How To Get Rid Of Silverfish

Silverfish in Australia

Domestic silverfish are common inhabitants of houses and are often found in dark sheltered areas. They like undisturbed places such as cupboards and bookshelves.

They are wingless with a long, soft body covered in silvery-grey scales and are about 15 mm long. Silverfish are nocturnal and not often seen by day.

Whilst they don’t bite, silverfish are a creepy nuisance that can be destructive to your belongings. They feed mainly on paper and fabric found around the home.

How Do Silverfish Get Into A Home?

Domestic silverfish are common inhabitants of houses and are often found in dark sheltered areas. They like undisturbed places such as in cupboards and bookshelves.Silverfish are often brought into new homes in cardboard cartons, books and papers from infested sites.

What Are The Signs Of A Silverfish Problem?

Silverfish are nocturnal and move very fast, making them hard to see. They live on a diet that includes starchy foods, paper, and fabric.

Generally, most people become aware they have Silverfish for the first time when they see small holes in their clothes in wardrobes.

You can also notice their presence because of what they leave behind. Look for damp, dark areas with small spots of excrement that look like black pepper. Yellowish stains on clothing, cereal boxes and other cardboard or fabric materials also indicate they’re nearby. Finally, silverfish shed their skin, so you can look around for tiny skin casts in your bathroom, basement and other areas where you suspect they live.

Silverfish live and develop in dark, damp, cool places, especially bathrooms and basements. Large numbers may be found in new buildings in which the masonry is still damp. Because silverfish need and seek moisture, they are frequently found trapped in sinks and bathtubs. They may also be found in bookcases, behind window and door frames, around closet shelves and behind skirting boards.

What Can You Do To Help Control Silverfish?

• Fix Damp Spots – Leaky pipes, water condensation, damp basements, and humidity provide an attractive environment for silverfish.
• Eliminate Food Sources – Silverfish eat starches and sugars found in paper, glue, book bindings, insulation, and cardboard boxes, and they are usually found pretty close to their food source. Use airtight plastic storage bins for paper and get rid of anything that you find full of silverfish.
• Don’t leave piles of books or paper on the floor
• Clean up your dirty laundry before it sits out too long
• Vacuum Crevices – Silverfish hide and lay their eggs in cracks and crevices. Dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in the rubbish bin outside so they can’t crawl out again
• Vacuum at least once a week. When necessary, you can dry out your carpets by sprinkling them with baking soda, leaving it for a few hours, then vacuuming it up. This dries out the eggs so you can suck them up.

Why Have A Professional Silverfish Treatment?

• Reduces the risk of having a major infestation and will manage your silverfish problem over time
• A qualified pest control operator is trained to determine the extent of the infestation
• A regular service/treatment will keep silverfish breeding to a minimum
• Commercial treatments are more effective as they target the specific silverfish species
• Professional technicians are trained in silverfish biology and breeding habits. They know what type of treatment suits the silverfish and the environment