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Silverfish have flat, elongated bodies 1/3 to 3/4 inch long and broad near the head, tapering toward the rear-somewhat "carrot" shaped. These fragile,
wingless insects are covered with scales and have two long, slender antennae at the head and three long, antennae-like appendages at the rear.
These three appendages, one directed straight back and the other two curving outward, plus the two antennae, are nearly as long as the body.
Sometimes these insects are known as "bristletails." The silverfish adult is about 1/2 inch long with a uniform silvery or pearl-gray color, whereas the
four-lined silverfish is about 5/8 inch long and the back displays four dark lines the length of the body. The gray silverfish is about 3/4 inch long and
uniform light to dark gray. Young resemble the adults except they are smaller. Eggs are whitish, oval and about 1/32 inch long. Silverfish are active at
night and hide during the day. When objects are moved where they are hiding, they dart out and seek new hiding places. The silverfish lives and
develops in damp, cool places (prefers 75 to 95 percent relative humidity), often in the basement, bathroom and kitchen. Large numbers may be found
in new buildings where the walls are still damp from plaster and green lumber. Silverfish females may lay over 100 eggs during a lifetime. Eggs are laid
singly or two to three at a time in small groups, hatching in three to six weeks. Young silverfish resemble adults except being smaller, white and take on
the adult color in four to six weeks. Adults may live two to eight years. Firebrats lay about 50 eggs at one time in several batches. Eggs hatch in about
two weeks under ideal conditions. |
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