Insect silverfish - common silverfish and how to deal with it
Silverfish are primitive insects, which are also called silverfish. These wingless creatures are very fond of a humid environment and can go without food for about 300 days. They can appear in the kitchen or bathroom, which will greatly upset the owners.
Content
Silverfish: photo
Description of the pest
Name: Common or sugar silverfish
Latin:Lepisma saccharinaClass: Insects - Insecta
Squad: bristletails - Zygentoma
Family: Silverfish - Lepismatidae
 | Habitats: | wet parts of the house |
 | Dangerous for: | products, paper, interior items |
 | Means of destruction: | traps, unpleasant odors, chemicals |
There are about 190 species of silverfish. About 10 species live in temperate latitudes. The insect resembles a flycatcher, although the latter have longer legs. Many scientists believe that the homeland of insects is the tropics.
Life cycle
The life span of the insect is about 3 years.
One generation develops over several months in nature. When the temperature rises in a couple of months, individuals appear that can develop and mate.
About 10 representatives are needed to increase the population. Together they can create a family and lay eggs. Eggs are white. They have an oval shape. The size does not exceed 1 mm.
As they develop, the eggs become darker with a brown tint. The duration of maturation of eggs at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius is about 40 days, and at 30 degrees - 25 days.
The second stage of development is characterized by the absence of scales. They appear after the end of the second molt. Moulting occurs 5 times in larvae and throughout life in adults.
Types of silverfish
Common scalefish.
Of the main varieties can be distinguished:
- ordinary or sugar - may have a gray, whitish, yellowish or light green tint. The females are not fertile. The maximum laying during life is 10 eggs;
- home - size up to 12 mm. Color brown or greenish. Clutch up to 40 eggs. Settles usually in the kitchen;
- comb - an inhabitant of the Crimea;
- ant - settles in an anthill, eating sweet drops of ants.
Diet
Silverfish feed on foods containing proteins, starch, and sugar. The food system is able to digest cellulose, which is the basis of paper. The pest is able to eat wallpaper, starched fabric, plant remains.
Silverfish are not able to bite a person or animal.
Silverfish close-up.
They don't try to get on the pillow or the bed. Insects do not tolerate bacteria or their pathogens. They damage:
- products - they eat household supplies and leave scales with excrement;
- paper products - they can gnaw through books and photographs, which is fraught with the elimination of important information;
- interior and household items - they are saturated with starch, which is in the wallpaper paste or the composition of substances for processing linen. Can damage fabric, wallpaper, paintings, souvenirs.
Reasons for the appearance of silverfish
High humidity is the only reason for the invasion of pests. They enter the room from:
- ventilation pipe - this is how most of all insects get;
- cracks, cracks, loosely closed windows and doors - the miniature size contributes to imperceptible penetration;
- foreign objects - products, boxes from the basement, books, tissues.
Silverfish in the house.
Methods of struggle
A few tips for fighting:
- dry the premises, since dryness and heat do not make it possible to survive, the humidity should be no more than 30%;
- the use of a solution of water with cloves, citrus, lavender will help. Sprayed from a spray bottle 1 time in 7 days;
- from chemicals, boric acid, pyrethrin, bleach, copper sulfate are used;
- set traps in the form of a glass jar, wet paper, mechanical devices for catching cockroaches, leftover food is suitable for bait.
preventive measures
To prevent the appearance of insects, it is necessary:
- seal cracks and crevices;
- install mosquito nets;
- control and degrease new items;
- ventilate the room (especially the bathroom and toilet);
- do general cleaning (treat ceilings and walls);
- set the air-drying mode in the air conditioner;
- get rid of condensation and moisture;
- close all food.
Conclusion
Silverfish can harm and spoil the mood of people. When the first pests are found, they begin to fight it immediately. However, it is very important to take preventive measures in time to avoid the invasion of unpleasant neighbors.
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