Silverfish

5938  I’ve found this white flat bug several times in my new condo building in Ancaster,  Ontario. I’ve found it both in fall and winter, haven’t been here in summer yet. I fund it just sitting on the wall or floor and seems pretty sedate at times. What is it and is it problematic? Any tips to get rid of it? Thanks    Sue.

This appears to be a silverfish, Zygentoma: Lepismatidae. These are cosmopolitan in distribution and along with their close cousins, firebrats, basically are nuisance pests that seldom cause real harm. See http://tinyurl.com/mc5vk7j for more detailed information.  Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.