Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) – Silently Chewing Through Your Belongings

Who Are These Shimmering Creepers?

Silverfish are ancient, wingless insects known for their silvery scales and quick, fish-like movements. While they don’t bite or spread disease, they’re notorious for damaging paper, fabric, wallpaper glue, and even pantry goods.

Why Silverfish Are a Problem in Florida Homes:
– Thrive in warm, humid areas like bathrooms, attics, and closets.
– Feed on starches and sugars found in books, wallpaper glue, photos, and clothing.
– Active at night and hard to spot until the damage is done.
– Often found in new builds or during remodeling — drawn to glue, adhesives, and cardboard.

RexPest’s Silverfish Control Process:
– Full inspection of moisture-prone areas: bathrooms, under sinks, basements, and attics.
– Use of desiccating dusts, residual sprays, and insect growth regulators (IGRs).
– Strategic baiting and exclusion of baseboards, wall cracks, and access points.
– Advice on ventilation improvements and humidity reduction.

Florida Home Cases:
1. In Spring Hill, a book collector called us after noticing strange holes in rare comic books stored in a guest room closet. Silverfish had chewed through sleeves and pages.
2. A Brooksville homeowner was remodeling a bathroom when silverfish were spotted in the drywall glue and under the tub liner.
3. In Hudson, silverfish were discovered behind framed art, inside storage bins, and around HVAC closet corners.

Fun Facts & Trivia:
– Silverfish have existed for over 400 million years — older than dinosaurs!
– They can survive up to a year without food.
– Known to molt up to 60 times in their lives — they never stop growing.
– Their ideal environment? 70–80% humidity and dark, undisturbed areas.

Prevention Tips for Homeowners:
– Use dehumidifiers in bathrooms, closets, and basements.
– Store papers, books, and clothing in sealed plastic bins.
– Caulk cracks around baseboards, pipes, and window frames.
– Fix leaky faucets and improve ventilation in damp areas.

Challenges in Treatment:
– DIY traps only catch a few and don’t stop hidden breeding zones.
– Store-bought sprays can stain surfaces and don’t address humidity issues.
– Silverfish reproduce slowly but can live for years if untreated.

Why Choose RexPest?
We don’t just remove silverfish — we help you eliminate the conditions that attract them. Our solutions are low-odor, pet-safe, and tailored for Florida homes. With RexPest, your books, keepsakes, and closets stay protected.

Seeing Shiny Bugs in the Bathroom or Closet? Schedule a Free RexPest Inspection Today and Save Your Stuff.