Silverfish
Silvery, fish-shaped insects that damage books, paper and starchy items in dark, humid areas.
Photo: Mirko Schoenitz (CC0) · public domain/CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
About 12–19 mm, flat, elongated, tapered at the tail with three long tail bristles and two long antennae. Covered in silver-gray scales and moves in a rapid, fish-like wriggling motion. Wingless.
Dark, humid areas: attics, closets, wall voids, bathrooms, basements and behind water heaters. They need high humidity (above 75%) and gravitate toward paper, books, cardboard and natural-fiber clothing.
- Silver-gray insects running when a closet or cabinet is opened
- Irregular holes or notched edges in book spines, wallpaper and cardboard
- Small black pepper-like droppings and yellow staining on paper materials
- A shed skin (molted exoskeleton) in infested areas
Silverfish don't bite or spread disease but damage books, paper files, wallpaper, clothing, and anything containing starch or cellulose. They can go undetected for years in Florida's humid environments.
Rhino treats harborage areas with appropriate products and advises on reducing the humidity (the root cause in Florida homes) via ventilation and dehumidification.
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