ENY-225

Booklice and Silverfish

1
P. G. Koehler, D. Branscome, and F. M. Oi
2
1. This document is Fact Sheet ENY-225, a series of the Entomology and Nematology Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food
and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised: January 2003.
2. P. G. Koehler, professor, D. Branscome, graduate assistant, and F. M. Oi, assistant extension scientist, Department of Entomology and Nematology,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville.
The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the
products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.
All chemicals should be used in accordance with directions on the manufacturer's label. Use pesticides safely. Read and follow directions on the
manufacturer's label.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer authorized to provide research, educational
information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to race, color, sex, age, handicap, or national origin.
For information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension Service office. Florida Cooperative
Extension Service/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/University of Florida/Christine Taylor Waddill, Dean.
Booklice
Booklice (Figure 1) belong to a group of insects
collectively called psocids. The psocids are small,
soft-bodied insects, most of which are less than
one-eighth of an inch long. They are both winged and
wingless. Psocids have chewing mouthparts.
Figure 1. Booklouse. Credits: James Castner, University of
Florida
The majority of psocids are outdoor species with
well developed wings. They are most commonly
found on bark or on the foliage of trees and shrubs.
These psocids are frequently called "barklice." Most
of the species found in buildings are wingless.
Because they are often found among books or papers,
they are called booklice. The term "lice" in the names
is somewhat misleading because none of these
insects are parasites and few of them have a louselike
appearance.
Psocids feed on molds, fungi, cereals, pollen,
fragments of dead insects, or other similar materials.
They cause little loss by actually eating foodstuffs
since they do feed chiefly on mold. At times they may
become extremely abundant and spread throughout an
entire building. In such situations they may
contaminate foods and materials to the point the
goods must be discarded. Damage to books may be
more direct. They eat the starch sizing in the bindings
of books and along the edges of pages.
The eggs of psocids are laid singly or in clusters
and are often covered with silken webs or debris.
Most species pass through six nymphal stages. The
entire life span from egg to adult is between thirty and
sixty days.
Booklice and Silverfish 2
Control
Reduction of moisture to eliminate formation of
mold is a very effective method for controlling
booklice. Infested furniture, bedding, or other
movable furnishings should be thoroughly cleaned
and aired. Clean up spilled food products and keep all
stored products tightly sealed.
If an insecticide is required, apply a spot
treatment or crack and crevice treatment of products
found in Table 2, according to label directions.
Precautions
All insecticides are poisons. Read the entire
label, including the small print before opening the
containers and heed all warnings and cautions. Store
pesticides in their original labeled containers out of
reach of children, irresponsible people, and pets, and
preferably keep under lock and key. Dispose of
leftover spray materials and empty containers
promptly and safely.
Silverfish and Firebrats
Silverfish (Figure 2) and firebrats may cause
damage in the home by eating foods or other
materials that are high in protein, sugar, or starch.
They eat cereals, moist wheat flour, paper on which
there is glue or paste, sizing in paper and
bookbindings, starch in clothing, and rayon fabrics.
Figure 2. Silverfish. Credits: James Castner, University of
Florida
Silverfish and firebrats are common in homes.
The silverfish lives and develops in damp, cool
places. Large numbers may be found in new
buildings in which the newly plastered walls are still
damp. The firebrat lives and develops in hot, dark
places, such as around furnaces and fireplaces, and in
insulations around hot water or steam pipes.
In apartment buildings the insects follow
pipelines to rooms in search of food. They may be
found in bookcases, around closet shelves, behind
baseboards, windows or door frames.
Silverfish and firebrats are both slender,
wingless insects and their bodies are covered with
scales. Adults are about one-third to one-half inch
long. Silverfish are shiny and silver or pearl-gray in
color. Firebrats are mottled gray. The young insects
look like adults except they are smaller.
Both insects have two long slender antennae
attached to their heads and three long tail-like
appendages at the hind end. Each appendage is almost
as long as the body.
Silverfish and firebrats are active at night and
hide during the day. When objects under which they
hide are moved, they dart about seeking a new hiding
place.
Biology
Under usual house conditions, silverfish and
firebrats develop slowly and have few young. They
are hardy and can live for several months without
food.
Females lay eggs year round in secluded places,
such as behind books or on closet shelves. Eggs are
occasionally laid in the open. Silverfish lay only a
few eggs at a time but may lay several batches over a
period of weeks. The eggs are whitish, oval, and
about 1/32 inch long. They hatch in two to eight
weeks, the hatching time depending on temperature.
Firebrats lay about 50 eggs one at a time and will
lay several batches. The eggs are soft, white and
opaque, when laid. They will later have a yellowish
tinge. Firebrat eggs hatch in about two weeks. Both
insects reach maturity in 3 to 24 months. Their rate of
growth depends on temperature and humidity.
Booklice and Silverfish 3
Control
The sprays should be applied to floors and wall
moldings, behind drawers, under furniture, cracks and
crevices, and the floor and ceiling of attics. Outside,
treat eaves, mulched flower beds, and storage sheds.
Control may not be immediate because hiding insects
must come out and contact spray residue. Ten days to
two weeks may be required to determine whether or
not control has been achieved.
Dusts of the recommended materials may be
used for treating walls, voids, crawl spaces, and
attics. Space sprays of pyrethrins are useful for
controlling exposed insects. See Table 1 and Table 2.

