Question: Do you treat for silverfish and centipedes?

What is the usual source of these in a home? What chemicals does orkin use and where are they applied? Are the MSDSs available for the chemicals?

Question: I just noticed a silverfish in my bathroom. 

How do I get rid of them and prevent them from coming back?  I have an Orkin man come around and spray primarily the exterior of my house once a month.  Should this not take care of most of my insect problems?

ANSWER  The household silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is often found only in houses.  It gets into houses in packaging material, furniture, and perhaps stored clothing. Silverfish can live in a variety of places, including kitchens, bathroom, basements, and in attics.  They feed on starchy material, but can usually find food wherever they are in the house. 
 
They can damage clothing and paper products.  They can be a nuisance and annoy people by their presence.  They don't carry any disease organisms, they don't bite, and generally stay out of the way.
 
You can try spraying (aerosol insecticide) into cracks and crevices in the area that you have seen them. It may help to  sticky traps (such as those for cockroaches) in these locations.  If they are a problem in areas where items are stored - garages or storage sheds - it may help to unpack the boxes. The storage boxes are often the hiding places for the silverfish. 
 
House centipedes are long, slender creatures. Their bodies are rather flat. and wormlike. Most body segments have one pair of legs. Centipedes are predators of insects and spiders. They are usually active at night.

They do not gather in nests, but they spend the daytime hiding in dark areas. Centipedes prefer areas that are high in humidity like basements. 

Control of centipedes often requires changing their environment. In extreme situations, this may mean reducing the humidity in the areas where they have been a problem. They are easily removed with a vacuum cleaner.  Sticky traps, like the ones for mice or cockroaches, can help reduce the centipede population quickly.

Outdoors, remove potential harborages. Move firewood piles as far away from the house as possible. Close up entryways. Keep vents and ground-level windows screened. Make sure that exterior doors close securely and have proper weatherstrip. Move mulch away from the foundation. An insecticide application around the outside foundation may help prevent them from entering.

Related Questions: The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

• Question: Silverfish & moving
  I live in a six unit brick apartment building. My middle floor apartment and the one below me has water damage from a plumbing problem I am also above a laundry room and boiler room. I have recently noticed Silverfish crawling on my walls and out of a crack in my bedroom window. So far I have only seen them in my room not in the kitchen or bathroom. I am VERY CONCERNED. I can't deal with bugs I have been sleeping in the living room out of extreme paranoia.

  My main concern is that I am moving into a new apartment and I DO NOT want to transport these disgusting bugs with me! I have two small children a one year old and a one month old, so I am afraid to use home pesticides but like I said I am moving and I cant stomach the idea of taking these things with me. What should I do? Should I have this professionally taken care of? What can I do to prevent the spread.

• Question: We have noticed about 3-5 centipedes and silverfish every couple of days.

  We live in Edmonton Alberta Canada.  Spring is just approaching; lots of snow on the ground but it is starting to melt.  We have noticed about 3-5 centipedes and silverfish every couple of days.  We vacuum them up and then more show up.  We have two dogs, and so we are worried about spraying chemicals.  How do these creatures get into our house, and can you tell me more about your process for getting rid of these things in our basement without causing any problems for our dogs?

• Question: Help, my apartment has silverfish. I had the maintenance spray 5 times and I still have them. I am terrified of these bugs. What should I do and what would be the pricing on extermination on a 800 sq ft apartment?
• Question: Can you get rid of silverfish?
• Question: I have been having problems with silverfish. Our house is bright and clean. It looks like nothing works. Any suggestions?
• Question: I have a problem with silver fish bugs. I have sprayed a bug killer along all the base boards in the house, but they still keep appearing. Is there anything else that can be done to eliminate and prevent them from coming back? Also, what attracts them so I can clean up around the house to keep them away?

^{Silverfish illustration}