There has been a massive increase in silverfish infestations over the past three months according to pest control company Rentokil.

The company said it saw an 89% increase in callouts related to the insects between July and September when compared to the three months between April and June.

It said the increase is due to the insects seeking shelter as temperatures drop.

More than half the callouts were in Dublin, with Kildare, Waterford, Galway and Cork also experiencing high numbers of infestations.

A Silverfish. Image: Chris/Flickr

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant with Rentokil said silverfish number shave been continuously rising over the last few years.

“We have two main species,” he said. “We have the common silverfish and then we have what is known as a grey silverfish.”

“I always explain them as a torpedo shape insect. They have three large bristles coming off their backend, they have two really long antennae on their head that loop back and they move at quite a pace across the floor.

“In a sense that is where they get their name. They are a silvery grey colour and they are sort of like a fish shape.”

Silverfish

He said they reproduce quite quickly in humid conditions, noting that a female can lay up to 60 eggs a day.

“To me they are more of a nuisance pest,” he said. “They feed on cellulose and starch but they can do damage to paintings and things like that. Photographs and plaster; sometimes you will get them in books as well.

“Anything that contains starch and cellulose, especially if it is a little bit damp, they are going to feed on that.”

Infestation

He said the best way to prevent infestation is to ensure they have nothing to feed on.

“It is really about good housekeeping, hoovering, sweeping up debris in the kitchen,” he said.

“Then dehumidification as well. Taking the moisture out of the air, opening your windows, drying the place out a bit.

“Also, anything you have that is quite starchy – pastas, rice’s and cereals, that sort of thing – just make sure it is all kept in sealed containers and if there are any spillages in cupboards or that make sure they are cleaned up quickly.”