Sasha CampbellYou have probably seen silverfish before. These small pests live in homes, libraries, and other buildings worldwide [1].
Silverfish like dark, damp places. You may find them in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and storage areas.
They do not bite, sting, or spread disease. However, they can damage books, wallpaper, clothing, cardboard, and stored food.
Fortunately, you can control silverfish by reducing moisture, removing their food and hiding places, and using traps.
Quick Answer: To control silverfish, lower the humidity, fix leaks, vacuum hiding places, remove clutter, and use traps. Diatomaceous earth may also help when used correctly. Severe infestations may require help from a pest-control professional.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, wingless insects. They have a silver or gray body shaped like a carrot. Three long, thin bristles extend from the back of the body.
Silverfish move quickly with a wriggling motion that looks a little like a swimming fish.
They are nocturnal pests. This means they are most active at night. During the day, they hide in dark cracks and damp spaces [2].
Silverfish do not bite or sting people. They are mainly a problem because they can damage household items.
What Causes Silverfish?
Silverfish are attracted to damp, dark, and humid places. High moisture is one of the main reasons they settle in a home.
Leaky pipes, poor airflow, and water damage can create good conditions for them.
Silverfish also like cluttered places where they can hide. Cardboard boxes, old newspapers, books, and stored fabrics give them food and shelter.
Flour, cereal, pet food, wallpaper glue, and other starchy materials may also provide food.
A silverfish problem usually means the insects have found moisture, shelter, and something to eat.
Signs of a Silverfish Infestation
Seeing live silverfish is one of the clearest signs of a problem. Since they usually come out at night, you may see them when you turn on a light.
Other signs include:
- Small, uneven holes in books, wallpaper, cardboard, or clothing
- Yellow stains on paper or fabric
- Shed skins in dark hiding places
- Tiny black specks that look like pepper
- Damage to boxes of flour, cereal, or other dry foods
A musty smell may mean the area has a moisture or mold problem. These damp conditions can also attract silverfish. However, the smell alone does not prove that silverfish are present.
What Do Silverfish Eat?
Silverfish feed on materials that contain starch, sugar, or protein.
They may eat paper, book bindings, cardboard, wallpaper glue, and some fabrics. They may also feed on flour, cereal, pasta, oats, pet food, dead insects, and other debris.
Because they can survive on many different materials, removing only one food source may not solve the problem.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish Naturally
The following home remedies and low-toxicity methods can help control silverfish. Some are natural methods, while others use carefully applied pest-control products.
Always follow the product label and keep treatments away from children and pets.
1. Lower the Humidity
Reducing moisture is one of the best ways to control silverfish.
Fix leaking pipes, dripping faucets, and areas with water damage. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens. A dehumidifier may help in damp basements, bathrooms, and storage rooms.
If possible, keep indoor humidity near or below 50%. This makes the home less favorable for many silverfish, but it may not remove them on its own.
Open windows only when the air outside is less humid than the air indoors. Opening them during hot, humid weather may bring more moisture into your home.
2. Make a Glass Jar Trap
You can make a simple silverfish trap with a glass jar, masking tape, and dry cereal or bread.
Wrap masking tape around the outside of the jar. The rough tape helps silverfish climb into it.
Place a small piece of bread or dry cereal inside. The smooth glass walls make it hard for the insects to climb back out.
Set the jar near a wall or hiding place. Check and empty it each morning.
3. Use a Damp Newspaper Trap
Lightly dampen an old newspaper and roll it up. Place it near an area where you have seen silverfish.
The insects may crawl into the newspaper during the night.
The next morning, place the newspaper in a sealed bag and throw it away outdoors. Silverfish may be hidden deep inside the folds.
Do not leave damp newspaper in place for several days. It may dry out, grow mold, or add more moisture to the room.
4. Set Out Sticky Traps
Place flat sticky traps along walls and near places where silverfish may hide.
Good locations include:
- Under sinks
- Behind appliances
- Near bookshelves
- Inside closets
- Along baseboards
- Near cardboard boxes
Sticky traps can catch silverfish and show you where they are most active.
Keep the traps away from children and pets. Replace them when they become dusty or full.
5. Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming can remove silverfish, shed skins, bits of food, and some eggs near the surface.
Pay close attention to cracks, baseboards, closets, bookshelves, cabinets, and spaces behind appliances.
Empty the vacuum outdoors as soon as you finish. If your vacuum uses a bag, seal the bag before throwing it away.
6. Remove Clutter
Silverfish can hide and feed in piles of paper, newspapers, cardboard, and old clothing.
Remove items you no longer need. Store important books, papers, and fabrics in clean, dry places.
Replace old cardboard boxes with sealed plastic containers when possible. This removes hiding places and makes stored items harder for silverfish to reach.
7. Seal Dry Food
Keep flour, cereal, pasta, oats, pet food, and other dry foods in airtight containers.
Clean spilled food from shelves, floors, and cabinets. Throw away food packages that show signs of insect damage.
Sealing dry food removes some possible food sources. However, silverfish may still feed on paper, glue, cardboard, and other materials.
8. Seal Cracks and Gaps
Use caulk to seal cracks around baseboards, pipes, walls, windows, and doors.
Repair loose wallpaper and gaps around cabinets. You can also install door sweeps and replace damaged weatherstripping.
Sealing these spaces removes hiding places and makes it harder for silverfish to move from one room to another.
9. Check Cardboard Boxes
Silverfish can hide inside cardboard boxes and feed on the paper and glue.
Check boxes stored in basements, closets, garages, and attics. Throw away damp or damaged boxes.
