Nobody wants to see those creepy, silvery bugs scurrying around their home. Silverfish are small, wingless insects that love damp places and can cause real damage to your books, clothes, and other belongings. The good news is that learning how to get rid of silverfish doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
These ancient pests have been around for millions of years, but that doesn’t mean they belong in your house. Silverfish eat everything from paper and glue to fabrics and even dead skin cells. They can live for up to 8 years and lay hundreds of eggs, so a small problem can quickly become a big one.
This guide will show you some different ways to eliminate silverfish from your home. You’ll start with simple, natural methods that are safe for families and pets, then learn about stronger treatments for serious infestations. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to get rid of silverfish and keep them from coming back.
1. Reduce Moisture and Humidity Levels
The most important step in getting rid of silverfish is making your home less appealing to them. These bugs need high humidity to survive, so controlling moisture is your best defense. Silverfish thrive when humidity levels reach 75% or higher, but your goal is to keep humidity below 60% throughout your home.
Start by using a dehumidifier in basements, bathrooms, and other damp areas. These machines pull moisture from the air and can make a huge difference in just a few days. Next, fix any leaks around your home by checking under sinks, around toilets, and near water heaters. Even small drips can create the perfect environment for silverfish.
Improve air circulation by opening windows when weather permits and turning on exhaust fans when cooking or showering. Leave fans running for at least 30 minutes after you’re done to remove excess moisture. You can also add ventilation to problem areas by installing small fans or improving existing vents to keep air moving.
Place silica gel packets in drawers, closets, and storage areas to absorb moisture from the air and help keep small spaces dry. When you control moisture effectively, you’re taking away what silverfish need most to survive. This method works best when combined with other treatments, but it’s the foundation of any successful silverfish elimination plan.
2. Create Homemade Starchy Traps
One of the easiest ways to catch silverfish is by using their love of starchy foods against them. This simple trap costs almost nothing to make and works really well because silverfish can climb up textured surfaces but can’t climb back out on smooth glass.
To make the trap, wrap masking tape around the outside of a glass jar, leaving the tape a bit loose so it has texture. Fill the jar with a small amount of flour, oatmeal, or dry cereal as bait. Place these traps in areas where you’ve seen silverfish activity, such as bathrooms, basements, closets, and near bookshelves.
Check the traps every few days, and when you find silverfish inside, dispose of them by sealing the jar and throwing it away or dumping the contents into a trash bag. Replace the bait regularly to keep the traps effective, as fresh flour or cereal works better than old, stale bait.
This method is completely safe for homes with children and pets, and the traps are reusable. Simply clean them out and add fresh bait when needed. While these traps won’t eliminate a large infestation on their own, they’re excellent for monitoring silverfish activity and reducing their numbers over time.
3. Use Wet Newspaper Traps
This old-fashioned method has been helping people catch silverfish for decades because it takes advantage of their preference for dark, damp hiding places during the day. A rolled-up wet newspaper gives silverfish exactly what they’re looking for: a cozy hiding spot with moisture.
Prepare the trap by taking a few sheets of newspaper and rolling them up loosely. Wet the newspaper with water until it’s damp but not dripping, then place the traps in areas where you’ve noticed silverfish. Good locations include along baseboards, in corners, under sinks, and in other dark areas where these bugs like to hide.
Wait patiently for 2-3 days while silverfish crawl into the newspaper to hide and may even start making nests inside. After this time, carefully pick up the newspaper without unrolling it and place it in a sealed trash bag. Some people prefer to burn the newspaper if they have a safe place to do so.
Repeat this process as needed until you stop catching silverfish. This method works best when you use several traps at once and replace them regularly. The wet newspaper method is completely non-toxic and safe for everyone in your household, plus it’s a good way to recycle old newspapers while solving your silverfish problem.
4. Deploy Sticky Traps
Store-bought sticky traps are one of the most reliable ways to catch silverfish because they use a strong adhesive to capture bugs that walk across them. You can find silverfish sticky traps at most hardware stores and online, and they usually come as small, flat rectangles with a very sticky surface protected by a removable cover.
Set up the traps by removing the protective cover and placing them along walls where silverfish travel. These bugs usually walk along baseboards and stay close to walls, so positioning is important. Choose good locations like bathroom corners, basement areas, closets, and anywhere you’ve seen silverfish activity.
Check the traps regularly and replace them when they get full of bugs or after about a month, as dusty or dirty traps become less sticky and won’t catch as many silverfish. Use multiple traps for better results since silverfish can be active in different areas of your home, and placing several traps increases your chances of catching them.
Sticky traps are especially useful because they help you figure out where silverfish are most active. When you find traps with lots of bugs, you know you’ve found a problem area that needs extra attention. Keep these traps away from areas where small children or pets might touch them, as the adhesive can be difficult to remove from skin or fur.
