What Do Silverfish Eat?
Silverfish are small, wingless insects that are commonly found in households. They are not venomous and are not known to spread diseases. Typically, silverfish live in moist areas.
Silverfish are not dangerous to humans, but they can cause damage to home and furniture. These insects can be especially destructive to paper and books. If you are worried about a silverfish infestation, the best way to get rid of them is to keep them away from your property.
Generally, silverfish like to live in dark, humid, and warm areas. You can make it difficult for them to live in your home by cleaning up their food sources. Using a vacuum cleaner can help.
Silverfish will feed on a wide variety of materials. Their favorite foods include starches, protein, and polysaccharides. Some common materials they eat include cotton, linen, fabrics, and hair. Keeping your home dry can also discourage silverfish.
Silverfish are considered to be about 300 million years old. They are not venomous, but they may irritate sensitive skin. In fact, a silverfish infestation can be triggered by allergies.
The average female silverfish lays between a dozen and a hundred eggs. These eggs are oval in shape and one millimeter in size. It takes about six to ten days for the female to lay her eggs.
The male silverfish deposits a sperm capsule, which the female absorbs. After this, the eggs hatch in about three to six weeks. A newly hatched silverfish looks just like a miniature adult silverfish.