Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina
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SIZE
3/8in to 3/4in long
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COLOR
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BITE OR STING
No
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WINGS
No
COMMONLY MISTAKEN FOR
SOLUTIONS FOR SILVERFISH
General Information
Silverfish get their name because of the silvery, metallic scales that cover their bodies.1 If these pests infest your home, they can be a real nuisance. This is because they can infest your food and leave unsightly stains wherever they hide. Find out more about these fast-moving bugs and how to help get rid of silverfish in the home.
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Silverfish can live for several months without food.
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They are fast runners and feed on almost anything.
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Silverfish are wingless, so they cannot fly.
Details
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Silverfish live in damp, cool places.
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They require high-humidity environments.
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Silverfish may also be found in bookcases, on closet shelves, and behind baseboards, windows, or doorframes.
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They can eat stored food like cereals, but more often they just scavenge small crumbs.
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They also have been known to eat paper that has glue/paste on it, including book bindings, and the stains in fabrics.
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Silverfish can infest your family’s food.
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They can stain the objects they hide in, such as books, cardboard, wallpaper, or stored clothing.
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Valuable items like paintings, old books, and documents may also be damaged or have yellow stains.
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Eliminate any exposed food and moisture.
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Toss out old boxes and newspapers where silverfish like to hide.
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Inspect paper, cardboard, books, and wood that is brought into the home.
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Keep kitchen and bathroom floors, counters, and cupboards clean.
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If you notice silverfish in damp areas of your home, try running a dehumidifier to make the area less humid, and therefore less appealing to these pests.