Table 1. Insecticides labeled for Homeowner Use.
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pest

Crack and Crevice
Aerosol Prallethrin (0.03%),
Esfenvalerate (0.05%),
MGK-264 synergist
(0.3%)
Ortho Roach, Ant & Spider Killer Warning silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins, MGK-264,
Permethrin
Ortho Ant-B-Gon Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Beta-Cyfluthrin Bayer Power Force Carpenter Ant &
Termite Killer Plus
Caution silverfish
Ready-to-Use Cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Home, Home Pest
Control Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer
Caution silverfish
Indoor Surface Treatment
Aerosol Prallethrin (0.03%),
Esfenvalerate (0.05%),
MGK-264 synergist
(0.3%)
Ortho Roach, Ant & Spider Killer Warning silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins, MGK-264,
Permethrin
Ortho Ant-B-Gon Caution silverfish
Ready-to-Use Cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Home, Home Pest
Control Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer
Caution silverfish

Outdoor Barrier
Aerosol Prallethrin (0.03%),
Esfenvalerate (0.05%),
MGK-264 synergist
(0.3%)
Ortho Roach, Ant & Spider Killer Warning silverfish


Booklice and Silverfish 4
Table 1. Insecticides labeled for Homeowner Use.
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pest
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Beta-Cyfluthrin Bayer Power Force Carpenter Ant &
Termite Killer Plus
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Ortho Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Malathion Ortho Malathion 50 Plus Insect Spray Warning silverfish
Granule Carbaryl Ortho Bug-B-Gon Multipurpose Insect
Killer Ready-to-Use Granules
Caution silverfish
Ready-to-Use Cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Home, Home Pest
Control Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer
Caution silverfish

Outdoor Broadcast
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Beta-Cyfluthrin Bayer Power Force Carpenter Ant &
Termite Killer Plus
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Malathion Ortho Malathion 50 Plus Insect Spray Warning silverfish
Ready-to-Use Cyfluthrin Bayer Advanced Home, Home Pest
Control Indoor & Outdoor Insect Killer
Caution silverfish
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests

Crack and Crevice

Aerosol Acephate PT Orthene Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Aerosol Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Pressurized Crack &
Crevice Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Lambda-
Cyhalothrin
PT 221L
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT 565 Plus XLO
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Microcare Pressurized Pyrethrum
Capsule Suspension
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PBO (4.0%)
PT P. I. Contact Insecticide
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 5
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Bait Hydramethylnon Eclipse
(Zoecon)
Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Fine Granule Insect Bait Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (6 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (25 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban FG Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban Granular Bait Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Snuffer
(Nisus)
Caution silverfish
Dust Boric Acid PT Perma Dust Pressurized Boric Acid
Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Dust Deltamethrin DeltaDust
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Dust Disodium
Octaborate
Tetrahydrate
NiBor-D
(Nisus)
Caution silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins PT Tri-Die Silica & Pyrethrum Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Tri-Die Pressurized Silica &
Pyrethrin Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Warning booklice,
silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins, PBO,
Silica Gel
Drione
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar F Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Controlled Release
Cyfluthrin
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff EC
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff Power Spray Insecticide
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WP
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WSB
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Prevail FT Termiticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 6
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Permethrin Dragnet SFR Termiticide/Insecticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Prallethrin PT ULD SPy-300
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Propetamphos Catalyst
(Zoecon)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins PT ULD BP-300
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Microcare CS Controlled Release
Pyrethrum
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins and
Others
PT ULD BP-100
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PBO (5.0%)
PT ULD BP-50
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PCO (5.0%)
Pyrenone 50
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (2.5%),
PBO (12.5%)
Synerol Insecticide
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Cyfluthrin Tempo 20 WP
(Bayer)
Caution silverfish
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Tralomethrin Saga WP Insecticide
(Aventis)
Warning silverfish

