How to Rid Yourself of Silverfish

Identifiable through the insect’s silvery appearance and fish-like shape, silverfish are found throughout the United States in moist, humid areas in the home like bathrooms, basements, and attics.

Silverfish are not a threat to humans. They do not bite. They do not carry disease. What they can do is harm personal belongings, especially those made out of paper. They consume the carbohydrates, such as rolled oats and dried beef. If one encounters a dead or injured silverfish, the healthy silverfish will eat them too.

Overall, this nuisance pest can be tricky to rid of, but possible. There’s essentially two paths: remove the food or remove the environment.

Remove food sources

In a pantry and basements, make sure your food storage is stored in sealed containers. According to Texas A&M, these chewing insects will eat flour, fried meat, rolled oats, paper, and even glue. Remove clutter which can be effective hiding places. This includes old papers, magazines, and books, which can become food sources for silverfish. Store items in airtight bins if needed.

Reduce humidity

If possible, take away the humid conditions silverfish thrive in. Inside the home, seal leaky pipes, make sure rooms are well ventilated, and use a dehumidifier in the basement. On the outside, caulk exterior cracks and clean gutters of debris.

Clear clutter

This could be easily done in a bathroom, but in libraries and pantries, removing paper and carbs can mean removing all of the contents inside an affected room. If there is only one or two silverfish found, there is no cause for alarm. Several bugs in a short period of time can indicate an issue. This could be easily done in a bathroom, but in libraries and pantries, removing paper and carbs can mean removing all of the contents inside an affected room. If there is only one or two silverfish found, there is no cause for alarm. Several bugs in a short period of time can indicate an issue.