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Silverfish
 Description: Silverfish are always wingless and are silvery to
brown in color because their bodies are covered with fine scales. They
are generally soft bodied. Adults are up to 3/4 inch long, flattened from
top to bottom, elongated and oval in shape, have three long tail projections
and two long antennae.
Life Cycle: Females lay eggs continuously after
reaching the adult stage and may lay over 100 eggs during her life. Eggs
are deposited singly or in small groups in cracks and crevices and hatch
in 3 to weeks. Silverfish develop from egg to young to adult within 4
to 6 weeks and continue to molt throughout their life. Immature stages
appear similar to adults except they are about 1/20 of an inch long when
they first hatch and whitish in color, taking on the adults’ silver coloring
as they grow. They are long-lived, surviving from two to eight years.
Habitat, Food Source(s): Silverfish are chewing insects and general feeders but prefer carbohydrates and
protein, including flour, dried meat, rolled oats, paper and even glue.
They and can survive long periods, sometimes over a year, without food
but are sensitive to moisture and require a high humidity (75% to 90%)
to survive. They also have a temperature preference between 70 and 80
degrees F. They are fast running and mostly active at night and generally
prefer lower levels in homes, but may be found in attics.
Damage: Primarily a nuisance pest
inside the home or buildings; can contaminate food, damage paper goods
and stain clothing; medically harmless. Many of their habits are similar
to cockroaches and they appear to be more common as household pests in
drier parts of the state. Occasionally damage book bindings, curtains,
wallpaper.
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