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Make sure to read the product label of any insecticide you plan to use to find details about the recommended personal protective gear. Typically, it’s advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. If the area has poor ventilation, the manufacturer might suggest wearing a mask or respirator.
Pest Guides Lawn Care Guides

Silverfish Guide

Identify

Inspect

Treat

Prevent

Silverfish Identification Guide

How to Identify Silverfish

Silverfish are small pests known to damage belongings, particularly those made of natural fibers. They are attracted to sugars and starches and thrive on materials such as cotton, silk, and linen. Commonly, silverfish will consume books, wallpaper, carpet, glue, hair, paper, photos, and can also damage tapestries. Fortunately, silverfish do not bite or transmit diseases.

This guide will help you identify silverfish. If you are dealing with a silverfish infestation, keep reading to learn how to locate and eliminate them in your home.

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Silverfish Characteristics

Size

Silverfish typically range in size from 1/2 to 3/4 inches in length.

Shape

Silverfish have a carrot-like body shape and lack wings. They feature two antennae and three long bristles at the rear.

Color

As suggested by their name, adult silverfish have a gray, metallic appearance, giving them a silvery look. Younger silverfish are typically white or cream-colored.

Range

Silverfish can be found throughout the United States.

If you've found silverfish, continue to part 2 of our 4-part guide to learn where silverfish hide in your home. Click the arrow below to read more.

Silverfish Inspection Guide

How to Identify Silverfish in Your Home

Silverfish can damage your belongings if left untreated, so it's important to locate and address an infestation quickly. If you've spotted silverfish in your home or suspect they are present, use this guide to determine where they may be hiding.

Inspect Silverfish Food Sources
Silverfish feed on sugars, starches, and natural fibers. They are particularly drawn to glue, hair, linens, and paper. Silverfish tend to inhabit areas close to their food sources, so if you find these materials, silverfish may be nearby.

Check these areas for silverfish:

  • Bookcases: Silverfish are attracted to the glue in book bindings. Inspect the books themselves, the shelves, and the corners and crevices within the bookcase.
  • Closets: Silverfish favor dark spaces, so closets are a prime hiding spot. Check corners, baseboards, and clothing, especially items that are rarely worn. Pay extra attention to silk, linen, and leather garments.
  • Kitchen Pantries: With both darkness and an abundance of sugars and starches, kitchen pantries are an ideal place for silverfish. Examine corners, crevices, and behind infrequently used pantry items.
  • Behind Wallpaper: Peeling wallpaper can harbor silverfish, as they are attracted to the glue behind it. Check torn or peeling wallpaper and inspect rolls of wallpaper stored in basements or garages.
  • On Mounted Items: Silverfish like the glue used in photo mats and frames. Examine framed pictures and other mounted items for signs of silverfish.
  • Cardboard: Silverfish are particularly drawn to cardboard because it provides a steady food supply. If you store boxes in basements, garages, or unused bedrooms, silverfish could be hiding nearby.

Follow The Humidity
Silverfish thrive in damp, humid environments. To find silverfish, inspect these areas around your home:

  • Attics
  • Basements
  • Bathrooms
  • Kitchens
  • Sinks and Showers
  • Water Heater Closets
  • Crawlspaces
  • Garages
  • Any areas with stored goods

By checking these areas, you can identify potential silverfish hiding spots and take steps toward eliminating them.

Spotted silverfish? Discover how to eliminate them with our guide on getting rid of silverfish. Unsure if you've found a silverfish? Check out our guide on identifying silverfish to confirm.

Silverfish Treatment Guide

How to Eliminate Silverfish

Silverfish are attracted to paper and other organic materials.
If you've discovered silverfish or evidence of them in your home, you can eliminate them using the right products and treatments. Continue reading our guide to learn how to effectively treat and get rid of silverfish on your own.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish
Not sure if you have silverfish? Before starting treatment, it's essential to familiarize yourself with what silverfish look like and where they typically hide in your home.

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Step1 Use High-Quality Products

To effectively combat a silverfish infestation, we recommend using three key types of products: silverfish packs, perimeter bait, and insecticides. By combining all three, you'll achieve the best results in controlling the infestation.

DoMyOwn offers silverfish control kits that include all the necessary products for treatment. Continue reading to learn how to use each product for optimal results.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step1.1 Apply Silverfish Packs

Silverfish packs are an efficient and cost-effective solution for eliminating silverfish. Simply place the packs in areas where silverfish are active, and allow them to feed on the packs, ingesting the poison inside.

Place the packs in areas such as closets, bookcases, attics, basements, storage spaces, and any other locations where you've noticed silverfish.

It may take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to fully reduce the silverfish population, depending on the severity of the infestation.

