Silverfish in archives – why they find ideal conditions there
Silverfish are considered material pests that mainly occur where large amounts of paper-containing materials are stored. Therefore, archives, libraries, and document storage are particularly vulnerable to infestation. The insects find exactly the conditions they need for survival and reproduction there.
What are silverfish?
Silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) belong to the group of silverfish (Zygentoma). They resemble common silverfish but differ in some important aspects:
Typical characteristics:
-
about 7–12 mm long
-
elongated, scale-covered body
-
very long antennae and tail filaments
-
gray to dark gray coloring
Unlike common silverfish, silverfish often also occur in drier environments and are therefore particularly problematic in archives.
Why archives are ideal habitats
Archives offer silverfish several crucial advantages.
Large amounts of food
Silverfish feed on materials that contain starch, cellulose, or adhesives. They often find these substances in:
-
Paper and cardboard
-
Book bindings
-
Adhesives
-
Wallpaper
-
Labels
Archives often store thousands of documents, files, and books – a constant food source for the animals.
Dark and quiet environments
Silverfish are light-shy and nocturnal.
Archives are usually:
-
dimly lit
-
rarely disturbed
-
unused for a long time
These conditions allow the insects to hide and multiply unnoticed.
Many hiding places
Between file folders, boxes, and shelves, numerous gaps and cavities form, which silverfish use as hiding places.
Typical hiding places include:
-
behind shelves
-
in cracks in the floor
-
in stacks of cardboard
-
under baseboards
Such structures provide protection from light and disturbances.
What damage silverfish can cause
The damage mainly results from feeding on paper materials.
Possible damage:
-
small feeding holes in paper
-
damaged book spines
-
damaged labels
-
damaged documents
This is especially problematic with historical documents or archival materials, which often cannot be replaced.
How to detect an infestation
Silverfish are nocturnal and therefore hard to spot. Signs of an infestation can include:
-
sightings of insects at night or in dark rooms
-
small feeding marks on paper
-
shed skins of the insects
-
individual insects on the floor or walls
Often an infestation is only noticed once the population has already grown.
Prevention in archives and document storage
To prevent silverfish, especially hygiene and monitoring are important.
Important measures:
-
regular inspection of shelves and documents
-
good building tightness to prevent entry
-
Order and organized storage
-
Use of monitoring traps to detect infestations early
Early monitoring helps detect an infestation before major damage occurs.
Conclusion
Archives provide ideal conditions for silverfish: plenty of food, dark environments, and numerous hiding places. That’s why it’s important to regularly check storage areas and take appropriate preventive measures.
If an infestation is detected early, damage to documents and materials can usually be avoided.
Advion Silverfish gel
Advion Silverfish gel
Catchmaster 288i
Silverfish set
