The Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish

You’re tidying up a rarely opened closet, pulling out a stack of old books or a long-forgotten sweater, when a small, silvery bug darts across the floor. Meet the silverfish—these quick-moving insects thrive in dark, humid corners of the home, and while they don’t bite, their presence is, well, gross and their feeding habits can damage your belongings.

Here’s everything you need to know about identifying, preventing, and getting rid of them for good.

How to Spot a Silverfish Problem

The first sign is often visual. “Homeowners often detect silverfish when they find one on the floor or in a sink or bathtub,” shares pest control expert Jeremy Christopherson of Truly Nolen Pest Control in Tucson, Ariz.

Since they are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing and are commonly found in storage boxes in garages and sheds, “if you suspect an infestation, start by inspecting boxes, bags, or closets where papers and fabrics have been stored for long periods,” suggests Christopherson. “Damage caused by their feeding can also indicate the presence of silverfish, along with their tiny pepper-like feces.”

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

“Addressing a silverfish infestation requires the treatment of both adult silverfish and their harborage,” explains Christopherson. And acting fast is key to success. “These insects reproduce very quickly,” he notes. “Depending on the species, one female silverfish can produce anywhere from one to three eggs each day. And since each individual can live as much as two years, it is extremely important to address an infestation swiftly and in its entirety.”

Follow these steps to help control and eradicate a silverfish problem in your home.

1. Install Dehumidifiers and Fans: “The silverfish bug prefers to live in moist, humid places and need high humidity levels to survive, typically between 75 and 95 percent,” says Christopherson. That makes controlling dampness in your home one of the most effective prevention and elimination strategies. Running dehumidifiers and fans is an excellent first step, especially in basements, crawl spaces, or areas where books are stored.
2. Ventilate Properly: “Low humidity levels can actually delay or stop silverfish eggs from hatching,” says Christopherson. Open vents in crawl spaces and ensure good airflow throughout the home.
3. Repair Leaks: Fix plumbing drips, roof leaks, or condensation issues quickly, since water sources invite pests. “If you have a leaky roof or a damp place in your home where mold can grow, the mold can become a food source for these bugs,” adds Christopherson.
4. Seal Entry Points: Silverfish often nest in dark, damp cracks and crevices. Identify where they’re coming from to target your efforts and use caulking to seal up entry points.
5. Vacuum Thoroughly: Pay attention to baseboards, floorboards, and shelves where eggs might be hiding. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
6. Declutter: Remove old books, newspapers, and magazines that may become feeding sites. “For items that may already have a problem—like books with evidence of silverfish—you can place them in a sealable plastic bag and freeze them for several days to kill any bugs or eggs,” Christopherson says.
7. Use Traps If Needed: Sticky traps designed for silverfish can help monitor the problem and reduce their numbers.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros! For severe infestations, pest control experts can provide treatments that eliminate both adults and eggs more effectively.

Silverfish Prevention Tips

“Stringent sanitation and housekeeping practices may help prevent an infestation by limiting potential feeding sites,” says Christopherson. So think of good housekeeping as your first line of defense. “Vacuum regularly and clean up spilled food or drink immediately,” he instructs. Keeping storage areas tidy can go a long way toward deterring them, too. “Clean closets on a regular basis to help remove harborage areas.”

Check secondhand books, fabrics, or boxes for signs of infestation before bringing them into your home—and be sure to store them properly once you do. “If books or fabrics will be in storage, store these items in sealed plastic containers,” says Christopherson.

With these strategies, you can reclaim your closets, bookshelves, and storage spaces from these unwelcome guests and keep your home fresh, organized, and pest-free.