Silverfish

Life Cycle

Color: Silvery gray
Size: Adults about ⅓–½ inch
Key Markings: Tapered body and three tail filaments
Activity: Mostly active at night
Common Areas: Damp storage, closets, bathrooms

Description

Order Zygentoma

Silverfish are wingless insects with scales, long antennae, and three tail-like appendages. They hide in protected gaps and feed on materials containing starches, sugars, or proteins. Young resemble adults and develop gradually through molts, without a pupal stage.

What Attracts Them?

High humidity and limited airflow
Paper, paste, and starchy materials
Undisturbed storage spaces

How Do They Get Inside?

Infested stored materials
Gaps around pipelines
Openings into protected indoor spaces

Signs of an Infestation

Fast-moving silvery insects

Feeding damage to paper or bindings

Activity around damp shelving

Insects beneath stored items

How Serious or Harmful Are They?

Silverfish are mainly a material-damage concern. Their feeding can affect books, paper, and some fabrics; reducing moisture and protecting susceptible items helps limit damage.

Treatment / How to Get Rid of Them

What You Can Do

Lower humidity and correct leaks
Improve airflow in storage areas
Protect books and fabrics from damp conditions
Reduce clutter and inspect stored materials

How Pest Guys Helps

The A-C-T Process: Assess. Communicate. Treat.

Assess — We inspect your property, identify pests and activity, locate nesting and hiding areas, and find contributing conditions.

Communicate — We explain our findings, discuss the recommended plan, answer your questions, and confirm understanding and agreement.

Treat — We put the agreed plan into action, perform the initial treatment, provide ongoing service, and monitor results to adjust as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for first?

Tapered body and three tail filaments. Fast-moving silvery insects. A clear photograph and the location of activity can help with identification.

What conditions should I check?

Start with high humidity and limited airflow. Lower humidity and correct leaks.

Does seeing one mean there is an infestation?

A single sighting does not establish the extent of a problem. Repeated activity, developing young, nests, or other evidence help us determine what is happening.

How does Pest Guys decide what to do?

We use A-C-T: Assess, Communicate, Treat. The pest, its location, and the conditions at your home guide the recommendation. We explain the plan and any preparation needed before service.