Silverfish are small, ranging from 1/2 to 1 inch long and are silver to grey in colour. They are soft body insects and not often seen by home owners because they are nocturnal by nature and move very quickly. The silverfish is often found in basements, sinks, kitchens, book cases, closets and closet shelves, wallpaper, baseboards, window frames and much more. The adults can lay up to 50 eggs. The eggs are extremely small and usually dropped into cracks or crevices. A female on average lays less than 100 eggs during her life span of 2 to 8 years. If in ideal conditions, it usually takes 2 weeks for the eggs to hatch but can take as long as two months. Silver fish have a preference for dark, moist areas like bathrooms.
There are four types of insects known as silverfish. The most common species would have an even silvery sheen and prefers to live in moister environments. Compared to the common silverfish, the other species of silverfish need higher temperatures to thrive.
Even though silverfish are not directly harmful to humans, their chewing habits can cause destruction of property. Paper, clothing and other items tend to be material that the silverfish chews on. Other items consist of food such as sugar, flour and other products made from these items.
The silverfish is capable of slipping into small places, they are usually found in cupboards, drawers, beneath the bath tub and in the seems of wallpaper. Silverfish enjoy the dark and are most active at night, this makes it difficult, for the average person, to determine whether or not there is an infestation.
