Brief Overview
Generally in the UK Silver Fish tend to pop out around late August/September. This is simply because this is the time of year where natural humidity levels are high - the earth absorbs all the rains and the heat of the summer then re-evaporates those rains meaning the outdoor atmosphere humidity levels rise.
These little fellows are shiny, scaley, silver coloured wingless insects with antennae. are shiny, silver, wingless insects with antennae.
They have f.at,oval shaped soft bodies. The adults usually grow to around ¾ inch ( 19mm) in body length plus their two antennae plus their three tail projections.
ltTh like dark, damp/moist areas and tend to avoid direct sunlight so they can often give you a 'stir' if you uncover their hiding spot, where they will then dart out frantically looking for a new 'hidey hole'.
Often they can be seen scurrying around exposed timber ffloors during evening times as they check out the gaps between floorboards.
Spotting the First Signs of Silverfish
The first signs that you may have silver fish in your home is always visual because their silver, scales reflect in light as they scurry around.
What do they get up to?
Adult Females lay their eggs in crevices and cracks around your home.
Those eggs will then hatch anywhere between 3
and eight weeks later.
The young hatchlings then take around four to six weeks before reaching their adult form, so they can become large families quite quickly.
Preventing Silverfish Infestations
Silverfish grow in damp, dark, and cool places. Large populations can grow in buildings with damp brick, stone, and timbers so it's often worth getting a Survey carried out by someone who knows more about traditional builds than the modern day chemical sales people out there!
You can often find them in and around:
- Cellars
- Sinks
- Baths and showers
- Cupboard shelves
- Behind skirting boards
- Around Bookcases
- Behind windows
- Behind door frames
- Laundry room
It's simply a case of good house keeping is needed!
Heritage Lane's Approach to Silverfish
Silver Fish are harmless to people but they do love humid and moist conditions, so, as with beetle presence, the first thing to ask yourself is: what story are these little chaps telling me? They are telling you that your home is too humid, so managing and reducing that humidity in your home will result in the Silver Fish finding somewhere new to live and breed.
Managing moisture which you create inside your home - our video below gives some pointers of what to be aware of:
Save your Money! Do Not call for pest control
Far too many people today immediately think they must have an instant remedy to everything without even giving A seconds thought to the damage they are creating! Paying out money for someone to pump harmful chemicals around your home is not the answer when opening windows and managing your own created moisture is, and won't damage the home occupant's lungs!