Whether you own a corgi, a lab or a mixed breed, it’s important to know what insects are harmful to your pet. You’re probably well aware of many pests that can harm your pup, from fleas and ticks to mosquitoes and mites. But what about silverfish? Are silverfish harmful to dogs?
While silverfish may look like trouble on six legs, there’s no indication that they will cause any harm to your dogs.
Silverfish don’t bite or sting. Additionally, they’re not known to carry any pathogens that can transmit disease to dogs (or humans, for that matter).
In fact, silverfish are often considered more of a nuisance than a danger. So, unless your dog is allergic to the dust that is created from shed skins when silverfish molt, it’s unlikely that it will experience a negative reaction as a result of coming into contact with this particular insect.
What are Silverfish?
Silverfish are some of the most ancient insects on the planet. It's believed that they've even been around for about 100 million years longer than dinosaurs. If you’re familiar with other prehistoric creatures — like horseshoe crabs and some cockroaches — you know that they haven’t really evolved to be revered as beauties. As small as they are, silverfish can appear downright frightening to some with their scaled, shiny bodies and tail-like appendages.
Additionally, silverfish don’t have wings. However, because they need some defense to ensure they survive, they’re incredibly fast runners with bodies that wiggle like fish when they move. This helps them take cover when they feel unsafe or when predators are around. They're also nocturnal.
What Problems Do Silverfish Cause?
While silverfish may not bother your dog, they can create a giant headache for you. These insects mainly prefer to feed on starches. They’ve also been known to feed on old books, newspapers and even storage boxes. In addition to paper products, they’ll make a meal out of glue, specifically the type used in older books and to hang wallpaper.
As you can see, silverfish are capable of causing their fair share of damage, especially if you’re a collector or have a lot of historical family photos or documents that you hold near and dear.
Silverfish can be difficult to control on your own, so this is not an instance in which you want to hunt for do-it-yourself tips. If you need help removing silverfish from your home, reach out to a professional pest control company, like Terminix®. Our trained technicians can evaluate your problem and recommend a solution that best suits your needs. And a pest control plan with Terminix covers a lot more than just silverfish.
