Because it is not that known, a lot of people would confuse it with other bugs.
In this post, the silverfish bug is profiled in terms of appearance, nature, and behavior.
Most of all, the bugs that look like silverfish are also narrowed down.
If you are curious about what these could be, read on.
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In this article
What are silverfish?
Its main diet would be sugar, starches, and carbohydrates.
Silverfish bugs are nocturnal, and you would never see them jumping in groups, not even in pairs.
Hence, here are some silverfish facts that you should know about.
What does a silverfish look like?
They also have abdomens that are taper at the tip, making them resemble the look of a fish.
At infancy, silverfish bugs are white in color.
As they mature, they develop a metallic gray color.
Another identifying characteristic of this bug would also be its three hairy cerci at their abdomens tips.
Compared to their cousins in theThysanuraorder who are eyeless, they have two compound eyes.
They also have long antennae, and they wiggle when they move, hence, like a fish.
Related:What Is The Difference Between a Water Bug and a Cockroach?
There are more to this list, but these would be the most akin to silverfish bugs.
1.Firebrats
It is the first on the list because it resembles silverfish the most.
They are the same size as silverfish, and they are also as speedy as them.
Perhaps what sets them apart from silverfish would be their choice of niche.
Silverfish loves dark and damp spaces, but firebrats love heat and high humidity.
2.Millipedes
This one shares the same color and habitat as that of silverfish bugs.
They love moist places, and at youth, they could strike a glistening gray color.
In terms of appearance, they are easy to differentiate.
Millipedes have very long, tubular, and segmented bodies.
Each segment comes with two pairs of legs.
As such, they are highly outdoor species.
On the very rare occasions that you catch one inside the home, they are most likely to die.
But unlike them, jumping bristletails are more common outdoors compared to their silverfish cousins.
They feed on smaller insects and plants.
Their starkest difference to silverfish would be their functional wings and their two appendages instead of three.
But in all other aspects, they are quite the same.
Like silverfish, earwigs thrive in moist, damp, and dark spaces.
They enter the home through holes and crevices.
They also easily attach themselves to old belongings thanks to their speed.
Fun fact, centipedes are predators to silverfish, ants, and evenroaches.
But when it comes to habit, they share some similarities.
When it comes to habitat, they share with silverfish bugs the love for moist and damp places.
As such, you would also find them in closets, cupboards, basements and even in vents.
From the order alone, they are already different from silverfish bugs because isopods are terrestrial crustaceans.
The main similarity between isopods and silverfish bugs would be their habitat and their color.
Isopods love dark and moist environments.
Roly-polies for instance can be found in soils near pipelines and the sewer or niching profusely in basements.
They also have a dark gray color, some are in matte texture while others glisten in light.
FAQs
Are silverfish harmful to humans?
They are also not biters and there are no associated pathogens to silverfish bugs.
Perhaps, the only concern about them is that they still carry harmful bacteria which can contaminate food items.
Are silverfish harmful to pets?
Generally, silverfish bugs are also not harmful to pets because they are very shy insects.
Why do I have silverfish in my home?
One of the most common reasons would be, your home harbors an open food supply.
Other than that, cleanliness is another factor.
What are silverfish a sign of?
Does one silverfish denote an infestation?
As has been mentioned, silverfish bugs can live independently and scavenge on their own.
With this, sighting one silverfish may or may not denote an infestation.
If you are unsure, best consult with a pest control professional.
If you suspect an infestation, it would be good to consultpest control professionals.
It would also be a good move to prohibit the infestation of silverfish bugs at all.
Does vinegar kill silverfish right away?
So, no, vinegar would not help in killing silverfish bugs immediately.
What natural remedies could be done to repel silverfish?
As has been said, these insects are not easily repelled.
Can mothballs kill silverfish?
Will silverfish bugs drown in water?
These wingless insects are not good swimmers.
In fact, they do not know how to swim at all.
This is quite interesting as they are known for their wiggly movement and being named after fishes.
So take this as a fine step in killing off silverfish bugs: submerge them in water.
How do I spot silverfish nests at home?
At what temperature do silverfish thrive?
Silverfish bugs are very adaptive insects.
Do silverfish glow in the dark?
These are nocturnal objects whose bodies emit a soft glow at night.
