Silverfish Control

What Are Silverfish?

Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless insects with a silvery, metallic appearance and an elongated, tear-shaped body. Their wiggling, fish-like movement gives them their unusual name. Typically about ½ to ¾ inch long, silverfish are fast-moving and active mostly at night, making them elusive pests. These pests are quite hardy and can survive in various environments, but they thrive in dark, damp, and humid areas, such as bathrooms, basements, and attics.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Even though silverfish are sneaky and prefer to hide during the day, there are several tell-tale signs that you might have an infestation:

Shed Skin: As they grow, silverfish shed their outer skin. Finding these translucent exoskeletons in your home is a sign of their presence.
Feeding Damage: Silverfish are notorious for nibbling on starchy items, including wallpaper, books, clothing, and even pantry food. Look for small, irregular holes or yellow stains.
Droppings: Their pepper-like droppings can be found in places where silverfish are active, such as under sinks, around bookshelves, or in closets.
Sightings: While silverfish are nocturnal, you might occasionally spot one darting across the bathroom floor at night or in another humid part of your house.

Dangers Posed by Silverfish

While silverfish are not dangerous to humans in the way that some pests are—meaning they don’t bite or carry diseases—they can still be a major nuisance. The biggest concern with silverfish is the damage they cause to household items. They feed on materials rich in starches and carbohydrates, which can include:

Books and papers (including cherished family photos and important documents)
Clothing, upholstery, and linens
Food packaging like cereal, flour, and pasta
Wallpaper and glue behind your walls
Carpets and rugs

Left unchecked, silverfish infestations can lead to costly damage to your personal belongings and home. Plus, their presence in high numbers can make your living space feel less clean and comfortable.

How Are Silverfish Introduced to Your Home?

Silverfish can enter your home through a few different avenues:

Gaps and Cracks: They slip in through tiny cracks in your foundation, walls, or windows.
Brought in on Boxes: Sometimes silverfish hitch a ride in cardboard boxes or storage items you bring into the house, especially if they’ve been sitting in a damp basement or garage.
Moisture Sources: Silverfish are drawn to homes that provide a perfect mix of moisture and warmth, such as leaky pipes, damp basements, and poorly ventilated attics.

Once inside, silverfish breed quickly and can set up a long-term residence if the conditions are right.

Conditions That Attract Silverfish in and Around the Home

Silverfish are most attracted to environments that provide moisture, warmth, and a food source. Here are some conditions that make your home an ideal spot for them:

High humidity levels (above 75%) in areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements
Leaky pipes or faucets that create dampness
Cluttered spaces like attics, basements, or garages where paper and fabric pile up
Poor ventilation in enclosed spaces
Crumbling wallpaper or old books left unattended
Dark, secluded spaces where they can hide and reproduce without disturbance

10 Interesting Facts About Silverfish

Ancient creatures: Silverfish are one of the oldest known insects, with fossils dating back over 400 million years!
Long lifespan: Silverfish can live up to 8 years, much longer than most household pests.
Love of carbs: They have a sweet tooth for starches and sugars found in paper, glue, and fabrics.
Super survivalists: Silverfish can live without food for several months, as long as they have access to moisture.
Speedy runners: Though they don’t fly, silverfish can scurry incredibly fast, making them hard to catch.
Molting champs: Silverfish molt throughout their lives, shedding their skin more than 50 times.
Night owls: Silverfish are nocturnal and prefer to forage when it’s dark and quiet.
Water dependency: They can’t survive without moisture, so they’re often found in damp areas.
Social bugs: Silverfish often gather in groups, making infestations grow quickly.
Tough to kill: Their bodies are covered in tiny scales that make them slippery and hard to squash.

Tips for Controlling Silverfish

To manage silverfish infestations, it’s essential to make your home less inviting to them. Here are some actionable tips:

Reduce humidity by using a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
Fix leaky pipes and faucets to eliminate moisture sources.
Seal up cracks in walls, baseboards, and foundations to keep them out.
Declutter storage areas by organizing papers, books, and fabric items.
Use airtight containers for storing dry foods in your pantry to avoid contamination.
Vacuum regularly to clean up crumbs, dust, and dead skin cells, which silverfish feed on.
Apply diatomaceous earth in areas where silverfish are active. This natural powder dehydrates and kills them.
Eliminate standing water in places like sinks and bathtubs overnight.
Ventilate rooms to improve air circulation and reduce moisture buildup.
Check cardboard boxes and items before bringing them into the house.

Why It's Best for Professionals to Handle a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish are experts at hiding and can quickly multiply if not controlled properly. While DIY solutions can help manage small infestations, professional pest control services are far more effective in eradicating silverfish completely. Trained technicians know where silverfish hide, how to spot the early signs of infestation, and use treatments that target their breeding areas. Plus, professionals can provide ongoing prevention strategies to ensure they don’t come back.

If you’re tired of sharing your home with sneaky silverfish, it’s time to take action. At Pasadena Pest Control, we’ll kick those pesky silverfish out for good—no more scurrying surprises in the middle of the night. Call us today for expert help, because nothing says “I love my home” like getting rid of unwelcome house guests… especially the ones that eat your favorite book!

Home Protection Plan

This pest is considered a “General Pest” and is covered under our General Pest Home Protection Plan. For more information on our Home Protection Plan, see here.

Call Pasadena Pest Control—Because Chasing Roaches at 2 A.M. is So Last Season

Let’s face it, chasing down oriental roaches in your basement at midnight is not how you want to spend your time. Call Pasadena Pest Control, and we’ll handle these pests faster than you can say, “Why does my house smell like old gym socks?” Time to get serious about your roach problem—give us a shout today!

Questions Others are asking

We ❤️ love helping new customers! Don’t see your question answered below? Call us and we’ll
be happy to provide more information.

What do silverfish look like?

Silverfish are small, teardrop-shaped insects with metallic, silvery scales and long antennae.

Do silverfish cause damage?

Yes, silverfish feed on paper, fabrics, and other starchy materials, causing damage to books, clothing, and wallpaper.

How can I prevent silverfish?

Reduce humidity, seal cracks, and store paper products in sealed containers.