You have inevitably seen them somewhere around Western New York. Most likely, it was in your house or someone else’s house. They’re called silverfish, but that’s an odd name since they’re bugs, not fish!
Silverfish are best identified because of their three long bristles on their rear. Near their head, they’ve got two long antennae, too. They range in color from white to brown-grey to bluish-silver and measure about 12-19 mm in length. When they move, they kind of look like swimming fish. Slender, flat and wingless, silverfish can handle many climates, including ours here in Western New York.
So where are you most likely to find silverfish? They love dark, damp areas and they’re attracted to paper and wet clothing. If you’ve ever moved a storage box in your garage or shed, that’d be the prime time to spot a silverfish or two. They also tend to creep about in basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms. Like other bugs, they like damp places and gravitate toward water and wet spots.
What do silverfish eat? They’re like most humans in that they crave sugars and starches. As for stuff in your home, they’re going to go toward book glue, linen and shampoo. That’s a bit of an odd diet, don’t you think?
Silverfish reproduce to the point where they can lay a few eggs daily, from 2 to 20. You might have an infestation if you come across their tiny pepper-like feces on the floor or in a sink or bathtub. Or, if you see one in your home, there’s probably more, right?
Besides calling Amherst Exterminators to get rid of silverfish, you’ll be glad to know that spiders feed on them, so if you have a lot of spiders around, they’ll eat your silverfish. Centipedes and earwigs also eat silverfish.
As nocturnal creatures, silverfish are quick movers and they’re generally secretive. They love humid places, so if you can control the humidity, that’ll help make them look elsewhere for a place to live. Also, limiting their potential “feeding sites” helps.
Amherst Exterminators can help you get rid of silverfish– call 716-908-2475.
