silver fish. how do u get rid of them and are they diseased?

Answer 1

Silverfish like damp conditions.....dry up the area (fix the leak, repair the sealing, whatever) and they generally go away.
You could also try something like 'ant powder' to get rid of them, but as long as you have the damp, they will come back eventually.

the good news is that they do not carry diseases, like cockroaches, and are fairly benign little critters.

Answer 2

i have been getting a silver fish crawling in the bathroom, I don't like them, due the damp I think. I got the pest control to sort out the silver fish, they were using the spray called Procontrol which seem to help. The silver fish had not been back since.

Answer 3

DESCRIPTION: Silverfish are small, soft insects without wings. The abdomen has three filaments extending from it.Silverfish are not often seen by homeowners because they are nocturnal and can run very swiftly. Occasionally, they are found in bathtubs. They crawl in seeking food or moisture and can't climb out. These insects prefer vegetable matter with a high carbohydrate and protein content. However, indoors they will feed on almost anything. A partial list includes dried beef, flour, starch, paper, gum, glue, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, molds and breakfast cereals.

HABITAT: Silverfish normally live outdoors under rocks, bark and leaf mold, in the nests of birds and mammals, and in ant and termite nests. However, many are found in houses and are considered a pest, or at least a nuisance, by homeowners. Usually they are found trapped in a bathtub, sink, or washbasin.

LIFE CYCLE: Adults lay eggs in small groups containing a few to 50 eggs. The eggs are very small and deposited in cracks and crevices. A female normally lays less than 100 eggs during her lifespan of two to eight years. Under ideal conditions, the eggs hatch in two weeks, but may take up to two months to hatch.

The young nymphs are very much like the adults except for size. Several years are required before they are sexually mature, and they must mate after each molt if viable eggs are to be produced. Populations do not build up rapidly because of their slow development rate and the small number of eggs laid.

TYPE OF DAMAGE: A household pest, they feed on cereals and non-food items such as paste, paper, starch in clothes, rayon fabrics and dried meats.

CONTROL: Sanitation alone will not eliminate an infestation, although it may prevent new ones from starting. A large infestation usually means the house has been infested for some time.

Residual insecticides (use an aerosol) will help to control these pests. Removing old papers, boxes, books, and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places. Moth crystals placed in boxes in the attic will also help.

INTERESTING FACTS: They can go for up to one year without food.

Answer 4

Silverfish like damp conditions, so make sure the area they are in is dry. Silverfish are not diseased - if you have an infestation try the pest control found in yellow pages

Answer 5

Horrible things. They live on food scraps, old papers containing animal glue etc, in themselves they are not diseased but it is better not to have them, Spray the affected area, Check that there is no damp as they thrive in damp conditions, They are resilient, can live for a year on NOTHING.

Answer 6

An enormous spider lives in a crack in my bathroom. Since I've had that I haven't seen any silverfish.

Answer 7

Yeah,I haven't noticed as many silverfish in my bathroom since the spiders took over. I wouldn't kill them anyway as they do me no harm.

Answer 8

I think silverfish are related to the cockroach family and am sure there are sprays you can use good luck !

Answer 9

hiya
we had them in our fish and chip shop and we had to get pest control, they wont do you any harm, try not to worry to much

Answer 10

These little critters don't heart, my old mum said if you have them your always be lucky