Skip to Content
Top

What Silverfish Are Attracted To

|

While they may look repulsive and cause damage around the home, silverfish are just like any other creature out there looking to survive. It just so happens that its means for survival are found in our homes, which they access through entry points near water-damaged walls. In particular, the silverfish will gain entry when the wood is damaged. But what exactly attracts the silverfish?

Protein and Carbohydrates

Silverfish have a diet composed of protein and carbohydrates, with their favorite meals including book bindings, cardboard, insulation, glue, paper, starch, flour, dead insects, dried dried-out, and oats among others. They do not need a lot of food to survive. In fact, they can go for a full year without eating. Combine that with their widely available food sources, and you have a pest that can survive for a very long time inside a building.

Moisture

Moisture is essential to the survival of silverfish. They will be drawn to areas that are high in humidity, particularly in the damp corners found in laundry rooms, garages, kitchens, bathrooms and attics. Silverfish do not need to drink water, and instead, they draw it in from the surrounding atmosphere. This is why reducing humidity in the home can be an effective prevention and control method.

Safety

Despite their offputting appearance, silverfish are not harmful at all. They are not predatory to other insects and they lack most means of self-defense. To counteract this natural frailty, they will look for areas where they can feel safe, with few natural predators. They are mostly active at night as well, and they will always scurry away at the first sign of trouble.

Darkness

Darkness is essential to the silverfish. It will forage for food at night, travel during the night, and nest in dark nooks and crannies. The silverfish do not like brightness or high temperatures, and they will often relocate to cooler areas of the home during the summer, such as the basement.

These traits of the silverfish can be used to find out if you have an infestation or to find their nests. If you look in areas of the home that are humid, cool and dark, you might be able to find the reclusive silverfish. You can then use diatomaceous earth or other products that are available on the market to remove the infestation. However, if the infestation persists after that, it’s best to get in touch with a pro. Contact us today for silverfish pest control.