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What Are Silverfish And Can They Hurt You?
While silverfish won't typically bother or bite you, they're still a nuisance to your home. Here are some tips on how to deal with these pests.
Silverfish are translucent, multi-legged insects that can scare the you-know-what out of you when found in your home. The good news is they won't bite you — but they can cause significant damage to things like wallpaper, books, clothing, and food.
Here's what you should know about these silvery pests that move like fish, including how to evict them from your home.
Silverfish belong to the species Lepisma saccharina. Entomologists believe silverfish are the descendants of insects that date back millions and millions of years. Other names people may use for silverfish include fish moths and bristletails because of the three long appendages at the end of their bodies.
Additional key aspects to know about silverfish include:
Scientists don't believe silverfish bite people, as the insects have very weak jaws. They aren't really strong enough to pierce a human's skin. Some people may mistake an insect called an earwig for a silverfish — earwigs can pinch your skin.
Silverfish do bite into their food sources, though. Because their jaws are weak, it's really more like a long drag or scrape. That's where silverfish can damage your house. They can scrape their teeth against things like wallpaper, fabric, books, and other paper items. They tend to leave a yellow residue (fecal matter) in their wake.
Because silverfish are nocturnal and actually rather elusive, seeing these yellow markings or damage on paper or fabric in your house is usually the first sign that you have these insects.
Silverfish do leave behind their skin as they age — a process known as molting. These skins can collect and attract dust, which can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
An older 2008 laboratory study found that silverfish may cause allergic-type breathing problems in people who were allergic to common indoor allergens, but there aren't enough additional studies to confirm this.
Silverfish aren't known to carry pathogens or other potentially damaging diseases.
Do silverfish crawl in ears?This question stems from a rather unpleasant rumor that silverfish crawl into your ear and eat your brains or lay eggs in your ear canal.
Good news: They don't do any of this. Silverfish are essentially very shy to humans and are really trying to avoid you at all costs. They don't eat blood and are more interested in your paper products than anything on your body.
Are silverfish harmful to pets?Just as they can't bite humans, silverfish can't bite pets. They won't poison your pet if they eat them. But eating silverfish could give your dog or cat an upset stomach, especially if you have an influx of them.
Silverfish eat cellulose. That's the starchy sugar present in paper products as well as dead skin cells like dandruff. They're attracted to damp, dark spaces with plenty of cellulose to eat.
Even though they like to eat, silverfish can go long periods without eating. They also reproduce quickly and can live for several years. This means a few silverfish can quickly turn into an infestation of silverfish that can damage your home.
If you've spotted a silverfish or lots of silverfish, it's time to go into extermination mode. You can start by sealing up areas of your home where air, moisture, and pests can get in.
You can also use dehumidifiers in areas like the basement to reduce the moisture silverfish love so much.
InsecticidesIf you have a large silverfish infestation, it may be worth using insecticides — or better yet, calling in an exterminator. But it's important to note that insecticides won't prove helpful if the environment has not been dealt with first (i.E doing your best to take the moisture out of a room).
Insecticides with the following ingredients may prove helpful with a silverfish infestation:
Because silverfish can go a long time without eating, setting out chemical bait traps won't always have the desired effect.
Natural methodsIf you prefer more natural methods to deal with a silverfish infestation, there are a few options.
Ensuring your home is well-sealed and maintained can keep silverfish and a lot of other pests out. Some ways to accomplish this include:
If you aren't sure where to begin, a professional pest management company can recommend changes to help keep pests like silverfish out.
Silverfish are small bugs that have silver scales and movements reminiscent of little fish. They love dark, humid places and occasionally pop up in bathrooms or basements.
Silverfish won't bite you or crawl in your ears while you sleep at night. But they can damage wallpaper, food, and other paper products in your home. And if silverfish can get in, it's likely other pests can too.
Keeping your home sealed and well-cleaned can help keep silverfish and other pests out.
Watch: Dingo Bites Tourist On Australian Beach, Warnings Issued
Footage has surfaced showing a dingo nipping a French tourist on the backside on Fraser Island in Australia.
The incident occurred weeks before a 10-year-old boy was dragged underwater by a dingo while he camped with family on the island.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, which has issued warnings about the feral canines, said the boy was walking alone when he was attacked on June 16.
He was held underwater briefly before his 12-year-old sister rushed to the rescue. The boy suffered puncture wounds but was not seriously injured.
The dingo involved in that attack was not euthanized.
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The French tourist was bitten as she sunbathed at Eurong on the eastern side of Fraser Island. The incident occurred in late April or May, according to ABC Australia.
The dingo had already attacked other tourists and a decision was made to euthanize the animal.
As Fraser Island prepares for a busy tourist season, officials are concerned that dingoes are becoming too fearless around humans.
–Footage courtesy of the Department of Environment and Science
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I Tried The Bug Bite Thing, And Yes, It Actually Stops Mosquito Bites From Itching
Irritation from mosquito bites will be a thing of the past, thanks to the Big Bite Thing.