Move important items into clean plastic containers with tight lids.
10. Move Stored Items Away from Walls
Do not press boxes, books, or bags of clothing tightly against walls.
Leave a little space between stored items and the wall. This makes the area easier to inspect, vacuum, and keep dry.
It also gives silverfish fewer hidden paths to travel through.
11. Improve Ventilation
Use exhaust fans when cooking or taking a shower. Make sure clothes dryers send moist air outdoors.
Avoid drying wet clothing inside poorly ventilated rooms.
Improved airflow helps damp areas dry faster and makes the home less attractive to silverfish.
12. Clean Behind Appliances
Crumbs, dust, paper, and moisture can collect behind refrigerators, stoves, washing machines, and other appliances.
Move appliances carefully and vacuum behind them. Check nearby pipes and hoses for leaks.
Do not move heavy appliances without help.
13. Use Diatomaceous Earth Carefully
Diatomaceous earth can damage the protective outer coating of silverfish. This causes them to lose moisture and die.
Use only a diatomaceous earth product labeled for indoor insect control. Apply a very thin layer in dry cracks and other places allowed by the label.
Do not scatter it across open floors or countertops. Avoid breathing the dust, and keep it away from children and pets.
Diatomaceous earth will not work well after it becomes wet.
14. Consider a Labeled Boric Acid Product
Some pest-control products contain boric acid and are labeled for silverfish.
Apply only a thin layer in dry cracks and other hidden areas listed on the product label.
Do not put it on counters, food-storage surfaces, or anywhere children and pets can reach it. Never use more than the label directs.
Do not use ordinary household borax in place of a pest-control product labeled for silverfish. Always use the exact product and directions listed on the label.
Boric acid and diatomaceous earth dust may help control silverfish when applied correctly in protected, dry areas [3].
15. Clean and Store Fabrics Properly
If you find silverfish near clothing, towels, or bedding, clean the items according to their care labels.
Make sure everything is completely dry before storing it. Place rarely used clothing and fabrics in clean containers with tight lids.
Vacuum and dry the storage area before returning the items.
16. Clean Around the Outside of the House
Remove wet leaves, cardboard, wood scraps, and other damp debris touching the house.
Keep gutters clear so rainwater can drain away. Repair outdoor leaks and move firewood away from the building.
Outdoor cleanup can reduce damp hiding places near the home. However, you must also reduce indoor moisture and clutter.
17. Call a Pest-Control Professional
A few silverfish can often be controlled with cleaning, moisture reduction, and traps.
Consider calling a qualified pest-control professional if:
- You see silverfish often
- Books or clothing are being badly damaged
- The infestation spreads to several rooms
- You cannot locate the moisture problem
- Home control methods do not work
A professional can find hidden infestations and recommend a suitable treatment.
Natural Silverfish Remedies That May Not Work Well
Cucumber peels, salt, citrus peels, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves, and essential oils are often suggested as silverfish repellents.
However, there is limited evidence that these remedies can control an infestation.
Fresh fruit and vegetable peels may rot, grow mold, or attract other pests. Powders and oils may also stain floors, books, walls, or fabrics.
Strong smells may discourage a few silverfish for a short time, but they do not remove the moisture, food, and hiding places that allow the insects to survive.
For better results, focus on keeping the area clean and dry.
How to Prevent Silverfish
You can make your home less welcoming to silverfish by taking these steps:
- Fix leaks quickly.
- Keep indoor humidity low.
- Use exhaust fans in damp rooms.
- Vacuum cracks and baseboards.
- Remove piles of paper and cardboard.
- Store dry food in airtight containers.
- Keep books and fabrics clean and dry.
- Seal cracks around walls, pipes, windows, and doors.
- Use sticky traps to watch for new activity.
FAQ
Are silverfish harmful to humans?
Silverfish do not bite, sting, or spread known diseases. However, they can damage books, wallpaper, clothing, cardboard, and stored food.
Where do silverfish usually hide?
Silverfish usually hide in dark and damp places. These include bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, closets, storage boxes, and spaces behind baseboards.
Does vinegar kill silverfish?
There is little evidence that vinegar can control silverfish. It may help clean food spills, but it will not solve an infestation by itself.
How do you get rid of silverfish quickly?
Vacuum any silverfish you see and place sticky traps near their hiding places. Then fix leaks, lower the humidity, remove clutter, and seal cracks.
These steps work together. Traps alone will not stop silverfish if the home remains damp and full of hiding places.
Does baking soda kill silverfish?
Baking soda is sometimes suggested as a silverfish remedy. However, there is little reliable evidence that it works.
What smells do silverfish dislike?
Cedar, cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and other strong scents are often suggested as repellents. However, there is limited evidence that these smells provide dependable control.
Reducing moisture and removing hiding places are more effective.
How long do silverfish live?
Silverfish develop slowly and may live for several years when conditions are favorable.
Can silverfish survive without food?
Silverfish may survive for many months without food when moisture and other conditions are favorable. This is one reason an established infestation can be difficult to remove.
Why do I have silverfish in a clean house?
Even a clean house may have silverfish if damp hiding places are available.
A leaking pipe, humid bathroom, damp attic, or water-damaged wall may give them the moisture they need. They can also feed on paper, glue, cardboard, and other materials found in most homes.
Takeaway
The best way to control silverfish is to make your home less welcoming to them.
Fix leaks, lower the humidity, vacuum often, remove clutter, and store food and papers properly. Use traps to find the places where silverfish are most active.
Diatomaceous earth or a labeled boric acid product may also help when applied safely. If silverfish continue to appear or cause serious damage, contact a pest-control professional.
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