How Do You Get Rid of Silverfish?
Silverfish are controlled mainly by drying out the humid rooms where they live, removing the paper, cardboard and starchy foods they eat, sealing cracks, and treating cracks and crevices where needed. They are nocturnal, wingless insects that hide during the day, so homeowners often find the damage before the insects. Saela Pest Control is a residential and commercial pest control company, based in Orem, Utah, that provides the best silverfish control for homes and businesses, with protocols developed by Board Certified Entomologist Dennis Weiss. This guide covers identification, signs, prevention and what professional silverfish control involves.
What Silverfish Are and Where They Live
The common silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is a shiny, silver or pearl-gray insect about ½ inch long, with a body that tapers toward the tail, two long antennae and three long, thin tail filaments. UC IPM’s pest note on silverfish and firebrats describes both as wingless, soft-bodied insects covered in delicate scales as adults. Firebrats look similar but are mottled gray or brown.
Silverfish live and develop in damp, warm places, and UC IPM notes they prefer areas such as laundry rooms that stay between 71°F and 90°F. That puts bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms and kitchens at the top of the list. A few facts explain why they are hard to get rid of:
- Silverfish can live for several months without food, so a short break in their food supply won’t end an infestation
- They are nocturnal and hide during the day, and they molt continuously throughout a life that UC IPM puts at about 3 years
- Firebrats prefer very warm, dry places such as around ovens, furnaces, hot water pipes and summer attics, so where you find the insect helps identify it
Signs of Silverfish Infestation
The most common signs are irregular holes and surface feeding on paper, book bindings, wallpaper and fabric, often with tiny scales nearby. Because silverfish hide by day, most people notice the damage or catch one in a sink or tub before they see a group. Saela’s guide to the areas of a home most vulnerable to silverfish shows where to look first.
Page discoloration often comes from fungi associated with their feeding, according to UC IPM, and silverfish feed on dry foods such as cereals, flour, pasta and pet food. Check stored boxes, bookshelves and pantry shelves, especially in damp rooms. When you inspect, look for:
- Irregularly shaped holes in wallpaper, books, papers or cardboard boxes
- Shed skins and dustlike scales in dark, humid spots such as under sinks
- Activity at night around plumbing fixtures, bathtubs and basement corners, checked with a flashlight
Do Silverfish Cause Damage?
Silverfish have no stinger and are mainly a nuisance, but they can damage paper and fabric when they go unchecked. Mississippi State University Extension’s silverfish article notes that damage to books and paper can be significant when items are stored for long periods in moist, humid areas such as basements or attics.
They feed on book bindings, stored papers, wallpaper, photographs and cotton fabrics, and occasionally on cotton, linen or silk clothing. UC IPM adds paper with glue or paste and starch in clothing to the list. Stored keepsakes and documents in damp spaces are the items most at risk.
Prevention Strategies
Preventing silverfish comes down to moisture, food and hiding places. If those three are reduced, the insects have little reason to stay.
Start with humidity: UC IPM recommends keeping basements, laundry rooms and bathrooms, especially shower stalls, clean and dry, and running dehumidifiers in closed spaces. Then move stored paper and fabrics into sealed containers and clear out cardboard. Useful steps include:
- Run dehumidifiers and bathroom fans, and improve ventilation in basements and laundry rooms
- Store books, papers, photographs and clothing in sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes
- Fix plumbing leaks, caulk cracks around pipes and baseboards, and keep dry foods in sealed containers
Professional Treatment Options
Professional silverfish treatment starts with an inspection to find where the insects hide and why the area stays damp. Every Saela plan includes a 50+ point property inspection covering nesting sites, basements and attics.
Treatment then targets the cracks and crevices where silverfish rest, along with moisture fixes and clutter reduction. Mississippi State recommends good moisture management, sanitation and exclusion alongside crack-and-crevice applications of labeled products. Baits aren’t very successful for silverfish, UC IPM explains, because they tend not to feed on them, which is why placement in their hiding spots matters.
Why Choose Professional Pest Control Services
Do-it-yourself steps such as drying rooms and storing paper in plastic go a long way, but a professional helps when silverfish keep returning. A technician can find hidden harborage, identify whether you have silverfish or firebrats and choose labeled products for cracks and voids.
Professional treatment is also easier to follow up on. Saela’s article on silverfish exterminators explains when outside help makes sense. The main advantages are:
- Inspection of hidden areas such as wall voids, crawl spaces, attics and behind baseboards
- Correct identification of silverfish versus firebrats, which live in different conditions
- Targeted treatment of cracks and crevices rather than broad spraying
How Saela Approaches Silverfish
Saela uses an integrated pest management cycle of pest identification, activity monitoring, targeted treatment and evaluation, adjusting based on the results. Its IPM approach includes sealing entry points and reducing accessible food, water and shelter, which are the same conditions that keep silverfish around.
Saela’s protocols are developed by Dennis Weiss, Saela’s board-certified entomologist, who holds the Entomological Society of America’s Board Certified Entomologist credential and also trains Saela’s technicians.
Long-term Management Strategies
Long-term silverfish control means keeping humidity down and checking for new activity, because silverfish can survive months without food. Recheck basements, bathrooms and storage areas each season, and use sticky traps, which UC IPM suggests for detection, to see whether numbers are falling. Silverfish are also prey for house centipedes, so Saela’s centipede control guide is worth reading if you see both.
Saela plans include no-charge return visits for covered pests between scheduled services. In a February 2024 Google review, Terry Sotta wrote that technician Justin “is quick, thorough, checks to determine if we have any issues & addresses them.”
Choosing Lower-Impact Treatments
The lowest-impact silverfish control is non-chemical: drying, decluttering, sealing and storing items properly. Those steps also reduce the chance that silverfish come back after a treatment.
When a product is needed, ask your provider what it is, where it will be applied and how to prepare. The National Pesticide Information Center suggests asking for product names and EPA registration numbers and whether a company will discuss low-toxicity options.
Cost Considerations and Value
The cost of silverfish control depends on how widespread the activity is, the size of the property and how many visits are needed. Saela doesn’t publish one universal price; it quotes based on pest type, location, property size, visit frequency and treatment products.
Saela’s pricing page explains how plans work. Compare the covered pests, visit schedule and return-visit terms when you compare quotes.
Key Takeaways on Silverfish Control
Silverfish thrive where it is warm, damp and full of paper, starch and clutter. Lower the humidity, store paper and fabric in sealed containers, fix leaks and seal cracks, and most silverfish problems shrink. QualityPro’s accredited-company directory lists Saela if you want to check a provider’s credentials.
If they keep showing up, a professional inspection can find the hidden harborage and moisture source. Targeted crack-and-crevice treatment then works alongside the moisture and storage changes.
Getting Help With Silverfish
If you’re finding silverfish or their damage in bathrooms, basements or stored boxes, Saela can inspect the property and recommend a plan. Saela’s Altamonte Springs, Florida location is rated 4.9 out of 5 from 341 reviews on Google as of October 2026.
To schedule an inspection, book a call with Saela.
Who wrote this article?
Devin Hutchings (Marketing Director at Saela Pest Control) wrote this article.
Devin leads Saela’s marketing and growth strategy. He brings more than 15 years of marketing experience across Uber, C.R. England, Lugg, and Neighbor. His background spans customer acquisition, retention, and developing marketing channels for service businesses and consumer marketplaces.
