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 Silverfish
Silverfish live in cracks and voids and are commonly found in larger
numbers in attics, basements, and crawl spaces. They are also common
outdoors in southern states. Homes with cedar shake roofs seem to
experience more serious infestations of silverfish. This may be due
to the additional molds that form on this type of shingle. Silverfish will travel long distances to locate a food source. Once a good
source of food is located, they will stay in that same area. More
available food results in more silverfish. Inside, silverfish will
be seen occasionally or on a regular basis in kitchens, bathrooms,
and other rooms.
Size
Small, elongated, triangular insects, usually between 1/2-inch
and one inch in length.
Color
Typically a shiny gray or silver.
They have three characteristic long, thin appendages extending from
the rear of the abdomen.
Behavior
Silverfish feed on fungal molds and organic matter. They will
damage natural fabrics, paper and book bindings. Treatment of cracks
and voids as well as attic and crawl spaces is necessary to minimize
silverfish. This pest, however, is one of the most difficult insects
to totally eliminate even for a professional company.
Tips for Control
Silverfish can be very difficult to control, especially in those
homes which have wood shake (shingle) roofs. Shakes hold moisture
and permit surface molds to grow which serve as food for silverfish.
Shake roofs are also very difficult to treat completely -- to reach
all the areas where silverfish can possibly live. In addition,
silverfish often live in the soffits and behind the fascia board
behind gutters. Individual silverfish then invade the interior of
the home from this "reservoir" site. Compounding the problem in
attics is blown-in insulation that prevents a professional from
safely venturing into the attic to look for silverfish harborages. A
professional should be consulted when silverfish are a regular
problem.
Areas that might require treatment include:
- Voids where plumbing is located.
- Voids behind electrical outlets.
- Molding around windows and doorways.
- The attic, crawl space and basement.
- The soffits.
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