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 th chemicals?
ANSWER The local Branch office can provide you with the names of the chemicals used to control these two pests. The MSDS should be available from them.
The household silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is usually found in houses and rarely in natural settings. 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 fabrics and paper goods. 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.
Insecticide applications are often made into cracks and crevices behind baseboards in the area where silverfish have been active.Sticky traps (such as those for cockroaches) in these locations are also helpful. Insecticide applications on the outside foundation can help prevent them from coming into the home.
Contro of silverfish often involves removing or modifying their harborage. In cases where they have infested boxes in a garage or storage shed, it is often necessary to unpack the boxes. Removing and discarding the boxes often eliminates the infestation.
House centipede. There is basically one species, but they can vary in size and color (from light brown to pale brown) depending on their age and the region of the country. Their long and many legs, and their rapid movements can be a little threatening, but they are relatively harmless to humans.
The house centipede can is usually found around the foundation of houses and other buildings. They prefer to rest in secluded places during the day. They seem to prefer places like ivy growing on the side of the house or in thick, loose mulch against the foundation of the house. From these sites the centipedes may enter ground level rooms. They may use door thresholds or gaps in the foundation. They do not come through drains (myth).
These animals are predators of spiders and insects indoors. There are no nests of centipedes; they are independent hunters and do not gather together in one place. The young forage for themselves; they are smaller than the adults and about the same coloration (and speed).
Insecticide applications are often made behind baseboards in areas where they have been active. Sticky traps (such as those for cockroaches) are also a common control tool. An insecticide application on the outside foundation can help prevent insects (and centipedes) from entering. Make sure exterior doors close snugly -- weatherstrip if necessary.
