Common Silverfish
How to Get Rid of the Common Silverfish
While common silverfish are harmless to humans, they can be persistent pests, damaging clothing, books, and wallpaper. Silverfish have an unusually long lifespan (up to eight years) and reproduce rapidly, meaning infestations can grow out of control if they’re not handled promptly. We’ll break down how to get rid of silverfish naturally and when to call a professional.
Get help with your silverfish problems by calling the silverfish control pros at Hawx Pest Control! Call (888) 372-9514 today.
Should I be worried if I have silverfish?
First off, do silverfish bite people? No, but they will chew through your clothes, books, and starchy foods like pasta. Silverfish may also indicate moisture problems in your home, either high humidity or leaks, which can lead to mold, mildew, and rot. Because silverfish breed rapidly, an infestation can get to be difficult to control, and will also attract other predatory pests that feed on them, like spiders and centipedes. Addressing the underlying factors that attract silverfish and eliminating them quickly are key to keeping your home peaceful and pest-free.
How to prevent silverfish from coming into the house
If you’re wondering why there are silverfish in your home, look at the three major factors: moisture, easy entry points, and available food.
Use dehumidifiers to maintain an indoor humidity level between 30–55%. Use fans for ventilation in closed spaces, and fix leaks or drips in plumbing. Line your crawl spaces with plastic sheeting to create a vapor barrier.
Seal potential entry points such as cracks in the foundation or siding with caulk, and use weatherstripping around windows, doors, foundations, and pipes. Maintain a tidy, dry perimeter around the outside of your home.
Keep food sources under wraps. Items like cereals, pet food, pasta, paper products, and out-of-season clothes should be kept in airtight containers.
Without sustained moisture and access to food, silverfish can’t thrive, so that’s your goal.
Where silverfish are found in the house
Silverfish hide during the day in dark, secluded spots and emerge at night. They like to nest near food and water. Rooms with a lot of moisture, such as bathrooms, basements, and laundry rooms, are hotspots. Kitchens, closets, shelves, attics, and garages are basically buffets for silverfish, with books, boxes, clothes, and our own starchy human foods to attract them.
How to get rid of silverfish in the house
If you find yellow stains on clothing, holes in book pages, small pepper-like droppings, or shed scales, you probably have silverfish. Start with the prevention methods above. For removal, try the following:
Natural methods
Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Sprinkle food-grade DE in cracks, crevices, and along baseboards. This natural powder dehydrates silverfish on contact. Leave it for 24 hours, then vacuum. DE is generally safe but dusty; you should avoid inhaling it. Use caution if you have pets.
Traps
Create a silverfish trap by wrapping the outside of a glass with masking tape or wet newspaper. Put a starchy bait like bread inside and place it in a corner. The tape allows silverfish to climb up the glass, but they won’t be able to climb out again.
Regular cleaning
Vacuum carpets, upholstery, and crevices with a HEPA filter to remove silverfish eggs and the dust and debris that silverfish feed on. Dust shelves and avoid clutter, such as stacks of paper, which can be hiding and feeding spots.
Chemical Methods
When to call a professional
If you’re seeing signs of silverfish, don’t hesitate to call a professional pest control team like Hawx. Because silverfish can breed in concealed nesting zones and multiply quickly, early professional intervention prevents escalation.
We start with a thorough inspection to identify entry points, nests, and attractants. Our team then establishes a perimeter barrier via foundation treatments, crack and crevice dusts, yard treatment, and entry-point sealing. Inside, we’ll apply targeted treatments like residual insecticides, dusts, or baits in voids and crevices to kill hidden infestations.
You’ll receive a detailed service report outlining what was done and where vulnerabilities were addressed. Plus, Hawx’s home-service warranty stands behind the work: if silverfish return between treatments, we will too—no extra charge.
Ready to reclaim your home? Get a free estimate today.
Read more about silverfish
How to Get Rid of Silverfish in the Bathroom
Silverfish are nocturnal insects that can infest any area in a home, but these critters prefer the warm, humid environment that a bathroom offers. Although