They sound like silverfish.
Silverfish Appearance
Silverfish is about 1/2 inch long, with a uniform silvery color over the upper surface. Their bodies are long and slender, flattened. The bodies are broad at the front, and gradually tapering toward the rear.
They can be found almost anywhere, but prefer damp, moderate temperature places such as basements, laundry rooms, and under sinks.
. Silverfish Biology and Habits
· Silverfish prefer a dark, moist environment and require a large supply of starchy foods or molds.
· Silverfish are considered to be nuisance pests that can feed on wallpaper pastes, natural textiles, books, and papers.
· Silverfish also feed on mold or fungi that can grow on various surfaces.
· They are fast-moving and can travel throughout buildings.
Once silverfish find a good source of food, however, they stay close to it.
· Silverfish go through only a three stage life cycle called gradual metamorphosis, while many insects have a four stage life cycle (complete metamorphosis).
Silverfish may lay eggs at any time during the year, and take 19-43 days to hatch.
The life cycle from silverfish egg to adult is three to four months.
They prefer humid areas (75 to 97% humidity), like bathrooms and moderate temperatures (70o to 80o F).
· Silverfish are found in basements, kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, in bookcases, on closet shelves, behind baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames, wall voids, and sub-floor areas.
· Silverfish are active at night or are active in dark places found throughout the structure.
Silverfish can be a problem year round.
Attics are a favorite place for silverfish due to the abundant food sources due to the recycled blown in paper insulation and storage boxes.
You may see silverfish trapped in sinks and bathtubs because they enter
seeking moisture and are unable to climb a slick vertical surface to escape.
Symptoms and Damage of Silverfish:
· Silverfish are found in basements, kitchens, sinks, bathtubs, in bookcases, on closet shelves, behind baseboards, wallpaper, window or door frames, wall voids, and sub-floor areas.
· Because they molt during their adult lives their cast skins may be a useful detection too.
· Silverfish diets are high in protein, sugar, or starch, including cereals,
moist wheat flour, starch in book bindings, and paper on which there is glue or paste.
· Silverfish can damage book bindings, wallpaper, paper goods and dry foods. They may eat holes, irregular shaped in the wallpaper to get to the paste.
Silverfish may bite very small holes in various fabrics, including cotton, linen, and silk, even though they cannot digest either linen or cotton.
Firebrats will feed extensively on rayon, whereas silverfish usually damage it only slightly.
· They may leave a yellowish stain on fabric.
· Outside, they may be found in nest of insects, birds, mammals, and under tree bark and mulch
They can be found in wood shingles or sidings on houses, they may enter the home from these.
RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR SILVERFISH CONTROL:
1. Sources of any undue moisture, such as faulty plumbing or condensation that provide the humidity favored by these pests should be eliminated.
2. Dehumidifying reduces the moisture content of the air that these insects find essential. Some methods for dehumidifying include:
Mend leaking pipes.
Ventilate closed rooms and attics.
Eliminate standing water.
Use a dehumidifier an air conditioner.
Use silica gel which acts like a desiccant or boric acid.