Fish Moth: 10 Tips How to Identify and Rid Of These Insects

What are fish moths?

Fish moths, otherwise known as silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum), are small, wingless insects that belong to the Zygentoma order. They’re named for their silver, metallic shimmer and sea-monster, wiggly passage. But when they consume all the starchy foods and the carbohydrates, they can ruin what you have in your home, making them pests.

What Do Fish Moth Look Like?

• Size: 12–19mm (0.5–0.75 inch) long
• Shape: slim and ovoid, pinches out at back.
• Color: silvery-gray or metallic, due to the tiny scales that adorn their bodies.
• Key Features:
  • Long, thin antennae.
  • Three long, bristle-like appendages on the end of the abdomen
  • It has no wings and a slimy, smooth body.
• Motion: sharp, darting movement similar to that of a fish.

Where Do Fish Moth Live?

According to the Pilau, the fish moths thrive in dark, moist and humid environments, hence their presence in poorly ventilated areas. Typical habitats include:

• Indoors:
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Basements
  • Attics
  • Closets and storage boxes
  • Bookcases and libraries
• Outdoors:
  • And rocks, leaves, or rotting wood.
  • The mulch or higher organics.
• Preferred Conditions:
  • Relative humidity of 75–95%.
  • Heated (74–80 °F or 23–27 °C).

What Are Fish Moth Habits?

• Temparament: Nocturnal; these felines are nocturnal hunters and will hide from predators during the daylight hours.
• Diet: Fish moths are scavengers and will feed on starchy or carbohydrate-rich material, including:
  • Cans of yellow paint and glass doors
  • Fabrics (cotton, linen, silk)
  • Dry goods such as cereal, flour, sugar, etc.
  • Decayed skin, hair, organic stuff, and other horrible detritus
• Reproduction:
  • Other important features: Lay small, oval, white eggs in crevices or cracks.
  • Eggs hatch within 2–4 weeks.
  • Fish moths also take their time; it can take several months for them to reach adulthood.

What’s the Damage by the Fish Moths?

Fish moths are nuisance pests that damage and consume many household items.

1. Books and Paper Products:

• It chews holes in book bindings, wallpaper, and documents.

2. Clothing and textiles:

• They also damage natural fibers, for example cotton, silk and linen

3. Stored Food:

• Contaminate dry-food items like flour, oats and sugar.

4. Artwork and Decorations:

• Organizational materials feast on glues and pastes and organic materials from art or crafts.

5. Carpets and Upholstery:

• These can also wreck rugs and upholstery made of natural fibers.

Read More: Dolphin

How to Get Rid of or Manage Fish Moths

1.Reduce Humidity:

• Use dehumidifiers or fans in damp areas.
• Seal up any leaky pipes and check the ventilation system.

2. Seal cracks:

• Sealing gaps around baseboards and windows and doors keeps them out.

3. Clean Regularly:

• Broom or hand vacuum dust, hair and food crumbs.
• Vacuum areas where fish moths might hide (closets, under furniture)

4. Use Natural Repellents:

• Place cedarwood, bay leaves or cinnamon sticks in places they’re prone to infest.

5. Chemical Solutions:

• Choose an insecticide made for crawling bugs.
• Another utility at this moment in time is to place bait traps to lure and digest fish moths.

6. Food Items, Store, Properly:

• Keep dry foods in airtight containers.
• Store books, photographs or fabrics in sealed plastic tubs.