Nocturnal and growing up to 25 millimetres long, the silverfish is a tiny insect that can cause a massive disruption in your home. Their main goal in life is to eat fibre and breed. These pests love the damp environments often found in our homes, and infestations can easily get out of hand before we even notice them.
In just a few minutes, find out everything you need to know about silverfish and how Pest Managers, your trusted Cape Town pest control company, can help solve the problem.
What Are Silverfish?
Known scientifically as Lepisma saccharinum, silverfish are believed to be one of the oldest insect species on earth. In fact, fossils show they have been around for over 400 million years!
They get their name from their shiny, metallic appearance and the fish-like way they wiggle when they move. You might also hear them called “bristletails” because of the bristle-like pieces on their tails.
Because they don’t have wings, venom, or fangs, silverfish rely on running extremely fast to escape predators like spiders. However, they can only reach top speed on flat, horizontal surfaces.
Where do they live?
Silverfish love humid, damp areas. Because of the wet winters, Cape Town homes are often the perfect environment for them. They love hiding in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, bathtubs, and basements where the humidity is high. Because they are so good at hiding, homeowners often only realise there is a problem after property has already been damaged.
How Do Silverfish Get Inside?
Silverfish often hitch a ride into homes and office buildings inside cardboard boxes, old books, or stacks of paper.
Once inside, they are happy to travel long distances to find food. They breed quickly in hidden areas like wall spaces or under floorboards. A female silverfish can lay between 1 and 3 eggs every single day.
Because they breed so fast and can live for up to 3 years, it is highly recommended to contact a pest control expert in Cape Town as soon as you spot them.
What Do Silverfish Eat?
Silverfish love anything that contains starch or natural fibres. They will literally eat through your wallpaper just to eat the glue underneath! Their favourite foods include:
Books and paper
Clothing (cotton, linen, and silk)
Carpets and tapestries
Glue and hair
Photos
Plaster and paint
They also enjoy snacking on sugar, rolled oats, and even dead insects. Amazingly, a silverfish can survive for a whole year without eating anything at all, as long as it has access to water.
Are Silverfish Harmful to Humans?
Silverfish are mostly a threat to your property, not your body. They do not bite, and they do not spread diseases.
However, they can cause allergies. Some people are allergic to the droppings and moulted skin that silverfish leave behind. If you already suffer from dust mite allergies, a silverfish infestation can make your symptoms feel much worse.
If you have a lot of important paperwork, old books, or expensive clothing, these bugs will eventually destroy them if left untreated.
Signs of a Silverfish Infestation
How do you know if you have a silverfish problem? Look out for these common signs:
Feeding marks: Look for holes, notches, or scraped surfaces on paper or cardboard.
Droppings: You might see tiny, pepper-like pellets on your belongings (this is silverfish faeces).
Yellow stains: You may spot strange yellow stains on clothes, paper, or underneath boxes.
How to Prevent a Silverfish Infestation
Prevention is the best way to keep your home pest-free. Here are some easy tips to make your home less attractive to silverfish:
Control the moisture: Fix leaking pipes and drains. If a room gets very damp, consider buying a dehumidifier.
Ventilate your home: Open windows after showering or cooking to let the steam out.
Seal your food: Keep dry foods (like oats and sugar) in airtight containers.
Store clothes properly: Pack away out-of-season clothing in sealed, plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes.
Seal up cracks: Use filler to close off small cracks and holes in your walls or skirting boards to stop them from breeding.
Clear yard debris: Remove damp, dead leaves and rotting wood from the outside walls of your house, as these attract bugs.
DIY Methods for Silverfish Removal
If you spot a silverfish, your best option is to call a professional. However, if you want to try a few home remedies first, here are some DIY options:
1. Glass Jar Traps
Place some starchy food (like oats) inside a glass jar. Wrap the outside of the jar with masking tape so the bugs can grip it to climb up. Once they fall inside to eat the food, they won’t be able to climb up the smooth, slippery glass to get out.
2. Wet Newspaper Traps
Roll up an old newspaper, make it slightly damp with water, and leave it on the floor overnight. Silverfish love damp paper and will crawl inside. The next morning, throw the newspaper away (or burn it) before they escape.
3. Cedar Oil
Silverfish hate the strong smell of cedar wood. You can put cedar oil and water in a spray bottle and spray it in dark corners. (Note: Please be careful using essential oils if you have small pets like birds or rodents, as it can make them sick).
4. Dried Bay Leaves
Just like cedar, silverfish hate the smell of bay leaves. Scatter dried bay leaves in your cupboards and drawers to chase them away.
When to Call a Cape Town Pest Control Expert
DIY tricks can help, but trying to use store-bought poisons can be dangerous if you have children or pets in the house. Plus, it rarely stops the problem permanently.
Hiring a qualified Cape Town pest control company like Pest Managers is the easiest, safest way to get rid of a silverfish infestation. We use eco-friendly products and know exactly where these tricky bugs hide. Our team can also spot the hidden entry points in your home and advise you on how to seal them up for good.
Need Help with Silverfish?
Don’t let silverfish destroy your home and belongings. Pest Managers specialises in eco-friendly, guaranteed pest eradication across the Western Cape.
Contact us today for a free quote!