Silverfish Identification In Florida

What Are Silverfish? 

Silverfish are insects that are pearl gray, have long antennae, and have metallic scales covering their tear-drop-shaped bodies. At the end of their bodies are three long, tail-like appendages. Silverfish may be wingless, and they move quickly across surfaces using a wiggling or fish-like movement. Silverfish are insects with high moisture needs and can adapt to living either indoors or outdoors. 

Are Silverfish Dangerous?

Silverfish are nuisance pests because they don’t bite or sting, nor do they pass diseases to people that make us seriously ill, but these pests are annoying and damaging. Their quick movements startle people, and their appearance often causes people to become frightened.

When silverfish decide to make themselves at home in our Florida homes, they cause damage to many things we all have in our homes, including clothing, papers, wallpaper, carpets, upholstered furniture, and dry goods stored in pantry areas.

Another important fact about silverfish is that they are attracted to areas with a lot of excess moisture. Having silverfish in your home could indicate an underlying moisture problem in or around your house that needs repair. Contact Native Pest Management today and learn about our South Florida pest control treatment plans.

Why Do I Have a Silverfish Problem?

The humidity that Florida is well-known for allows many pests to thrive, especially silverfish. Silverfish often live outside in flowerbeds or gardens or under items including trash cans, recycling bins, and mulch. It is very common for these pests to enter homes, searching for areas of moisture or food sources. Gaps underneath doors, cracks in the foundation, and gaps around wires and cables are common entry points for these pests. 

In addition to moving into homes on their own from the exterior, they also get inside of items including cardboard boxes, potted plants, buckets, newspapers, wood, and other items that were previously stored outside. When we then bring those items into our homes, we also bring silverfish in with them. 

One of the most common areas we identify silverfish infestations is in attics underneath the insulation. Our inspectors will lift sections of insulation in your attic to inspect for silverfish and silverfish droppings. 

As far as silverfish prevention, we recommend replacing cardboard storage boxes with plastic or aluminum containers. We also recommend replacing mulch along the exterior foundation of your home with stones or pebbles, which drain water more easily and eliminate harborage areas for silverfish.

Where Do Silverfish Hide?

When silverfish move into a structure, they move to areas that will meet their moisture requirements. If silverfish are in your home, the following areas are where you are likely to discover them.

• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Utility rooms
• Crawl spaces
• Cabinets under sinks
• Wall voids near leaky pipes
• Cardboard boxes and areas of clutter
• In the attic on or around the insulation