Indoor Space Treatment

Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT 565 Plus XLO
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Pro-Control
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Pro-Control Plus
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PBO (4.0%)
PT P. I. Contact Insecticide
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Prallethrin PT ULD SPy-300
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins PT ULD BP-300
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins and
Others
PT ULD BP-100
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 7
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PBO (5.0%)
PT ULD BP-50
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PCO (5.0%)
Pyrenone 50
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (1.0%),
PBO (5.0%)
Pyrenone 100
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (2.5%),
PBO (12.5%)
Synerol Insecticide
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish

Indoor Surface Treatment

Aerosol Acephate PT Orthene Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Pressurized Crack &
Crevice Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Microcare Pressurized Pyrethrum
Capsule Suspension
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins PT Tri-Die Silica & Pyrethrum Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar F Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Controlled Release
Cyfluthrin
Caution booklice, silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff EC
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff Power Spray Insecticide
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WP
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WSB
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Prevail FT Termiticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Deltamethrin Suspend SC Insecticide
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Permethrin Dragnet SFR Termiticide/Insecticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 8
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Microcare CS Controlled Release
Pyrethrum
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PCO (5.0%)
Pyrenone 50
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (1.0%),
PBO (5.0%)
Pyrenone 100
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins (2.5%),
PBO (12.5%)
Synerol Insecticide
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Cyfluthrin Tempo 20 WP
(Bayer)
Caution silverfish
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Tralomethrin Saga WP Insecticide
(Aventis)
Warning silverfish

Outdoor Barrier

Aerosol Acephate PT Orthene Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Aerosol Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Pressurized Crack &
Crevice Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Lambda-
Cyhalothrin
PT 221L
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon Eclipse
(Zoecon)
Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban FG Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban Granular Bait Caution silverfish
Dust Deltamethrin DeltaDust
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar F Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cyfluthrin PT Cy-Kick CS Controlled Release
Cyfluthrin
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cyfluthrin Tempo SC Ultra
(Bayer)
Danger silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 9
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff EC
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff Power Spray Insecticide
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WP
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Cynoff WSB
(FMC)
Warning silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cypermethrin Prevail FT Termiticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Deltamethrin Suspend SC Insecticide
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Permethrin Astro Insecticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Permethrin Dragnet SFR Termiticide/Insecticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins Kicker
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Microcare CS Controlled Release
Pyrethrum
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Granule Deltamethrin DeltaGard G
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Cyfluthrin Tempo 20 WP
(Bayer)
Caution silverfish

Outdoor Broadcast

Bait Hydramethylnon Eclipse
(Zoecon)
Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Fine Granule Insect Bait Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (6 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (25 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban Granular Bait Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar F Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Bifenthrin Talstar Insecticide/Miticide
(FMC)
Caution silverfish
Emulsifiable
Concentrate
Cyfluthrin Tempo SC Ultra
(Bayer)
Danger silverfish
Granule Deltamethrin DeltaGard G
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Booklice and Silverfish 10
Table 2. Insecticides labeled for Commercial Use on booklice (Psocids).
Formulation Common Name Trade Name Signal
Word
Pests
Wettable/ Soluble
Powder
Cyfluthrin Tempo 20 WP
(Bayer)
Caution silverfish

Voids/Attics

Aerosol Acephate PT Orthene Crack & Crevice
Pressurized Residual
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice, silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins and
Others
PT 565 Plus XLO
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution silverfish
Aerosol Pyrethrins (0.5%),
PBO (4.0%)
PT P. I. Contact Insecticide
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon Eclipse
(Zoecon)
Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Fine Granule Insect Bait Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (6 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Hydramethylnon MaxForce Granular Insect Bait (25 lb) Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban FG Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Niban Granular Bait Caution silverfish
Bait Orthoboric Acid Snuffer
(Nisus)
Caution silverfish
Dust DeltaDust
(Aventis)
DeltaDust
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish
Dust Disodium
Octaborate
Tetrahydrate
NiBor-D
(Nisus)
Caution silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins PT Tri-Die Silica & Pyrethrum Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Caution booklice,
silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins and
Others
PT Tri-Die Pressurized Silica &
Pyrethrin Dust
(Whitmire Micro-gen)
Warning booklice,
silverfish
Dust Pyrethrins, PBO,
Silica Gel
Drione
(Aventis)
Caution silverfish