Discovering silverfish in your home can be unsettling. These damp-loving insects thrive in humid conditions, and if left unchecked they can damage paper, wallpaper and other starchy materials.
The good news is that you can tackle silverfish yourself, at a fraction of the cost of a professional. But here's the thing most people miss, and the single biggest reason silverfish come back: they treat the silverfish they can see while ignoring the underlying damp that's actually drawing them in. Silverfish are really a symptom of moisture – fix that, and you fix the problem. In our experience, the approach that works is combining a control kit with moisture control, not one without the other.
This guide sets out a straightforward way to identify, prevent and remove silverfish – and to deal with the damp that causes them in the first place.
📋 Quick answer: how to get rid of silverfish
- Confirm hotspots: check bathrooms, kitchens, basements/utility areas, and behind skirting and cupboards (night sightings are common).
- Dry the space first: fix drips and leaks, improve ventilation, and run a dehumidifier in damp rooms – this is the root cause, so it matters most.
- Remove food sources: vacuum edges and cracks, reduce paper and cardboard clutter, and store books and fabrics in sealed tubs.
- Target harbourages: use sticky traps to monitor, and apply powder or spray only into cracks and crevices per the label (not open floors).
- Monitor for 2–3 weeks: activity should steadily drop; if it doesn't, see the "grey silverfish" note below.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are small, silver-grey, wingless insects with long, rounded bodies up to 10–15mm long. They're often described as "cigar-shaped". Silverfish are named for their quick, fish-like movements, and are most commonly found in damp, hot or humid areas such as kitchens, boiler rooms and bathrooms.
Although silverfish are nocturnal, they can be spotted during the day. They're often discovered in baths, sinks or chinaware, because they struggle to climb smooth surfaces. A distinctive feature is the three long bristles at their tail end. They're also notorious for feeding on starchy substances, including glue, wallpaper paste and other carbohydrate-rich foods.
Common Silverfish vs Grey Silverfish (paperfish) – Why it Matters
Not all "silverfish" behave the same. Common silverfish tend to favour more humid areas (bathrooms and kitchens), so drying the space often makes a big difference. Grey silverfish (paperfish) can cope with normal humidity and may show up in living rooms and storage areas, which is why some infestations persist even after you've tackled the damp. If you're seeing widespread activity across multiple rooms, treat it as a whole-home harbourage problem, and consider professional help if DIY control stalls.
Silverfish Behaviour
Understanding silverfish behaviour is crucial for identifying and controlling them effectively. Their lifecycle, feeding habits and environmental preferences all play a role.
Silverfish Lifecycle
Silverfish have three main life stages: egg, nymph and adult.
Eggs: Silverfish lay eggs in small gaps, cracks and crevices, most commonly in damp, hot, humid areas. The eggs are tiny and white, which makes them difficult to spot. Depending on conditions, they can take anywhere from a few weeks to two months to hatch.
Nymphs: Once hatched, nymphs resemble smaller versions of adult silverfish. They undergo a series of moults, shedding their skins and gradually growing larger. During this stage they actively seek out starchy materials for food.
Adults: Adult silverfish are about 10–15mm long, with a distinctive silver-grey colour. They reach maturity after 3–4 months in ideal conditions, typically living between one and three years. In cooler climates it can take up to two years to reach maturity.
Adult silverfish continue to moult throughout their lives, with some species reported to moult up to 50 times. One notable species can even regenerate lost legs during subsequent moults.
Silverfish Reproduction
Female silverfish can produce eggs throughout the year, laying up to 3 eggs per day or clusters of up to 20 at a time. The eggs are deposited in hard-to-find places, including cracks inside the bathroom, kitchen or attic. Their ability to lay so many eggs so quickly is exactly why acting early matters.
What Do Silverfish Eat?
Silverfish have a strong preference for starchy materials. Their diet includes:
- Starch and carbohydrate: silverfish love starchy substances such as glue, wallpaper paste and book bindings. They're also attracted to carbohydrate food debris, including potatoes, cereals and crumbs.
