what are silverfish? What do they eat and how can i get them out of my home?

Question

I find two or three of them running around the house daily!

Answer 1

Common name for primitive, wingless insects of the family Lepismatidae. The silverfish, which has two long antennae and three long tail bristles, is named for its covering of tiny, silvery scales. It develops directly in six or more molts into an adult about 1⁄2 in. (1.27 cm) long. It has chewing mouthparts set in a head cavity and eats starch from book bindings, wallpaper, and clothing. The silverfish is common indoors in cool, damp places such as basements. The firebrat, in the same taxonomic family, is found in warm places, e.g., near steampipes and boilers. Silverfish are classified in the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Thysanura, family Lepismatidae.

Call your Orkin man, or go to http://www.orkin.com

Answer 2

The Silverfish originated in the tropics, but has been able to extend its range to temperate countries by dwellings in damp and warm locations. Silverfish and their eggs can be transported from one area to another in cardboard cartons, books, paper and many other carbohydrate substances. They will feed on crumbs, dead insects, starch, glue, paste and some paper products.
Sanitation is the first and formost element of any effective silverfish control of all crawling insects. Vacuum regularly to help remove food and insects eggs. Silverfish can be easily trapped in small glass containers or baby food jars. Wrap the outside of the glass with tape and set the container upright in areas where silverfish have been seen. Silverfish will climb up the tape surface, but they will be traped in the glass container because they cannot climb smooth surfaces. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

They are insects. They love to eat starchs, carbohydrates, books, fabrics of all types, photos, hair, dandruff and sugar. How to get rid of them I would suggest that you spray the scent of sal ammoniac around the house that will drive them out within 24 hours. A ratio 1:1 dispersion of borax and sugar is a reliable bait to kill silverfish.

Answer 4

Silverfish and Firebrats belong to a primitive group of insects of characteristic appearance, being flattened and carrot-shaped, broad near the head end and tapering toward the rear. They are scaly and wingless and have long slender antennae. Three long slender appendages occur at the rear of the body and give this group the common name of "bristletails".
Silverfish, Lepisma saccharina, are uniformly silver to brown, about ½ inch long. Firebrats, Thermobia domestica, are mottled grayish brown, about ½ inch long.
Both silverfish and firebrats develop by simple metamorphosis. Silverfish females lay up to 100 eggs in cracks and crevices. Eggs hatch in two to eight weeks depending upon conditions. After three to four molts the nymphs develop adult coloration. Silverfish take three to four months to become sexually mature and may live for three to four years.

Firebrat females lay up to 50 eggs in cracks and crevices. Because of the warmth, the eggs hatch in 12-13 days. Nymphs are sexually mature in two to four months and full grown in a year. Adults may live up to two years.
Silverfish live in damp areas indoors or out, usually underneath boxes, boards, debris, etc. They may enter homes by being carried in on cardboard cartons, books, old papers or through house vents. They are active both day and night.
Firebrats prefer very warm areas indoors where temperatures are above 90 F. Indoors they are usually found near heating units, fireplaces, and steam or hot water pipes if these areas are not too dry. Firebrats require some moisture.
Both species feed upon starches and proteins, such as fabrics, paper, starches, glue, books and other household furnishings. They leave yellowish stains, especially on linens.

Control:
To keep silverfish and firebrats away, keep basements, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, especially shower stalls, clean and dry. Sealing holes or spaces around plumbing. Repair leaks and drips in plumbing.
Clean out closets periodically, magazines, papers, and books provide food for them. Keep foods in containers with tight lids.

Registered pesticides for silverfish / firebrat control vary from state to state.
There are several commercially available products that control silverfish and firebrats.
In Arizona Deltadust , Borid and CY-Kick C&C Aerosol are a few available retail.
Always read and follow label directions for safe use of any pesticide.

Links:
Silverfish and Firebrats (Order: Thysanura) University of Arizona
University of California

Answer 5

silverfish eat glue,wallpaper paste, bookbindings, 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.
You sould call your local orkin man

Answer 6

http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/aimg2.html


Here is a website about them. at the bottom of the page is a link for "management" and how to prevent and keep the numbers down....Ive got them too!!! YUCK!

Answer 7

I'm wating to see the answers too. Hope you get rid of them.

Answer 8

u pretty much need a professional exterminator..... and once u do that u have to vacuum everything even your mattress,couches, chairs and u may even have to wash all your clothes ... they get every where.......good luck to u!!!! :)