Silverfish

Natural habitat of silverfish is hidden in leaf litter, under rocks and logs and in other natural crevices. They are active all year round and exist throughout Ontario. Silverfish are typically considered a pest species when they migrate into and infest our properties. They gain access to our properties through exterior holes and cracks and by being attached to various items such as bags, boxes, other contaminated materials and on humans. They prefer to dwell in dark, damp environments. Silverfish are nocturnal so they are active at night and avoid direct sunlight by hiding during the day, which can make them difficult to detect.

Although silverfish are really a harmless nuisance, they are very unpleasant and can cause damage to our personal property. They are scavengers and will feed on crumbs, cereals, dead insects, starch, glue, wallpaper paste, most paper products, mold and fungi. They can also stain and damage fabric, paper, books or wallpaper. Damage to these items can be significant if very large infestations have been present over a long period of time. Once they find their food source, they will typically stay close to it. When silverfish live indoors, they can found in basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms and are commonly found nesting in dirty clothes piles, in books, in storage units, in boxes, in garages and sheds.