How quickly do silverfish reproduce?

Depending upon climate conditions and species, eggs may take between 19 to 60 days to hatch. Humid conditions are preferable, though silverfish can thrive in almost any environment. Female silverfish produce one to three eggs per day, or clusters of two to twenty.

How long does it take for silverfish eggs to hatch?

Eggs of both species are about 1/25 of an inch long. The females lay the eggs in crevices, on cloth, or buried in food or dust. The average clutch contains 50 eggs, but this can vary from 1 to 200. Firebrat eggs hatch in about 14 days and silverfish eggs in about 19 to 32 days.

Does seeing one silverfish mean an infestation?

They're shaped like a teardrop and wiggle back and forth when they move, much like a fish does when swimming. Spotting silverfish is difficult since they are nocturnal, but seeing even a single live silverfish is a good indication that you have an infestation somewhere in the home.

How long is the life cycle of a silverfish?

They are long-lived, surviving from two to eight years. Simple metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult). Habitat, Food Source(s): Silverfish are chewing insects and general feeders but prefer carbohydrates and protein, including flour, dried meat, rolled oats, paper and even glue.

Is there ever just one silverfish?

If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. A single female can lay 100 eggs in her lifetime and it only take 3 months from egg to adult. It doesn't take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand.

Learn Something About Silverfish!

How do you spot a silverfish nest?

Tiny black spots of their excrement. Yellowish stains. Nests outdoors in bark or other wood, rocks, or construction material in warm weather. Indoor nests in damp, dark areas.

How do you get rid of silverfish permanently?

What time of year do silverfish come out?

Most silverfish infestations begin outside. In Southern California's winter when the weather is wetter and more humid, it may as well be a silverfish paradise. They find their way inside as they look for similar conditions; the controlled climate and variety of dark, uninhabited spots help them sustain populations.

What kills silverfish in the house?

To control Silverfish in and around the home, spray Yates Home Pest Long Term Control Barrier Spray. This product kills Silverfish on contact and provides a control barrier for up to 12 months indoors and 3 months outdoors.

Why am I finding so many silverfish in my house?

Where Do Silverfish Come From? If there's moisture and starch, you'll likely also find a silverfish. These bugs love dark and damp places, like basements. Humid bathrooms are also a large draw, as are kitchens where food is found.

Do silverfish go in beds?

Finding Silverfish in Beds

Although they prefer places like bathrooms and closets, it is possible to find silverfish bugs in beds. These insects are about half an inch in length with silver teardrop-shaped bodies and long antennae. While they're more annoying than harmful, these pests can damage bedding.

Do silverfish have nests?

Inside homes, silverfish create nests in damp areas where temperatures are cooler, and they are usually found residing in basements. However, they can also be found nesting in cabinets and underneath sinks in attics, kitchens, crawl spaces, laundry rooms, and bathrooms.

Do silverfish mean your house is dirty?

You might be happy to learn that silverfish are not necessarily a sign of a dirty house. However, they can be a sign of underlying problems. Silverfish love warm and damp areas, and this is generally not what you want in your home.

Where do silverfish hide during the day?

They are nocturnal and prefer to hide or rest in tight cracks or crevices during the day. Silverfish can be found almost anywhere in a house including living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, attics, basements, garages and shake roofs.

What temp kills silverfish?

However, they can survive at temperatures ranging from freezing to well above 100°F. You can find them around ovens, heating units, fireplaces, hot water pipes, attics during the summer, and the furnace during winter.

Can you bring silverfish when you move?

If your old home is infested with silverfish, do what you can to eliminate the infestation before moving into your new home, or you may bring the silverfish with you. Scrutinize any books, papers and clothing that may have been a meal for silverfish. Eliminate any insects from your possessions before moving.

Can silverfish crawl on ceilings?

These pests are silver to gun-metal color and one species has 4 dark lines running along its entire body. One finds silverfish in attics, closets and sometimes in bathtubs or sinks where they fall from the ceiling, electrical and plumbing fixtures and cannot climb out.

Can silverfish climb walls?

They're Poor Climbers

Some types of insects can expertly climb smooth vertical surfaces, like walls. Silverfish do not have this ability. If they fall into a sink, bathtub, or similar place, they can't get out. Since these pests can be found trapped in sinks or tubs, some people think silverfish climb out of drains.

Why do I have silverfish in my bedroom?

Silverfish love damp places, so your bed would offer the perfect ecosystem for them. Combined with your body's heat and the temperature of your room plus the dark spaces in between bedsprings and cushions, silverfish can populate in no time using your bed as a breeding ground.

Should I squish silverfish?

When you see silverfish in winter, avoid the urge to crush them. This can stain light-colored surfaces. Silverfish that have invaded your home for the winter, or any other time of the year, do not pose any physical threat to you. They do not bite humans and they are not known to spread disease.

Do silverfish go away in the winter?

Unlike many other pests, which die off or go dormant in the winter, the silverfish, which gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements, can remain active all year long.

Are silverfish worse in winter?

Winter's cold temperatures do a great job encouraging hibernation or even killing many pests that enter homes and buildings, but silverfish can actually be even more prominent in the winter months! These pests are nocturnal so they come out at night and couldn't look creepier.

Do silverfish live in carpet?

Can silverfish live in my carpet? Silverfish enjoy carbohydrates, particularly starch and dextrin which can be found in books, clothing and dead skin. That said, silverfish aren't picky, they will move on to synthetic fibres found in carpets and rugs when their preferred delicacy runs low.

What smell deters silverfish?

Silverfish hate the smell of citrus, cinnamon and lavender. If you are looking to repel them naturally, a great idea is to use essential oils to clean your home or as a home fragrance (such as candles and diffusers) to keep them away.

Do silverfish come from drains?

Contrary to popular belief, silverfish do not live in drains. They are attracted to moisture and warm, dark places with high levels of humidity (above 75 percent), which explains why they are frequently found in bathrooms.