Q: What are silverfish?

A: These are small, wingless, teardrop-shaped insects usually covered with grayish or bronish scales. They have long, thin antennae and long, thin bristle-like appendages at their tail end. They hid in cracks during the daytime and become active after dark. Most of them feed on starches, sugars, and proteins they can get from book bindings, glazed paper, or similar sources, including dead insects. They require high relative humidity (usually 70-90%) to live. Silverfish survive best at 60-80 degrees and may live over 4 years.

• Dry out infested areas to below 65% relative humidity.

• Treat with a properly labeled residual chemical. Dust or wettable powder formulations should work.