All About Silverfish – Identify and Deter These Quick Insects

It’s midnight. You flip on the hall light and catch a silvery flicker running toward the baseboard. That’s a silverfish – ancient and fast. Silverfish are nocturnal insects that roam homes at night in search of food and water. If you’re dealing with silverfish in your house, or want to avoid them altogether, read on and learn how to get rid of silverfish and keep them from taking over your space. 

First, What Are Silverfish? 

Silverfish are wingless insects that move with an agile and quick “fish-like” glide and keep growing and shedding throughout their adult lives. They have flat bodies that allow them to easily squeeze through small gaps and infest a space. They bolt when light comes on to avoid being spotted by predators and prefer dark, damp environments.

What Does a Silverfish Look Like? 

Silverfish adults are silvery-gray and typically ½ to ¾ inches long with a flattened body that tapers toward their tail. They have two long antennae on their head, and three bristle-like filaments at the end of their body. Silverfish are covered in fine silver scales that give them a soft shimmer. 

Silverfish Habitat: Where Do Silverfish Come From? 

Humidity is a silverfish magnet, which is why they are common in bathrooms or damp basements. They prefer dark and hidden areas and thrive under rocks, logs, and leaf litter. Silverfish in a house commonly come from small cracks in the home’s foundation, gaps around pipes, or loose door sweeps in search of cool and moist spaces.

Are Silverfish Harmful? More Importantly, Do Silverfish Bite? 

Silverfish do not bite. They do not have mouthparts needed to pierce skin. The real risk of silverfish is their grazing on starchy materials like, paper, glue, and fabrics – exactly what books, photos, and wallpaper paste are made of. Silverfish damage shows up as surface scraping, small irregular holes, and yellowish staining. 

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation 

You may have a growing silverfish infestation if you notice: live insects at night, tiny pepper-like droppings, silver-gray scales, yellowish smudges on paper or fabrics, or small irregular holes in books and clothing. Spotting several of these in one area is your cue to start utilizing silverfish pest control methods.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

If you want to know how to get rid of silverfish bugs – layer your approach: dry things out, remove food sources, and add professional silverfish control to help kill pests on contact and deter more from entering. 

Follow these steps for silverfish insect control:

1. Reduce Moisture

Run bath fans long enough to clear steam, fix sneaky leaks, insulate sweating pipes, use dehumidifiers in damp rooms, and lift storage off concrete. Dry air alone can get rid of silverfish.

     2. Remove Food Sources

Trade cardboard for plastic bins, keep papers and fabrics in sealed containers, and store pantry goods in airtight containers. 

     3. Get Professional Silverfish Treatment 

Services from the pros, like your local Mosquito Squad Plus^®, can identify and target areas where silverfish thrive and can get into your space. Our home shield service kills pests on contact and continues to deter them for up to 21 days.

Removing the conditions that attract silverfish is the best way to get them to retreat and search for a better environment.

How to Prevent Silverfish

Once you’ve gotten rid of silverfish, continue to keep them out with these methods for silverfish control:

• Keep indoor humidity near or under 50% when you can.
• Vent bathrooms and laundry fully (not into attics).
• Seal cracks in the foundation of your home.
• Fix roof, window, and plumbing leaks.
• Rotate and air out stored items, so boxes don’t sit for years. 
• Use sealed containers for pantry staples and archival papers.

Call the Pros for Reliable Control 

When you contact Mosquito Squad Plus^® to step in, a specialist will deliver silverfish insect control precisely where pests live, recommend follow-ups that reduce populations, and treat entry points for lasting control. 

Discover how the Squad^® can help protect your home with silverfish pest control when you call (877) 332-2239 or request a cost-free quote online.