5. Apply Diatomaceous Earth Powder
Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder made from tiny fossilized sea creatures that looks harmless but is deadly to silverfish and other insects. The powder works by cutting into the waxy coating on silverfish bodies, causing them to dry out and die within a few days. The best part is that diatomaceous earth is completely safe for humans and pets when you use the food-grade version.
Buy food-grade diatomaceous earth at garden centers or online, and avoid pool-grade diatomaceous earth, which is treated with chemicals. Apply thin layers of powder along baseboards, in corners, and around areas where silverfish are active. You don’t need much because a light dusting is more effective than thick piles.
Focus on travel routes where silverfish walk, as these bugs often follow the same paths, so putting powder in these areas increases the chances they’ll walk through it. Remember to reapply after cleaning or if the powder gets wet, since diatomaceous earth only works when it’s dry.
Keep the powder away from food preparation areas even though it’s food-safe, and use this method primarily in basements, bathrooms, and other areas away from where you prepare meals. The powder can take several days to work, so be patient. You might not see dead silverfish right away, but the powder will do its job as long as it stays dry.
6. Sprinkle Borax or Boric Acid
Borax and boric acid are powerful tools in the fight against silverfish that work by disrupting the silverfish’s digestive system when they eat it and damaging their outer shell, causing them to dry out and die. These white powders are poisonous to silverfish but relatively safe for humans when used properly.
Use borax safely by sprinkling a thin layer in areas where silverfish are active but children and pets can’t reach. Good spots include behind appliances, in corners of basements, and inside cabinets. You can also make bait stations by mixing borax with flour or powdered sugar, as the sweet or starchy smell attracts silverfish and they’ll consume the deadly mixture.
Try boric acid if you can’t find borax, as it works the same way but is sometimes easier to find in stores. Look for it in the pest control section of hardware stores. When applying either substance, wear gloves and avoid breathing the powder, as these substances can irritate skin and lungs if you’re not careful.
Keep these products away from food and make sure pets and children can’t access treated areas. Although these products are less toxic than many pesticides, they’re still poisonous if eaten in large amounts. Be patient because it can take several days or weeks to see full results, as the borax and boric acid need time to work and eliminate the entire silverfish population.
7. Use Cedar Oil and Cedar Products
Cedar is a natural enemy of silverfish because the strong smell repels these bugs, and cedar oil can even kill them when used in higher concentrations. Cedar has been used for pest control for centuries because the oils in cedar wood contain compounds that are toxic to many insects, including silverfish. The smell that humans find pleasant is overwhelming and dangerous to these bugs.
Make cedar oil spray by mixing 10-15 drops of cedar essential oil with one cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray around baseboards, in closets, and other problem areas. You can also use cedar blocks in closets, drawers, and storage areas, as they slowly release cedar scent over time and can be bought at most department stores.
Try cedar shavings in areas where messes aren’t a problem, like basements or garages. The shavings are very effective but can be messy, so they’re not ideal for living areas. Remember to replace cedar products regularly to keep them effective, as cedar blocks and shavings lose their potency over time. Sand them lightly or replace them every few months for best results.
You can also use an essential oil diffuser to spread cedar scent throughout a room, which works well in bedrooms and living areas where you want to repel silverfish without making a mess. Cedar products are completely safe for families and pets, making them perfect for homes with children, and the pleasant woody smell makes your home smell fresh while keeping silverfish away.
8. Deploy Essential Oil Repellents
Essential oils are powerful natural repellents that can help keep silverfish out of your home because many oils have strong scents that these bugs simply can’t stand. The key to success with essential oils is knowing which ones work best and how to use them properly, as different oils work in different ways.
Peppermint oil is one of the most effective choices. Mix 10-15 drops with a cup of water in a spray bottle, as the cooling scent is pleasant to humans but overwhelming to silverfish. Lavender oil creates a relaxing atmosphere while repelling bugs and can be used the same way as peppermint oil, or you can put a few drops on cotton balls and place them in problem areas.
Tea tree oil has natural insect-repelling properties and is especially good for bathrooms and other damp areas where silverfish like to hide. Citrus oils like lemon and orange work well too, and you can use the oils directly or save money by placing fresh citrus peels in areas where silverfish are active.
Cinnamon oil is another effective option, though you can also use cinnamon sticks instead of oil by placing them in drawers, closets, and other areas where you want to repel silverfish. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural insecticide, making this oil particularly effective at killing silverfish, not just repelling them. Apply oils regularly because their scent fades over time, so reapply your oil sprays every few days and replace oil-soaked cotton balls weekly for best results.
9. Create Essential Oil Sachets
Essential oil sachets are a great way to protect your belongings from silverfish damage because these small fabric bags provide long-lasting protection in closets, drawers, and storage areas. Sachets work by slowly releasing repellent scents over time, making them perfect for protecting clothes, books, and other items that silverfish like to eat.
