speed. Silverfish are nocturnal and will avoid light. They inhabit moist areas that require a relative humidity between 75% and 95%. In urban areas silverfish are found in attics, basements, bathtubs, sinks, kitchens, and showers. They are attracted to paper and damp clothing. They are often found in stored boxes in garages and sheds. They feed on sugars and starches and cellulose, shampoos, glue in books, linen, silk, and dead insects are good food sources. They have even been found in unopened food packages. Homeowners may encounter silverfish on the floor or in a sink or bathtub. You may see damage from their feeding along with the presence of tiny pepper like feces.

Silverfish Infestation Prevention

Silverfish move very quickly and are secretive too. This makes the severity of an infestation go unnoticed for long periods of time, which allows for exponential growth. Silverfish reproduce extremely quickly. Silverfish can cause destructive damage due to their feeding habits. They can ruin papers, clothing, and wallpaper. Silverfish are able to survive in almost any environment, but prefer areas with high humidity. Nymphs will develop faster in areas that are humid. So the best way to prevent an infestation is to control humidity. Caulking in crawl spaces, open vents, and basements will help. Making sure you keep your home clean will help too as silverfish consume a variety of foods to limit potential feeding sites.

Silverfish Control

If your home already has a silverfish population, then hiring a professional is the best option. Merlin’s Pest Control can create a customized approach. The traps and insecticides you can buy at the store will only kill individual insects and cannot address an entire infestation. Cinnamon can repel silverfish to some extent but it will not kill the insects or their eggs. Both the adults and their young-lings need to be addressed when dealing with silverfish infestations. Doing it yourself may give you periods of brief relief followed by another infestation bu silverfish infestations need the help of professionals for successful treatment. We will be able to assess the situation in your home and come up with the most effective methods of extermination. When you first suspect any signs of a silverfish infestation, contact Merlin’s Pest Control to schedule a home inspection to get rid of silverfish.