Silverfish are metallic creatures which despite their name are not fish, but insects!These shiny gray insects have a long, fish-shaped body and typically grow between 0.5-1 in (1.3-2.5 cm). They have long wriggly legs and antennae, making them look quite alien-like.Their creepy appearance leads people to assume that they may bite humans and are venomous in nature, though that is far from the truth. Even though silverfish are not dangerous towards humans, a large infestation of them can eat their way through your house, which may lead to structural damage if not contained. They normally feed on items made out of wood and paper. However, if not brought under control, they may move on to eating drywall and wood, which can greatly damage your home and everything in it. They will eat everything from furniture to insulation, which can cause a lot of problems. Silverfish love moisture and will thrive in damp and unhygienic conditions, which is why a having clean environment is the most important step to take in order to prevent them from entering your home. If the population of these silver critters keeps rising in your home despite your best efforts, then calling pest control is the best option.If you enjoyed this article, do check out our other pages like are skinks poisonous and are skunks nocturnal.What are silverfish a sign of?Silverfish are attracted to moisture and cellulose, which are present in pieces of hair, dead skin cells, dandruff, and paper bits. Human beings actually shed a lot of dead skin cells during the day, which constitutes a huge percentage of dust inside our houses. The build-up of dust, along with dampness or darkness, is the ideal breeding ground for silverfish. Silverfish can reproduce very quickly and can go for long periods of time without eating, which is why once they make their way into your home it is very difficult to get rid of them.These pests can be found in dark and humid places such as basements, bathrooms, closets, and crevices around the house. Silverfish feed on human hair as well, which is why you may find these bugs crawling around the bathroom floor or near any hairbrushes or combs lying around.Due to their weak jaws, silverfish are unable to pierce human skin, which is why they feed on minute particles such as skin cells or hair. They feed on other objects by dragging their jaws across the surface and slowly wearing down the surface and may leave yellow waste material behind. Any damage in the form of scrapes as well as yellow streaks is usually the first sign that there is a silverfish infestation in your home.Are firebrats or silverfish dangerous to homes?Though silverfish are not known to bite humans, they are still pests and can cause significant damage if their numbers are not contained.As these bugs enjoy anything starchy or sweet, such as cellulose, they may eat their way through dry foods such as cereal, sweets, and bread as well as objects made out of wood and paper such as books, furniture, wallpaper, and clothing. As they eat paper and cardboard, large infestations of silverfish may spread, ending up damaging stored money, precious documents and photo albums, wallpaper, and even the drywall of the house itself!One good thing is that silverfish do not have a taste for blood or flesh, and largely ignore meat as well as living creatures as they are unable to bite them with their weak jaws. They are not poisonous or venomous in any way either, which is why they are seen as pests rather than as a health hazard for humans. They may, however, trigger allergies in some people due to the shedding of their scales around the house.Are silverfish dangerous to infants?Though silverfish are thought to be harmful to humans, especially to babies, there is no such evidence that points towards this. A common misconception is that silverfish can enter the ears of babies, though this is simply not true.Silverfish, despite their creepy appearance, do not bite, sting, or carry any harmful pathogens which may affect humans. Though they do enjoy cellulose which can be found in dead skin cells, they do not approach humans, preferring to hide away in dark spaces and only come out at night.Though they do not directly harm humans, silverfish may trigger allergic reactions in some people through the molting of their scales. Silverfish go through the molting process quite frequently, and in the process may leave behind scales that can cause humans harm if breathed in along with dust.Unfortunately, unlike other insects, silverfish stay active all year round and do not go dormant or die during the cold winter months! As long as they have a food source and moist conditions, they can spread and will keep reproducing. Silverfish females can lay up to 3500 eggs at a time, which is why it is important to keep these insects in check and avoid infestations.How to prevent silverfish infestations?Silverfish are problematic insects and very difficult to catch as they reproduce quickly and can survive for long periods without any food. They are very fast creatures and their flat bodies make it possible for them to squeeze into tight spaces and hide from humans. They are also nocturnal in nature, which can make people unaware that they have silverfish in their homes until significant damage is done!There are a few ways to keep silverfish at bay and prevent them from slowly eating you out of house and home! To prevent silverfish from entering your space in the first place, make sure that you dust and clean your house regularly because silverfish are attracted to cellulose, which is present heavily in dust. Silverfish may also make their way into your home through holes made by water damage, so you may have leaky pipes or clogged drains present in your home which need fixing. Silverfish prefer to live in dark and damp spaces, where they can hide and breed in peace. Make sure to regularly check and clean any such spaces in your homes such as basements, closets, and pantries. In order to keep your house from becoming too damp or moist, make sure you have proper ventilation and open your windows for a few hours each day to let the air flow reach all corners of the house.Keep any dry foods such as grains, cereal, and sugar packed in sealed, airtight containers in the pantry as silverfish consider these as food sources and will destroy them in order to nourish themselves. Make sure there is no standing or stagnant water anywhere in your home as this can attract silverfish. Keep all the gutters and any decorative ponds and pools clean at all times, and schedule regular cleanings.Keep all your important documents and memorabilia, as well as any paper money, in sealed plastic bags and containers, away from damp areas in the house. Avoid storing anything too important in the basement because silverfish thrive in dark places. Silverfish may also feed on clothing, so clean out your closets regularly.You can protect the drywall of your house by making sure that it is well painted and covered with waterproof sealant. Any gaps or cracks between walls or windows should be promptly fixed to ensure no way for these insects to enter your home.If the infestations get out of hand, then do not delay in calling pest control in order to rid your home of these insects. Your small pest problems may grow into a large menace if not contained, which is why it is better to spend on pest control and rid yourselves of the problem entirely than losing important things and sustaining structural damage.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Are silverfish dangerous? Must-know steps to get rid of silverfish then Why not take a look at are foxes omnivores? Interesting facts about foxes diets for kids, or Are garden snakes poisonous? Shredding the truth on yard snakes?
Silverfish are metallic creatures which despite their name are not fish, but insects!
