Pest Control : Sydney silverfish

Identification

The silverfish adult is about 1.5cm long with a uniform silvery or pearl-gray in color, Silverfish have flat, elongated bodies 1/3 to 3/4 inch long and broad near the head, tapering toward the rear-somewhat "carrot" shaped. These fragile, wingless insects are covered with scales and have two long, slender antennae at the head and three long, antennae-like appendages at the rear. These three appendages, one directed straight back and the other two curving outward, plus the two antennae, are nearly as long as the body.

Life Cycle and Habits

Silverfish eat a wide variety of foods, including glue, wallpaper paste, bookbinding’s, paper, photographs, starch in clothing, cotton, linen, rayon fabrics, wheat flour, cereals, dried meats, leather and even dead insects. Silverfish often live in damp, cool places such as basements and laundry rooms. Sometimes, they are found in a bathtub, sink or washbasin, unable to climb out.

Silverfish females may lay over 100 eggs during a lifetime. Eggs are laid singly or two to three at a time in small groups, hatching in three to six weeks.

Silverfish may reach maturity in three to twenty-four months. These insects normally hitchhike into the home in food, furniture, old books, papers and old starched clothing. Unlike other insects, they continue to molt after becoming adults.

To speak to one of our Qualified Pest Control Technicians about silverfish or any of your pest problems    Please call 0425 218 172