Silverfish

 

Silverfish Extermination Extermination SILVERFISH APPEARANCE, BIOLOGY, HABITS, CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS

enlarge   Click on image to enlarge Silverfish Photograph Photograph by: J.L. Castner, University of Florida Silverfish Appearance Silverfishis about 1/2 inch long, with a uniform silvery color over the upper surface. Their  bodies are long and slender, flattened. The bodies are broad at the front, and gradually tapering toward the rear. They can be found almost anywhere, but prefer damp, moderate temperature places such as basements, laundry rooms, and under sinks. .   Silverfish Biology and Habits Silverfish prefer a dark, moist environment and require a large supply of starchy foods or  molds. Silverfish are considered to be nuisance pests that can feed on wallpaper pastes, natural textiles, books, and papers. Silverfish also feed on mold or fungi that can grow on various surfaces. They are fast-moving and can travel throughout buildings. Once silverfish find a good source of food, however, they stay close to it. Silverfish go through only a three stage life cycle called gradual metamorphosis, while many insects have a four stage life cycle (complete metamorphosis). metamorphosis). Silverfish may lay eggs at any time during the year, and take 19-43 days to hatch. The life cycle from silverfish egg to adult is three to four months. They prefer humid areas (75 to 97% humidity), like bathrooms and moderate temperatures (70o to 80o F). Silverfish are found in basemen basements, ts, kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, in bookcases, bookcases, on closet shelves, behind baseboards, baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames, wall voids, and sub-floor  areas. Silverfish are active at night or are active in dark places found throughout the structure. Silverfish can be a problem year round.  Attics are a favorite favorite place place for silverfish due due to the abu abundant ndant food food sources due to the recycled blown in paper insulation and storage boxes. You may see silverfish trapped in sinks and bathtubs bathtubs because they enter  seeking moisture and are unable to climb a slick vertical surface to escape. Symptoms and Damage of Silverfish: Silverfish are found in basemen basements, ts, kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, in bookcases, bookcases, on closet shelves, behind baseboards, baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames, wall voids, and sub-floor  areas. Because they molt during their adult lives their cast skins may be a useful detection too. Silverfish diets are high in protein, sugar, or starch, includi including ng cereals, moist wheat flour, starch in book bindings, and paper on which there is glue or paste. Silverfish can damage book bindings, wallpaper, paper goods and dry foods. They may eat holes, irregular shaped in the wallpaper to get to the paste. Silverfish may bite very small holes in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk, even though they cannot

 

digest either linen or cotton. Firebrats will feed extensively on rayon, whereas silverfish usually damage it only slightly. They may leave a yellowish stain on fabric. Outside, they may be found in nest of insects, birds, mamma mammals, ls, and under tree bark and mulch. They can be found in wood shingles or sidings on houses, they may enter the home from these. RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR SILVERFISH CONTROL: How to Get Rid of and Kill Silverfish Sources of any undue moisture, such as faulty plumbing or condensation that provide the humidity favored by these pests should be eliminated. Dehumidifying reduces the moisture content of the air that these insects find essential. Some methods for dehumidifying include: Mend leaking pipes. Ventilate closed rooms and attics. Eliminate standing water. Use a dehumidifier an air conditioner. Regularly vacuuming cracks and crevices with a narrow vacuum tip also can be a good method to physically remove these insects from their harborages. Removal of food sources , stored in tight containers. If you have a problem of silverfish inside your home, a good residual perimeter treatment of:

9.7  Cyonara 9.7 

Demon WP /Cyper WP insecticide These residual insecticides, sprayed around entry points and foundatio foundation n of the house would be the first step. Spray along the foundational wall, with a two or three foot band. Cyonara 9.7, Demon WP/Cyper WP : last for two to three months.  All these products products are odorless. odorless. The wettable wettable powder (WP) formulation formulation in the the Demon WP and Cyper WP will leave a slight film that can be seen against dark surfaces. The Cyonara 9.7 does not leave a film. However if you have a more severe problem with silverfish , look into stored boxes and the insulation in your attic. It is best to dust or bait these areas for greater control. When you use baits or dusts, you do want to get it as close as possible to their habitats habitats to be effective. You never want to bait and dust in areas that are visible. Dust needs to be in hidden areas such as :  Attics-Insulation  Attics-Insu lation Behind Refrigerators and Ovens Boxes Light fixtures Electrical outlets Under siding .

 

 A recommended recommended dust for silverfish silverfish control control would be  be 

ECO PCO DX Dust  or 

Dust. Both dust last 6 months in the attic area or recessed area. Delta Dust.  Apply it in the attic attic in the insulation insulation area in particular, under under siding, siding, in storage boxes,light boxes,light fixtures, electrical outlets.  Apply it to areas areas that can can be kept dry. dry. An easy way way to apply Delta Dust or ECO ECO PCO DX Dust, if broadcasting in the insulation area would be the use of a duster  Dustin Mizer ,cranking out a large amount of dust at a time. called the You will want one lb. of dust per 800-1000 sq. ft.

For smaller dust jobs Bellows Duster  Duster would would work fine.  Anotherr very effective way is the  Anothe the use of baits baits in the attic attic or on the the outside for silverfish silverfish control.

. Intice Granular Bait works very well against silverfish as well as roaches and crickets. It can be sprinkled out in a self contained one lb. bag, in all the areas you believe they are hiding.

You can also you a residual aerosol like D-Force HPX Aerosol with a crack and crevice tip, enabling enabling you to get behind baseboards and corners of traveling paths of  the silverfish. This type of aerosol is very helpful in bathrooms bathrooms where silverfish like to eat the back of wallpaper. Silverfish Paks are designed to go inside. These Paks destroy these year-round pests that eat wool, paper, linen and cellulose materials. Place odorless, wafer-thin packets under rugs, behind curtains, in closets and dark hidden places . Place away from children and pets. Niban/Intice Niban/Intice and Silverfish Paks both are designed to attract the silverfish as they eat, function functioning ing as long term baits. If you do not know the exact location of the habitat of the silverfish and cannot treat it directly, baits are ideal for silverfish control.