Pest experts have reported a 47% increase in callouts to deal with silverfish invasions.
Rentokil have warned home and business owners to be on the lookout for the nocturnal pests as they recorded the increase between October 2020 and 2021.
The top five counties that accounted for silverfish callouts in October are Dublin, which accounted for 46% of all callouts, Kildare (14%), Cork (10%), Monaghan (10%), and Donegal (7%).
Home and business owners are most likely to find silverfish in dark, damp, and humid areas such as bathrooms, basements and attics. Silverfish are nocturnal insects that are silver or grey in colour, measuring approximately 10-12mm in length with tiny scales and two antennae and have a tapered, tail-like appearance.
Silverfish can lay up to 60 eggs per day, so a few insects can quickly become a much larger infestation. Their eggs are usually difficult to locate, as they are often hidden in tiny cracks or crevices.
A common sign of the presence of silverfish to watch out for is finding unexplained holes in books or items of clothing.
Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said: “Like many pests at this time of year, silverfish will begin to 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.”
