Silverfish and their closely related cousins, the firebrats, are among the most widely distributed insects in the world. The home owner who does not see one at least occasionally is rare. Silverfish prefer cooler and damper conditions than firebrats who like it hot – over 90 or even 100 degrees f.

Silverfish and firebrats, sometime called “bristletails” are easily recognized buy their carrot-like shape and their “bristles” or tails. Silverfish have an incomplete metamorphosis and the immature stages look like miniature versions of the adults. They are among the most primitive insects around, even older than the cockroaches. Silverfish are at times pest of grain products, fabrics and paper, and probably scavenge on dead animals and other insects. They are also cannibalistic when the opportunity presents itself. Silverfish are sometimes serious pests of stored books and documents. Often they are more attracted to the glued and sizings than the paper itself. Linen is a favorite food. They also eat cotton, rayon, and even cellophane. Silverfish have an enzyme called cellulose in their digestive tract that helps them digest the cellulose in paper products. Besides eating a wide variety of materials, they are very hardy insects and are extremely resistant to starvation.

Silverfish damage appears as irregularly shaped holes in paper or fabrics. Book bindings will appear scraped or frayed. Small yellowish stains are sometimes present along with tiny, dark droppings. The presence of silverfish can be determined by coating a sheet of medium-bond typewriter paper with a flour and water paste. Expose the dried paper anywhere for one week, and feeding marks will appear if there are any silverfish in the area.

In the past, toxic baits were the control method of choice. These were often cornstarch or flour mixed with a little sugar and a small amount of insecticide. This method works, but requires a lot of time. Baits will not attract silverfish from any distance so many placements will be needed. Residual sprays are effective if applied where silverfish travel and reapplied as needed. Insecticide dusts provide the best and longest control of silverfish. Dusts are introduced into wall voids, around switch plates, under baseboards, etc. Control of silverfish is often difficult, even for experienced professionals; the most important factor in any silverfish control program is thoroughness.

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