Identification & Types >Other Pest
| Silverfish | |
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Silverfish are eight-legged insects with scales on their bodies that allow them to move in a quick, curving manner that resembles that of a fish. These insects are always wingless and are silvery to brown in color because their bodies are covered with fine scales. They have three long tail projections and two long antennae. Silverfish are often missed by homeowners because they are nocturnal and can run very quickly. |
| Firebrat | |
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Silverfish and firebrats are very similar in appearance. They both wingless, having a fish-like appearance and their flat body, which is tapered at both ends, is covered by overlapping scales. Firebrats, as their name would suggest, survive best in hot, moist places. They all prefer a dark, moist environment and require a large supply of starchy foods or molds. |
| Millipedes | |
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Millipedes are brownish, elongated, cylindrical to slightly flattened creatures, with two (most common) or four pairs of tiny legs per body segment. When they walk, their legs move in a rolling wavelike movement. Millipedes are not poisonous, but many species have glands capable of producing irritating fluids which may produce allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to insects or insect toxins. |
| Centipede | |
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House centipedes are common arthropods with long, flattened, segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment. They are distant relatives of lobsters, crayfish and shrimp. Unlike their aquatic cousins, centipedes and millipedes are land dwellers, but they do prefer moist habitats or areas of high humidity. The house centipede is up to 1 1/2 inches long and has 15 pairs of very long, almost thread-like, slender legs. Each leg is encircled by dark and white bands. |
Silverfish
Silverfish are eight-legged insects with scales on their bodies that allow them to move in a quick, curving manner that resembles that of a fish. These insects are always wingless and are silvery to brown in color because their bodies are covered with fine scales. They have three long tail projections and two long antennae. Silverfish are often missed by homeowners because they are nocturnal and can run very quickly. Sometimes, silverfish are found in bathtubs and sinks. They crawl in seeking food or moisture and can't climb out. Silverfish are chewing insects and broad feeders, but prefer carbohydrates and protein, including flour, dried meat, oats, paper, cereal, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, and even glue.
SIZE
1/2 to 1 inch (12.7-25.4mm)
COLOR
Brown or silver-gray
HABITAT
Silverfish prefer cool, moist, dark places with temperatures between 70o - 80° F and a relative humidity between 75% - 95%. Once inside a home, they are usually found trapped in a bathtub or sink. Outdoors, silverfish normally live under rocks, logs, bark and leafs, including birds’ nest.
LIFE CYCLE
Female silverfish lay up to 50 eggs at once but only lay up to 100 eggs during their lifespan. The lifespan of a silverfish is generally between two and eight years..
CONTROL
Removing old papers, boxes, books, and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places.
INTERESTING FACTS: They can go for up to one year without food.
Firebrat
Silverfish and firebrats are very similar in appearance. They both wingless, having a fish-like appearance and their flat body, which is tapered at both ends, is covered by overlapping scales. Firebrats, as their name would suggest, survive best in hot, moist places. They all prefer a dark, moist environment and require a large supply of starchy foods or molds.
SIZE
1/2 inch
COLOR
Grayish with dark markings
HABITAT
Firebrats normally live outdoors under rocks, logs, bark and dead leaf. Occasionally, they are found in bathtubs where they crawl in to seek food or moisture and cannot climb out.
LIFE CYCLE
Adults lay eggs in small groups containing up to 50 eggs. The eggs are very small and deposited in cracks and crevices. A female normally lays less than 100 eggs during her lifespan of two to eight years. Under ideal conditions, the eggs hatch in two weeks, but may take up to two months to hatch.
CONTROL
Removing old papers, boxes, books, and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places.
Centipedes
House centipedes are common arthropods with long, flattened, segmented bodies with one pair of legs per segment. They are distant relatives of lobsters, crayfish and shrimp. Unlike their aquatic cousins, centipedes and millipedes are land dwellers, but they do prefer moist habitats or areas of high humidity. The house centipede is up to 1 1/2 inches long and has 15 pairs of very long, almost thread-like, slender legs. Each leg is encircled by dark and white bands.
SIZE
1 to 1 ½ inch long
COLOR
The body is brown to grayish-yellow and has three dark stripes on top.
HABITAT
Centipedes are found both indoors and outdoors. Once inside a home, they are usually found in the bathroom or bedroom wall. However, these locations are not where they normally originate. Centipedes prefer to live in damp portions of basements, closets, bathrooms, unexcavated areas under the house and underneath the bark of wood. They do not come up through the drain pipes, but will sneak in on the outside of the drain pipe.
LIFE CYCLE
Adult centipedes overwinter in secluded moist places. Eggs are usually placed in damp soil in the spring and summer. Some centipede species add segments and legs as they grow; others are born with a complete set. Centipedes require 2 to 3 years to mature, and have been known to live 6 years.
CONTROL
House centipede control consists of drying up and cleaning, as much as possible, the areas that serve as habitat and food source for centipedes. Residual insecticides can be applied to usual hiding places such as crawl spaces, dark corners in basements, baseboard cracks and crevices, openings in concrete slabs, under shelves, around stored boxes, and so forth.
Millipedes
Millipedes are brownish, elongated, cylindrical to slightly flattened creatures, with two (most common) or four pairs of tiny legs per body segment. When they walk, their legs move in a rolling wavelike movement.
Millipedes are not poisonous, but many species have glands capable of producing irritating fluids which may produce allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to insects or insect toxins. A few millipede species are capable of squirting these fluids over a distance of several inches. Persons handling millipedes will notice a lingering odor on their hands and the fluid can be dangerous to the eyes. It is not advisable to handle millipedes, but when one has been held, hands should be washed with soap and water until the odor is completely gone.
SIZE
Range from ½ to 1 ¼-inches in length.
HABITAT
Millipedes feed on living and decomposing vegetation and occasionally on dead snails, earthworms and insects. Slight feeding injury can occur on soft-stemmed plants, in gardens, and in greenhouses. They cannot tolerate water-saturated soil, which forces them to the surface and higher ground. Likewise, dry, drought conditions can stimulate migration.
CONTROL
Millipede control consists of drying up and cleaning, as much as possible, the areas that serve as habitat and food source for millipede. Residual insecticides can be applied to usual hiding places such as crawl spaces, dark corners in basements, baseboard cracks and crevices, openings in concrete slabs, under shelves, around stored boxes, and so forth.