- Protein: less commonly, silverfish may also consume silk, dead insects, and even other silverfish if food is scarce.
Understanding their feeding habits helps you identify likely infestation sites, so you can take effective prevention measures to limit their ability to thrive and multiply.
Silverfish and Damp Conditions
Silverfish thrive in damp, warm and humid environments, so their presence often points to underlying dampness and moisture problems in the home. Addressing that damp is the most important part of getting rid of them for good.
- Kitchens and bathrooms: particularly prone to silverfish due to high humidity. Ensure regular ventilation and use extractor fans to reduce moisture.
- Basements and attics: these often have higher humidity and are cleaned less often, making them ideal habitats. Use dehumidifiers to keep these spaces dry.
Identifying Silverfish Infestations
Recognising a silverfish infestation early is crucial, as they breed quickly. Here are the key signs to look for.
Physical sightings
Silverfish are most commonly spotted in moist, humid environments, including bathrooms, kitchens, basements and attics. Their quick movements and distinctive appearance make the adults relatively easy to identify.
Damage to starchy materials
Look for damage on paper, books, wallpaper, cardboard and fabrics. Silverfish leave irregular holes and may also produce yellow stains on infested items.
Shed skins and droppings
As they grow, silverfish shed their skins, which accumulate in infested areas. Their droppings are small, pepper-like pellets often found near feeding sites.
Preventing Silverfish
Preventative measures are essential for managing silverfish and reducing the risk of infestation. The most important, by some distance, is controlling moisture.
Reduce humidity
Silverfish thrive in humid conditions. Use dehumidifiers in damp areas and ensure good ventilation throughout your home. Fix any leaks, and use extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens to keep these areas dry.
Regular cleaning
Keep a consistent cleaning routine of vacuuming and dusting, especially in less-disturbed areas like behind furniture and in cupboards. Pay attention to spots where crumbs and food debris gather.
Proper storage of materials
Store paper products, books and fabrics in airtight containers. Use plastic bins with tight-fitting lids to protect these items from silverfish.
Seal entry points
Inspect your home for entry points such as cracks and crevices around windows, doors and pipes, and seal these areas to stop silverfish getting in.
Natural and Pesticide-Free DIY Silverfish Control
For light silverfish activity, it's often worth starting with non-chemical or pesticide-free methods, especially alongside moisture reduction and cleaning. These help reduce activity and monitor hotspots before you move to stronger treatments.
Pesticide-free silverfish sprays: a pesticide-free spray labelled for silverfish or crawling insects is a good first step for spot-treating visible silverfish and harbourages. Use it in cracks, crevices, along skirting boards and behind furniture where the label allows.
Essential oils (repellent support): cedar, lavender and citrus oils are sometimes used as natural repellents. They may help deter silverfish in some areas, but they're best used as a supporting measure rather than a standalone solution.
Diatomaceous earth: a fine, food-grade natural powder some people apply in dry cracks, along skirting and in undisturbed corners as a gentle option. One caveat for silverfish in particular: it only works while completely dry, and silverfish live in damp conditions – so its usefulness here is limited, and drying the space out will always do more. Keep it to dry spots and reapply if disturbed.
Silverfish traps (sticky / pre-baited): sticky or pre-baited silverfish traps help catch silverfish and monitor activity. Place them in dark, humid areas such as bathrooms, utility rooms, under sinks, and around storage spaces.
Homemade traps: a simple DIY option is a small glass jar with textured tape on the outside so silverfish can climb in, with a little attractant inside (such as flour or cereal). This helps with monitoring and catching a few silverfish, but won't usually solve a wider infestation on its own.
Chemical Solutions for Silverfish
If non-chemical or pesticide-free methods aren't enough, you may need a targeted insecticide treatment. Always use products exactly as directed on the label, ventilate well, and keep children and pets away until treated areas are dry and safe to re-enter.