Products we recommend for Step 1.1

Step1.2 Treat with Perimeter Bait

Incorporating a granular insecticide perimeter bait, such as InTice 10, along with silverfish packs, can further help in eliminating silverfish. Apply the perimeter bait in areas like attics near eaves and vent pipes, basements, crawl spaces, and drop ceilings. Use a shaker or duster to apply the bait around the perimeter of these areas. Avoid applying it in places where children or pets can access.

Additionally, treat cracks and crevices around your home, including those around pipes, outlets, and the exterior of your home.

Products we recommend for Step 1.2

Step1.3 Treat Inside the Home

A liquid insecticide treatment is effective in eliminating silverfish that are living inside your home. Combining this with silverfish packs and perimeter bait will help control your infestation.

To treat the interior of your home, mix an insecticide labeled for silverfish, such as Talstar P, following the instructions on the product label. Typically, use 1 ounce of Talstar P per gallon of water (or the ratio specified on your insecticide label), and mix it in a hand pump sprayer. Be sure to wear protective gloves and long sleeves while handling insecticides.

Apply the insecticide to the following areas of your home:

  • Around door and window frames
  • Under sinks and around pipes
  • In the corners of closets, attics, and basements
  • Beneath kitchen appliances
  • Behind toilets
  • Other areas where silverfish are known to hide

Products we recommend for Step 1.3

Step2 Monitor the Infestation

After completing Step 1, set up glue boards around your home to track your silverfish infestation. Place them in areas where you've observed silverfish, such as in the corners of closets, bathrooms, and bookshelves.

Over time, you should notice a decrease in the number of silverfish on the glue boards. If you continue to see activity after 30 days of treatment, it may be necessary to apply another treatment.

Products we recommend for Step 2

Step3 Control Humidity

Silverfish are drawn to high humidity levels. To reduce moisture in your home, use a powerful fan in the bathroom to quickly lower humidity after a shower. Keep the fan running while you shower and for at least 10 minutes afterward.

If silverfish and humidity are recurring issues in your home, consider investing in a dehumidifier. This appliance removes excess moisture from the air, creating an environment less inviting to silverfish.

Products we recommend for Step 3

    After eliminating the silverfish in your home, refer to our guide on preventing silverfish infestations to learn how to keep them from coming back. Click the right arrow below to read more.

    Silverfish Prevention Guide

    How to Keep Silverfish Out of Your Home and Yard

    Silverfish are known to damage books, fabrics like silk and linen, and other household items. The best way to prevent a silverfish infestation is to make your home unattractive to these pests. Keep reading to learn how to prevent silverfish from entering your home.

    Keep the Humidity Down

    Silverfish thrive in warm, humid environments. Inside your home, they often gather in damp areas such as basements, attics, and bathrooms.

    • Use a strong bathroom fan to help regulate humidity. Keep the fan running during your shower and for at least 10 minutes afterward.
    • Consider using a dehumidifier in areas like the basement or crawlspaces to remove excess moisture. Dehumidifiers create an environment that’s unappealing to silverfish. Investing in one can help solve long-standing humidity problems.

    Seal Off Potential Entry Points

    Silverfish are drawn to sugars and starches and prefer dark environments. Prevent silverfish from entering your home by:

    • Storing food and unused clothing in airtight containers.
    • Keeping closets and pantries sealed, as silverfish are attracted to these areas and will thrive if food is available.

    Get Rid of Old Boxes and Newspapers

    Silverfish are attracted to stacks of cardboard and old newspapers as food sources. Recycle or dispose of any excess boxes or old papers to keep silverfish at bay.

    Treat the Exterior of Your Home

    Silverfish often enter through cracks or gaps outside. To prevent them from coming inside, create a protective barrier around the perimeter of your home. This will also deter other pests like roaches and ants.

    • Mix an insecticide labeled for silverfish, such as Bifen IT, according to the instructions.
    • Apply the insecticide 3 feet up and 3 feet out around your home’s foundation, focusing on potential entry points such as door and window frames, plumbing, and electrical wires.

    Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

    IPM is a proactive approach to prevent pests like silverfish from invading your home. Here are some steps for effective pest prevention:

    • Maintain a 6-inch dry zone around your home, free from mulch or debris.
    • Trim back shrubs and branches to prevent them from touching your home.
    • Regularly remove leaves and debris around your home’s foundation.
    • Apply general insecticides around the perimeter.
    • Vacuum often to remove food crumbs.
    • Keep the interior tidy to eliminate potential hiding spots.
    • Repair or replace broken vent covers to seal entry points.

    Products we recommend for Step

    We hope this 4-part guide was helpful. If you suspect you have silverfish, check out our guide on where silverfish hide in the home and our guide on how to get rid of silverfish for effective solutions to tackle an infestation.

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