Silverfish Species Found in Tennessee

From the Great Smoky Mountains to the dazzling lights and music of the Grand Ole Opry, Tennessee is home to a variety of beautiful sights. One sight you won’t enjoy, however, is a silverfish on your kitchen counter. Aside from their unpleasant appearance, these wingless, silvery insects can damage your food storage, books, and clothing by feeding on them.

While Lepisma saccharina is considered the “official” silverfish species, there are other species that also claim the common name. Whether you’re a long-time Tennessean or you’ve just moved to the Volunteer State, U.S. Pest Protection can help you learn what kind of silverfish may try to invade your home and what damage they could cause.

Types of Silverfish

Aside from Lepisma saccharina, other silverfish species include:

• Ctenolepisma longicaudata: Silvery blue-gray back, three-prong tail
• Ctenolepisma quadriseriata: Thicker, less shiny with significantly longer appendages
• Ctenolepisma urbana: Darker gray back with pale, yellow belly. Known as urban silverfish
• Acrotelsella devriesiana: Australian species most commonly referred to as silverfish

Tennessee Silverfish Species

Luckily, only one species of silverfish has made Tennessee its home: Ctenolepisma longicaudata, commonly known as the gray silverfish. Like all other species of silverfish, gray silverfish are not harmful to humans. While they’re not dangerous, gray silverfish are definitely unwelcome houseguests that can damage your belongings.

Gray silverfish feed on starchy and adhesive materials, as suggested by the “saccharina” portion of Lepisma saccharina’s name. Items in your home that gray silverfish are attracted to include:

• Wallpaper paste
• Cotton
• Book binding
• Linen
• Silk
• Leftover crumbs

You’ll likely find gray silverfish in warm, humid areas in your home, such as your bathroom, oven, etc. They’re also drawn to your pantry, kitchen counters, and bookshelves. Even if you clean your home often, it’s difficult to keep gray silverfish away. They can survive for months without food.

Call U.S. Pest Protection for a Free Inspection

When it comes to keeping your belongings safe from these unpleasant-looking invaders, it’s always wise to bring in an expert for identification and pest control solutions. Give yourself peace of mind and schedule a free inspection and estimate with U.S. Pest Protection to keep your home free of silverfish today.