ALERT: Be on the lookout for these pesky little prehistoric critters in Irish homes

Annoying nocturnal insects which can cause damage to clothing and books in your home are more common during the cold months, with people advised to be on the lookout for them. 

Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, is warning the public to keep an eye out for the signs of silverfish during cold weather as these nocturnal pests are typically more prevalent during colder periods.

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Silverfish lay up to 60 eggs per day, so a few insects can quickly become a much larger infestation.

The five counties that accounted for the most silverfish callouts over the past five months were Dublin, which accounted for 57% of all of Rentokil’s silverfish callouts, Cork (15%), Kildare (5%), Clare (4%) and Waterford (2%).

Home and business owners are most likely to find silverfish in dark, damp, and humid areas such as bathrooms or washroom, basements, and attics.

Silverfish are nocturnal insects that are silver or grey in colour, measuring approximately 10-12mm in length with tiny scales, two antennae, and they have a tapered, tail-like appearance.

Silverfish eggs are usually difficult to locate, as they are often hidden in tiny cracks or crevices. An infestation can result in damage to books, photographs, paintings, plaster and other household items as they feed on both starch and cellulose. They also feed on human debris such as dead skin and hair.

A common sign of the presence of silverfish to watch out for is finding unexplained holes in books or items of clothing.

Dr Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager for Rentokil said: “Like many pests during colder periods of the year, silverfish move indoors to seek shelter and warmth inside homes and businesses. While silverfish aren’t dangerous, they can become a major inconvenience because of their appetite for starch and cellulose, which can lead to them damaging valuable items by feeding on them. Members of the public can find out more about silverfish on the Rentokil website.

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Rentokil advises following these tips to reduce the likelihood of a silverfish infestation in your premises:

Deny them food by vacuuming and keeping dust and debris to a minimum.

Store food in containers with tightly sealed lids.

Homes and businesses should also dehumidify their premises through the use of fans, dehumidifiers, or by opening windows to air them out.

Make sure all cracks in walls and skirting boards are filled."