We often hear about silverfish damaging books and destroying valuable papers around the home. Books damaged by silverfish are a common event. If there are important books and papers in your home, you may want to learn ways to protect them.

There are a number of strategies you can choose from to stop silverfish book damage. This article provides information and ideas on how to prevent insects from damaging paper goods in your home.

The silverfish bug is a cunning little creature and can hide in unseen places where they damage and lay their eggs. Many people are unclear on what silverfish damage looks like or how to control it. Unfortunately, silverfish book damage can easily be mistaken for normal wear and tear.

Items that incur silver bug damage include books, manuscripts, valuable documents, food, clothing, plants, tapestries, and more.

Why Does Silverfish Book Damage Occur?

The silverfish diet is why you should be worrying about silverfish in your books. Books are like silverfish magnets because they contain substances that the insect loves to eat. Book bindings are a food source because they contain glue, protein, and starch. An example of silverfish damage to books is when silverfish eat the glue that holds book spines together. The result is loose pages in the book as it begins to fall apart. You may be surprised to find that these bugs will eat paper, books, and virtually any item that contains starch, protein, and glue.

Often people assume there is no risk of damage from silverfish because they haven’t seen silverfish in their books. Still, you may notice that the pages are coming loose from the spine of the book. This could be the result of silverfish damage. Just because you don’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there. They are good at hiding, although you will eventually see some if they are lurking around your valuable books or papers.

Clues to silver bugs may be seeing silver minnows shed their skin or small, dark droppings (feces) that look like specks on pages and paper.

Silverfish book damage also occurs when silverfish eat shiny papers because they contain starch. Book bindings contain glue, paste, and glue that attract them to the book bindings.

Silverfish Book Damage Signs

• Pages and paper with jagged edges
• yellow stains on the pages
• abrasions on paper and photos
• holes in paper
• dead silverfish near books or between pages

Ways to Prevent Silverfish Book Damage

Used books and old newspapers are some of the ways these bugs get into the home. Silverfish and silverfish eggs often find their way to them. If you must bring old books and papers home, try to inspect them before you leave them lying around the house. Unattended old books allow silverfish eggs to hatch. Seeing silverfish eggs with the naked eye can be a problem. You can, however, look for silverfish skin guts and body parts. Some people have been known to freeze books to kill unseen bugs and eggs.

1. Silverfish can enter the home in used books, used clothing, cardboard boxes, and furniture. Inspect cardboard boxes and furniture for silverfish when they are first shipped into the home.
2. Fabrics used in toy pillows and other items may contain silverfish or their eggs. In some cases, hot water washes or freezing are used.
3. Control the indoor environment: Since silverfish like a dark, moist environment, take steps to deny them that habitat. Reduce room humidity levels by using a dehumidifier
4. Books should never be stacked on shelves where there is no air circulation in the room. This would result in moisture buildup and mold growth. This is also an attractive environment for bugs. Silverfish not only like the starch on their books, they are also attracted to mold and mildew.
5. Place silverfish sticky traps near places where books and papers are stored. This would mean placing sticky traps on the shelves near the books. One particular step is to use silver fish packets.

Learning how to deal with silverfish and removing them from your home takes a bit of time and effort. Fortunately, information is available online on how to get silverfish out of your home.