SILVERFISH
Ctenolepisma longicaudata

1-1.5cm in length.
Grey and scaly in colour.
Found anywhere in the home

Silverfish are considered to be primitive insects and belong to the insect order Thysanura. Several of these species may enter buildings. Silverfish have flattened scaly bodies and medium to long antennae.

The introduction of cavity brick and veneered styled homes with tiled roofing has created a more favourable living environment for the silverfish. The introduction of fibreglass ceiling insulation has also created ideal breeding grounds for the silverfish.

Silverfish shun light, are mostly omnivorous and eat a variety of foods containing carbohydrates and proteins eg clothes, glue, pastes, starches, flour linen etc. They will not eat animal based materials such as wool unless a vegetable-based product soils it.