Silverfish are the most common pest in homes, restaurants, and warehouses. They are also attracted to lights because they live near the surface and seek out areas of darkness. Some people think that LED lights attract silverfish because they resemble insects hovering over flowers. Unfortunately, this is not true. The LED lights themselves don’t attract silverfish; it’s the light that attracts them. So if you want to put an end to those pesky silverfish infestations, you’ll need to turn off your LED lights.
Do led lights attract silverfish
Light attracts silverfish by reflecting off of their shiny body and giving them a warm glow. Silverfish are attracted to light, so if you want to keep them away from your house, you will have to turn off the lights.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are a type of insect that falls under the order “Lepidoptera.” The term “silverfish” comes from their silvery gray color and because they have a long, thin body. Their wingspan is typically 5-7 inches. Silverfish can be found in homes, warehouses, and even some natural areas such as forests.
Why Do LED Lights Attract Silverfish?
- Led lights are a form of lighting that is very common in homes, offices, and restaurants.
- The color of light emitted by led lights is different from the light of the sun or other forms of artificial light.
- LEDlights emit very little heat, so they do not cause the same problems as other forms of lighting fixtures, such as incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps.
- LED lights are coated with silver, which is why silverfish are attracted to them and can cause infestations when they enter homes after falling from ceilings or walls where they are hanging out at night to feed on organic matter in the building’s walls and ceilings during their daily activities.
- Silverfish are attracted to light because it provides a good environment for them to live in, and it’s easier for them to find food (organic matter) at night when there is less natural light available for them to see with their eyesight during their daily activities, compared to the day.
How To Stop Silverfish From Infesting Your Home Or Business?
- Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter to get rid of excess dust and dirt.
- Use an insecticidal soap (like Drione) to kill the silverfish and other insects that are feeding on your home’s food source.
- Put sticky traps around the baseboards in your basement, and under sinks in the kitchen and bathroom to trap them inside those areas.
- Remove dead plant matter by using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or shop vac, or simply by throwing away the plant material in garbage bags.
- Install a dehumidifier to remove moisture from your home, which reduces the temperature at which silverfish prefer to live, thereby making them more difficult for them to reproduce.
- Replace any ceiling lights that are made of plastic with metal fixtures because they attract silverfish instead of repelling them as glass does
- Try sealing cracks and crevices where you know there is a problem by applying a silicone caulk from a hardware store.
- Use a sticky trap to catch silverfish and place them in a jar with a lid that fits on tightly, so they can’t escape.
What Is The Life Cycle Of A Silverfish?
The life cycle of a silverfish is as follows:
- Eggs are laid in the food or paper that the silverfish are feeding on.
- The eggs hatch into nymphs (baby silverfish).
- Nymphs look similar to adults except for their size (nymphs are smaller than adults), coloration (they are silver), and texture.
- Nymphs turn into adult silverfish and mature in about one month. They are capable of reproducing parthenogenetically, which means that females do not need to mate with a male partner before they can produce offspring.
- Adult silverfish reproduce by reproducing parthenogenetically; that means the female does not need to mate with a male partner before she can produce offspring. The female produces eggs that hatch into nymphs (baby silverfish). Nymphs look similar to adults except for their size (nymphs are smaller than adults), coloration (they are silver), and texture.
- Silverfish may live up to 5 years.
- The silverfish are nocturnal and prefer to be active at night. They are attracted to lights because they live near the surface of walls and ceilings so their presence is usually a sign of an unhealthy environment.
- Silverfish may enter homes through cracks and crevices around windows or doors. These cracks allow them to enter homes during the day when occupants aren’t present.
What do silverfish eat?
- Suger
- Paper and books.
- Starch (e.g., from cereal boxes).
- Food remnants (e.g., crumbs).
- Crumbs from food preparation areas (e.g., counters or tables) or in pantries and cupboards.
What Attracts Silverfish At Home?
Silverfish infestations are often caused by food that has been contaminated by silverfish. Silverfish are attracted to light because they live near the surface and seek out areas of darkness. There are a few things that attract silverfish at home:
- Food that has been contaminated with silverfish or silverfish droppings.
- Silverware and dishes have become tarnished.
- Garbage cans with holes in them, and garbage bags with holes in them.
- Old shoes, boots, or other footwear sitting in a dark place.
- Dark wall voids or crevices (e.g., around pipes and electrical outlets).
Are Silverfish Dangerous?
Yes, silverfish are dangerous. They can cause damage to textiles, paper, wood, and much more. They will eat food and contaminate it with their excrement. Silverfish are also attracted to light because they live near the surface of walls and ceilings so their presence is usually a sign of an unhealthy environment.
Conclusion
Understanding the behavior of silverfish is critical to avoiding an infestation.
Silverfish are a type of beetle that feeds on organic materials, like paper and fabric. They are most likely to gather in areas with high humidity and warmth, like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and crawl spaces. They will also infest other areas that aren’t normally found in homes or businesses, like window lights and vents. The good news is that silverfish are very easy to get rid of.
The best defense against silverfish is to avoid areas where they’re likely to gather and to make sure your homes or businesses have tight-fitting, moisture-resistant sheets on windows, doors, and vents.