Silverfish

Silverfish are slender, wingless insects, shiny silver in appearance, approximately 10mm long with three, long bristletails at the end of their body. They can be found in moist places such as kitchens and bathrooms, underneath floors, sinks, in cupboards, and along pipes where they hide during the day and feed during the night. They are extremely fast runners and are sometimes seen trapped in wash hand basins or baths where they are unable to climb out. Silverfish are scavengers and can cause damage in the home by eating materials such as wallpaper, or books and other materials that are high in protein, sugar, starch, cereals. They are easily controlled with sprays.

Silverfish: Description & Life Cycle

Silverfish are a very common household intruder. They do not carry germs or spread disease and so their presence does not constitute a risk to health

Description:

Silverfish are long, slim, scaly, segmented, wingless insects
about 12mm (0.5 inches) in length and are silvery and glistening in appearance
with a pair of long fine antennae at the front and three tail-like appendages at the rear
they feed on gums and glues of bookbinding, fragments of dead insects and may also eat textiles such as cotton and linen
they seldom damage fibres of animal origin such as wool or hair

Life cycle:

Silverfish females may lay over 100 eggs during a lifetime
she lays them in damp and warm places such as cracks and crevices or behind skirting boards
the eggs hatch after two to eight weeks depending upon conditions
newly hatched insects are about 2mm long and look like miniature adults
they live for between three or four months in warm humid conditions, but for between two and three years in cooler, dryer areas.