Learn all about silverfish bite symptoms, marks, harmfulness, elimination and allergies caused due to it. Which is the oldest pest known to Earth? Most people will say “the cockroach”. After all, it was here in the time of the dinosaurs. But there’s a household pest which is much older than roaches. It is also one of the first animals to colonize land and evolution has changed little from the Devonic period. It’s the silverfish.
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless insects of the Thysanura order that get their name from their silvery-blue appearance and fishlike movements. They are also known as paramites, carpet sharks or fish moths; sometimes they are confused with firebrats, another very similar insect of the Thysanusa order.
Silverfish are approximately one half inch to an inch in length. Their bodies are elongated and flattened with a tapered abdomen at the end, giving the appearance of a fish tail. Adult silverfish have a grayish hue and metallic shine (young are more whitish and lack the distinctive metallic shine). They can also be identified by the three sets of appendages (called cerci) on the sides of their body. The silverfish has two large antennae but lacks wings.
They do not carry any known disease from pre-historic times. Yet they have acquired a fine taste for old books, leather clothing, quality wallpapers and other everyday objects we don’t want to see consumed by an out-of-control insect population. We discuss the silverfish, its appearance, habits, diet and its classification as a vermin.
By nature, silverfish are arthropods which are considered by many as some of the most primitive living insects. Killing silverfish bugs is not an easy thing, since they hide in different dark, protected places and reproduce very quickly. They are nocturnal (i.e. they’re mostly active at night) and may remain unnoticed for a long time.
What is Silverfish
Silverfish are tiny bugs which can usually be found in kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms and dark, isolated areas within the home. Silverfish come in a bunch of varieties, are pretty creepy-looking, and get their name from their silvery or gray color. Silverfish are nocturnal insects typically 13–25 mm (0.5–1.0 in) long. Their abdomens taper at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance. The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older. They have two long cerci and one terminal filament at the tips of their abdomens; the filament projects directly off of the end of their body, between the left and right cerci. They also have two small compound eyes.
Silverfish bite Pain & Treatment
Silverfish bite symptoms might not occur at all. If there is a silverfish infestation in your home and you wake up with red marks on your skin, it’s possible they might be caused by the silverfish. A silverfish infestation should be treated immediately. Otherwise, there are risks of leaving the pest population to increase to levels which will be very hard to handle with just one silverfish treatment.
Silverfish bite Symptoms
Silverfish bite symptoms include allergies if a person gets bitten by a silverfish or if one inhales shed from the exoskeleton of the silverfish. Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis might occur respiratory problems might also appear if a person is too sensitive to these insects.
Some of the most common symptoms of being bitten by silverfish remain the following:
- Red linear marks on your skin (might be caused not from a bite but from contact with the insect)
- Seeing silverfish on you
- Nose inflammation
- Respiratory allergy
- Feeling sharp pain similar to those of an ant bite
- Itch (usually remaining not more than a day)
- Silverfish bite Marks
- Silverfish bite marks are not so commonly seen in people. When a silverfish eats something, they will leave a distinct bite and chewing mark that is very similar to the way that a caterpillar will
- Chew threw the leaf of a plant.
Silverfish bite harmful
Silverfish are scary looking and are a bit intimidating to look at, but they do not bite, nor do they sting. In fact, silverfish fall into the nuisance pest category and are more likely to damage items in your home, including books, photos and wallpaper. Generally, they are harmless. People just consider them a nuisance and don’t want them around. Silverfish do not carry diseases. They will not bite you, and they typically keep to themselves and stay out of your way.
Silverfish Elimination/Control
Silverfish are not dangerous to humans, but they can do a lot of damage to property due to their feeding habits. Silverfish feed on matter containing polysaccharides, especially starches and dextrin.
- Spices, bay leaves, whole cloves and sage have a scent which the silverfish hates. Put the spices around home where the insects are seen.
- Diatomaceous earth can dehydrate the silverfish. Just dust over hiding places.
- Cucumber is an easy and effective way. These pests don’t like the scent, so if you place the cucumber slices in hiding places, you will get rid of them.
- Citrus essential oils they need to be 100% pure. Mix it with some water put the combination in a spray bottle. Use it.
Silverfish bite Allergy
Silver fish bite allergies include nose inflammation and allergic rhinitis to those who have hypersensitivity to the insect. Silverfish may indeed cause allergies to anyone who makes contact with the insect and is prone to any of the allergic reactions. The allergen, associated to silverfish allergies is called tropomyosin. It can be found in foods such as shrimps and shellfish. Children who have other kinds of respiratory allergies are extremely prone to silverfish allergies as well. If you have a family member who is not resistant to the silverfish, do not allow any silverfish infestation to get out of control at your property. If one already occurs, seek for a comprehensive way to exterminate the pest.