Insecticide sprays (fast knockdown / targeted use): silverfish insecticide sprays can spot-treat visible silverfish and target harbourages such as cracks, crevices, skirting edges and behind furniture (where the label allows). These are most useful for quick control of visible activity.
Residual insecticide powders or sprays: for longer-lasting control and treatment, residual sprays or powders (where labelled for silverfish) can be applied where silverfish hide and travel, such as skirting boards, gaps around fittings, and storage areas. Once dry, residual treatments keep working for a period on treated surfaces.
For best results, combine treatments with moisture control, decluttering, cleaning and monitoring traps, since silverfish are so strongly linked to damp, hidden harbourages.
Cleaning and Repairing After Silverfish Infestations
Deep clean
Vacuum and steam clean infested areas to remove any lingering eggs, nymphs or food sources. Pay special attention to cracks and crevices where silverfish hide.
Repair damaged areas
Fix any water leaks and repair damp areas to prevent future infestations. Replace or repair damaged wallpaper, books and other materials affected by silverfish.
When to Use Professional Pest Control Services for Silverfish
If a silverfish infestation persists despite your best efforts, it may be time to call in professionals, who can offer more powerful, targeted solutions and tailored advice. You can find a qualified controller through the BPCA directory. It's worth escalating if silverfish appear across multiple rooms, you can't find the moisture source, or activity doesn't drop after 2–3 weeks of DIY control (which can point to grey silverfish).
Silverfish FAQs
Are silverfish a sign of damp?
Often, yes. Silverfish thrive in humid, poorly ventilated areas, so regular sightings can be a clue you've got condensation, a small leak, or a consistently damp spot (bathrooms, kitchens, basements, utility cupboards).
Why do I keep finding silverfish in my bathroom or kitchen?
These rooms usually provide what silverfish like most: moisture, warmth and hiding places. Common triggers include damp around pipework, condensation behind cabinets, cluttered cupboards (paper and cardboard), and gaps behind skirting or tiles.
Where do silverfish hide during the day?
Silverfish avoid light and tuck into tight, undisturbed gaps, such as behind skirting boards and loose wallpaper, under sinks and around pipe entries, inside cupboards (especially where paper or cardboard is stored), and around floor edges, cracks and crevices.
Do silverfish bite?
Silverfish don't usually bite people. The bigger issue is nuisance and damage – they can feed on starchy materials like paper, wallpaper paste, book bindings and some fabrics.
What's the difference between silverfish and grey silverfish (paperfish)?
Common silverfish are more tied to damp, humid rooms. Grey silverfish (paperfish) can cope in drier, normal household humidity and may show up across more rooms (including living areas and storage). If you've improved ventilation but sightings are still widespread, grey silverfish may be a factor.
How long does it take to get rid of silverfish?
With a solid plan (drying the area, decluttering, sealing gaps, plus traps and targeted treatment), you should see numbers fall within 14–21 days. Keep monitoring for a few weeks to confirm activity stays low.
Do silverfish traps work?
Yes – sticky traps are very useful for monitoring and reducing occasional visitors. They also show you where the hotspots are so you can focus cleaning, drying and proofing. For heavier activity, traps work best alongside crack-and-crevice treatment and moisture control.
When should I call a professional?
Get help if silverfish are appearing in multiple rooms, you can't identify the moisture source, activity doesn't drop after 2–3 weeks of DIY control, or you suspect grey silverfish with widespread harbourage.
Final Thoughts
We've shared our recommendations on how to stop silverfish yourself. Early identification and prompt action matter – but the thing that actually clears silverfish, and keeps them gone, is tackling the damp. In our experience the reliable route is a control kit combined with moisture control: the kit deals with the silverfish, and drying the space out removes the conditions they need. Do one without the other and they tend to return.
If DIY methods don't work for you, don't hesitate to seek professional help. Taking control of the conditions in your home is what keeps it healthy and pest-free.
At PestBuddy, we're here to empower you with effective, fast and easy-to-use DIY silverfish control products and kits. Explore our range to take control of your pest problem with confidence.