During warm, humid summers in New York's most mountainous region, my family is prone to dozens of bug bites on any given day. We've tried all the natural bug repellents on the market, but my kids still end up polka-dotted with mosquito bites as if their blood tastes like bug candy.
Instead of trying to prevent them in the first place—my top priority, which seems futile—I started looking at ways to make the itchy, scratchy and oh-so-terrible bites more tolerable for my little ones.
I discovered the Bug Bite Thing, a small and easy-to-use Amazon gadget that promises to suck the irritant-causing residues out of bug bites, helping them heal faster and without itching. Given its more than 44,500 five-star ratings on Amazon, I knew my family had to get its hands on the Bug Bite Thing.
What is the Bug Bite Thing?
The Bug Bite Thing is a small plastic device that sucks mosquito saliva out of affected areas. If used early enough, the Bug Bite Thing speeds healing and reduces swelling and itching. In short, it's a summer camping gear essential no family should go without.
It's small enough to fit in your pocket or handbag, doesn't require charging or special batteries,= and it's easy enough for kids to use on themselves. Plus, it's affordable and reusable, making it one of the best discounted camping gear picks on the market.
Believing bug spray will guard you against every bug bite is a common myth about personal insect repellents—and one of the camping mistakes most first-timers make—which is why it's important to have a treatment plan after you've been bitten. People often turn to baking soda, oatmeal and other tricks to help get rid of itchy mosquito bites, but removing the irritation-causing mosquito saliva is the most important step. It's the saliva that causes redness, swelling and major cases of itchy scratches.
How we tested it
Shortly after the Bug Bite Thing arrived, my 9-year-old daughter headed off to her school's field day. As expected, she came home covered in bumps. We immediately deployed the little white suction device.
The instructions were simple and straightforward: Position the device over the center of the bug bite and pull the grips upward to apply suction. Then, we waited a handful of seconds before releasing the suction.
The first mosquito bite on my daughter's leg oozed a drop or two of liquid we assumed to be mosquito saliva. The other bite didn't secrete any noticeable fluid. Both bites became temporarily redder, but within minutes my daughter stopped complaining about them. The device appeared to alleviate the symptoms. It still took two or three days for the bites to fully clear up, but the irritation seemed to dissipate within minutes. That was good enough for us.
In the past, my daughter lost sleep over itchy bug bites, scratching them to the point that little scabs formed. The Bug Bite thing genuinely solved that problem.
Product featuresThe Bug Bite Thing is small enough to fit in your pocket or bag, and requires no charging or electricity. It relies on suction to remove irritants, like mosquito saliva from bug bites, thus helping the body naturally recover and reduce inflammation faster.
Pros
No! You will feel strong suction, but it shouldn't hurt. It's only meant to be used for 10 to 20 seconds at a time.
Can the Bug Bite Thing be used on spider bites?Yes! According to the company, the device works well on spider bites, but it should not be used for brown recluse or black widow bites. It also works on bites from ants, bees, wasps, black flies, fleas and any other insect. The key is to use it as fast as possible after a bite occurs.
Does the Bug Bite Thing leave a bruise or mark?Typically, no. Redness and indentations are common for a few minutes, but quickly dissipate. Those with sensitive skin may experience slightly more irritation, but it should pass.
What other reviewers had to say"I was unexpectedly stung by a bee on my thumb, which was very painful and it started to swell immediately," writes verified purchaser, Michelle. "I remembered that I had this and used it within five minutes from being stung. I pulled on it for about 30 seconds and, to my amazement, the pain went away, the swelling disappeared. It was like the bee sting never happened and there was barely even a mark."
Elizabeth Z., a five-star reviewer, recommends stocking up on Bug Bite Things so they're always on hand during the summer bug season. "This is something I originally bought for over $10, but getting a set is great. I like to keep these in multiple places during the summer, especially to deal with mosquito bites. Sometimes I have to use them a couple times for a single bite, but it works way better than anti-itch creams," she says.
Another five-star reviewer, Cecilia Bowman, finds the tool useful for more than just mosquito bites. "I got tiny cactus thorns in my fingers. After a year (seriously!), I was still swollen, in pain and the thorns were moving around on the tops of my knuckles…I thought why not try the Bug Bite Thing. IT WORKS!!…I can work again! Works for splinters, too! Healed in two days!" she writes.
Final verdictI love the Bug Bite Thing's portability and effectiveness without relying on potentially irritating chemicals. Its affordable price means I can keep one in my bag, my car and my home. The suction device is also safe for those with sensitive skin.
Although the packaging says it works well on other types of bug bites, we're grateful we didn't have to put that to the test. And while the Bug Bite Thing is no replacement for insect repellents and hacks that keep mosquitoes away, it certainly is a remarkable addition to any first aid kit, backpack and camp bag. I'm such a fan, I think these should be required packing gear for overnight camps.
Where to buy the Bug Bite Thing
You can buy the Bug Bite Thing on Amazon and at Walmart and Target, where it retails for about $10. Order yours before regular late-night gatherings around the fire pit begin or ahead of your next camping trip. It also makes a smart camping gift for the outdoor adventurer in your life. You: 1; mosquitoes: 0.
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