- LAST UPDATED: May 21, 2024
Silverfish and their eggs are commonly found in dark, moist areas such as basements, attics, and bathrooms. Silverfish eggs can be difficult to spot due to their tiny size and whitish color. If silverfish eggs are left undetected, the population will continue to thrive.
Understanding the characteristics and behavior of silverfish eggs can help homeowners identify and eliminate infestations before they become a major problem.
Read on to discover more about silverfish eggs.
- Boric Acid 20.0%
- Dekko Silverfish Paks are to be used in residential housing (indoors and attics), basements, closets, bookcases, around household clothing and fabric containers, drawers, and also rugs and carpets.
- Dekko Silverfish apply at approximately 2 oz per 100 square feet or 1 quart per 250 square feet
What To Know About Silverfish & Their Eggs
Reproduction
Male and female silverfish release pheromones, which are chemicals that play a vital role in initiating their congregation. Silverfish participate in a courtship ritual that is crucial for successful mating. During this dance, the male and female touch their antennae and pursue each other for several minutes.
Once the female is receptive, the male deposits a protected capsule filled with sperm, which the female picks up. To prevent the capsule from drying out, the male places it on a damp surface. This explains why it is common to see adult silverfish clustered around areas with moisture during mating season.
The moist environment is crucial for the survival of the sperm capsule and the continuation of the species. Female silverfish then deposit their fertilized eggs in cracks and crevices in their surrounding environment. These eggs are usually hard to detect without a microscope due to their small size.
It is worth mentioning that although silverfish usually mate only once, females are capable of reproducing throughout their adult life, laying multiple batches of eggs.
Life Cycle
Silverfish are primitive, wingless, ametabolous insects. Ametabolous means there is no metamorphosis and immature forms resemble adult forms. The life cycle consists of only three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. Silverfish thrive in almost any environment, but they prefer humid conditions for optimal growth.
Under optimal conditions, such as a warm and humid environment with plenty of food, silverfish can reach maturity in about four months. In cooler climates with lower temperatures or less abundant food sources, it can take silverfish up to two years to develop into adults.
Eggs
Silverfish lay their eggs in secret hidden places around a home, making them tough to discover. These sneaky pests can produce one to three eggs per day in clusters of up to twenty, regardless of the time of year. The eggs of silverfish have a distinctive elliptical shape and measure around 1 mm in length.
When first laid, they are soft and white, but after a few hours, they become harder and turn yellowish in color. Once laid, these eggs can take anywhere between 20 to 40 days to hatch, depending on the species and climate conditions.
Nymphs
Baby silverfish, also known as nymphs, emerge from their eggs as tiny replicas of the adult form. They have elongated antennae and tapered bodies ending in three appendages that fan out like a fishtail. When nymphs first hatch, they are white and somewhat translucent, giving their bodies a softer and more delicate look than those of adult silverfish.
They undergo multiple molts throughout their lifespan, often exceeding 50 molts for some species. During each molting process, the silverfish may look white or translucent as their new exoskeleton is not fully developed and remains soft. With each molt, the silverfish shed their skin and develop a new exoskeleton. As the exoskeleton hardens, the silverfish’s distinctive gray-silver coloration becomes more prominent, gradually taking on the characteristic silver hue that inspired their name.
Adults
The size of adult silverfish can fluctuate depending on multiple factors, including the species. Generally, they grow to be about half an inch in length. Adults are teardrop-shaped with tiny scales covering their bodies with a silvery or grayish-blue hue.
Silverfish have three long antennae at the front of their body and a pair of long, slender appendages at the rear, which they use for movement. They move in a wriggling motion that resembles the movement of a fish swimming through water.
Lifespan
The development and lifespan of baby silverfish can be heavily influenced by the environment. Typically, silverfish tend to mature more rapidly and have a longer lifespan in warmer temperatures. Under ideal conditions, silverfish can live for approximately three years.
Where To Find Silverfish Eggs & How To Get Rid Of Them
Once female silverfish reach the adult stage, they continuously lay eggs in crevices and cracks around a home, on cloth, or buried in food or dust. These eggs typically hatch within three weeks. Silverfish can be found in various areas of a home, including basements, sinks, bathtubs, closet shelves, behind baseboards, bookcases, windows, and door frames.
They are also known for their preference for moist areas with room temperatures ranging from 70°F to 90°F.
Control Methods
Over-the-counter and DIY silverfish control methods often fail to effectively address the issue of silverfish eggs, which is a crucial aspect of the infestation. This can occur for a variety of reasons, such as the ingredients in the products being ineffective against the eggs, a lack of knowledge among homeowners regarding the appearance and location of the eggs, or only killing the nymphs and adults.
Furthermore, silverfish lay eggs throughout the year, exacerbating the problem. Even if one manages to locate and eliminate the eggs, the sheer quantity of eggs can be overwhelming, leading to difficulty in fully eradicating the infestation.
What To Do
- Long Lasting - Continues to kill roaches, palmetto bugs, water bugs and silverfish for weeks after application as long as it's kept dry
- Fast Acting - Insects coming into contact with the powder will die within 72 hours after initial contact
- Easy Application - The puffer bottle makes application quick and simple for difficult to reach areas
- Contains Irresistible Lure - Harris food grade lure attracts roaches from their hiding places
- EPA Registered - Made in the USA & Registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (No. 3-10) for use in homes with people and pets
You should still use traps to catch nymphs and adults to slow down the population growth. To get rid of the eggs, use boric acid. Boric acid is a natural solution for controlling and effectively killing silverfish and their eggs. It can be easily applied by dusting it in cracks and crevices where silverfish are known to hide.
Since silverfish are nocturnally active, it is recommended to spread boric acid around the infested areas before going to bed and vacuum it up in the morning. It may take multiple applications to fully eliminate the infestation, especially if the problem has been ongoing for some time. However, with persistence and proper application, boric acid can be an effective solution for silverfish control.
Make sure you follow any precautions when handling boric acid and when using it around small children and pets.
Conclusion
Silverfish eggs can be difficult to detect and eliminate, which can make controlling a silverfish infestation challenging. Traditional remedies may not be effective against silverfish eggs, leading to frustration and an ongoing problem.
However, boric acid can be a useful solution to kill both silverfish and their eggs. By spreading boric acid around the areas where silverfish are present, including their hiding places and cracks and crevices, and vacuuming it up in the morning, you can help eliminate the infestation over time.
Overall, take a proactive approach to silverfish control. Use effective methods like boric acid to help prevent future infestations and keep your home silverfish-free.
