Date Posted: March 15, 2016
Category: Pest Control, Silverfish
You know the drill. You stumble into the kitchen in the middle of the night for a drink of water, or reach into your cupboard to pull out a baking pan and are startled by a tiny, scaly-looking, silvery little bug that scurries away seemingly at the speed of light. Silverfish are one of the strangest little bugs that you may encounter in your home. Although they look somewhat prehistoric and creepy, they really are quite harmless – well, to humans anyway. So, for the 411 of fun facts on silverfish just read on!
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Some say that silverfish actually roamed the earth with the dinosaurs (or before).
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Silverfish cannot grip flat surfaces.
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They hate the smell of citrus.
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The only known predators of silverfish are spiders.
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Ants and termites actually use silverfish as hosts.
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Silverfish have a lifespan of 3-6 years on average but can live up to 8 years.
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These bugs can go up to a year without eating.
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They run extremely fast.
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Silverfish can jump up to 2 feet vertically.
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They are immune to most bug poisons.
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Silverfish love vegetable matter and will eat paper, glue, cardboard, toothpaste, silk, cotton, pasta, mold, cereals, and much more.
Now that you have a list of fun facts on silverfish, here is the answer to that ever pressing question, “Do silverfish bite?” No! No, they do not bite humans. As creepy as they may seem they are relatively harmless little creatures from a human standpoint. They are, however, considered to be household pests because they can cause moderate damage to your home and your possessions. Silverfish can put holes in your clothing or leave yellow stains on them as they feed. They can contaminate your dried food items stored in your pantry, and they can damage wallpaper, pictures, and other keepsakes. And, there is one more thought to consider. Since silverfish eat mold, are food for spiders, and host termites and ants, it is possible that you may have more than just a silverfish problem in your home.
The very best way to keep your home and belongings safe from silverfish, and those other unwanted pests, is to partner with Big Blue Bug Solutions. If you live in our service area of Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, you can protect your home year-round with our year-round residential pest services. We have been eliminating common pests from homes for over 75 years and have the experience and certification to safely and effectively eliminate pests from yours too.
If you are noticing silverfish, or any other pests, roaming your counters, floors, and hallways at night (or any other time of the day!) just give us a call. We will be happy to dispatch one of our certified pest control specialists to your home to take care of those pests.