Make sachets using small cloth bags or pieces of fabric tied with string, then fill them with dried herbs like lavender flowers, bay leaves, or cinnamon sticks. Add essential oils by putting 8-10 drops of your chosen oil onto the herbs inside each sachet. Good oil choices include lavender, peppermint, cedar, or lemon oil.
Place sachets strategically in bookshelves, dresser drawers, closets, and storage boxes. Put sachets anywhere you want to protect items from silverfish damage, and use multiple sachets for better coverage since one sachet might not be enough to protect a large closet or storage area.
Refresh the sachets regularly by adding a few more drops of essential oil every month or two, as the scent will fade over time and the sachets need to be recharged to stay effective. Replace the herbs every 6 months or when they lose their scent completely, since fresh herbs work better than old, stale ones. This method is perfect for protecting valuable items like wool sweaters, important documents, and rare books while making storage areas smell nice.
10. Eliminate Food Sources
Silverfish will leave your home if they can’t find anything to eat, but these bugs have a surprisingly varied diet that includes starchy foods, paper products, fabrics, and even dead skin cells and hair. Understanding what silverfish eat helps you know what to protect and how to get rid of silverfish effectively.
Store dry goods in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or hard plastic. This includes flour, cereal, pasta, and pet food, as silverfish can chew through cardboard and thin plastic bags. Clean up crumbs immediately after meals and snacks because even tiny crumbs can feed silverfish for days, making regular cleaning essential.
Vacuum regularly to remove food particles, dead skin cells, and hair that silverfish might eat. Pay special attention to areas under furniture and in corners where debris tends to collect. Remove cardboard boxes from storage areas when possible, since silverfish love to eat the glue that holds cardboard together, making plastic storage containers much better.
Clean pantry shelves monthly to remove any spilled food that might attract silverfish by wiping down shelves with a damp cloth and letting them dry completely. Secure pet food in sealed containers rather than leaving it in open bags, as pet food is like a feast for silverfish. Replace old books and papers that show signs of silverfish damage, because once these items are infested, they can attract more silverfish to your home. When silverfish can’t find food in your house, they’ll be forced to look elsewhere.
11. Declutter and Deep Clean
A cluttered home gives silverfish plenty of places to hide and breed, so cleaning up and organizing your space makes it much harder for these bugs to establish themselves. Silverfish love dark, undisturbed areas where they can hide during the day and lay eggs at night, so reducing clutter eliminates these hiding spots and makes your other treatments more effective.
Remove paper clutter like old magazines, newspapers, and documents you don’t need, and store important papers in sealed plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes. Organize closets by removing items you don’t use and storing the rest neatly, as piles of clothes on the floor are perfect hiding spots for silverfish.
Clean storage areas like basements, attics, and garages thoroughly by vacuuming or sweeping all surfaces and wiping down shelves and walls. Vacuum behind appliances where silverfish often hide by moving refrigerators, washing machines, and other large appliances to clean underneath and behind them.
Dust bookshelves regularly because silverfish eat both the books and the dust that collects on them. Wipe down shelves with a damp cloth every few weeks. Remove fabric piles like towels, blankets, and clothes that sit in one place for a long time, as silverfish can make nests in these cozy spots. Clean out drawers and cabinets completely by removing everything, vacuuming out any debris, and wiping down all surfaces before putting items back. A clean, organized home is much less appealing to silverfish and makes all your other treatments work better.
12. Use Salt as Natural Dehydrator
Salt is a simple, safe way to kill silverfish using something you already have in your kitchen. This method works by drawing moisture out of the bugs’ bodies, causing them to dehydrate and die. Salt has been used for preservation for thousands of years because it removes moisture from organic material, and the same principle works on silverfish and other soft-bodied insects.
Sprinkle salt directly on silverfish when you see them. Regular table salt works fine, but Epsom salt can be even more effective because of its larger crystals. Apply salt around problem areas like bathroom sinks, tub edges, and other places where silverfish are active, as the salt creates a barrier that silverfish don’t want to cross.
Use salt in moist areas where silverfish are likely to walk, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Reapply regularly because salt can absorb moisture from the air and become less effective over time, and fresh salt works better than old, clumpy salt.
Be patient because salt works more slowly than some other methods and may take several days or weeks to see significant results. Clean up carefully when vacuuming salt from treated areas, as too much salt left on surfaces can attract moisture and create other problems. This method is completely safe for homes with children and pets because salt won’t harm anyone in your family, but it can be deadly to silverfish when used consistently.
13. Apply Professional Insecticide Sprays
When natural methods aren’t enough, professional-grade insecticide sprays can eliminate even severe silverfish infestations. These products are stronger than home remedies and provide longer-lasting protection by creating a barrier around your home that kills silverfish when they come into contact with it. Many of these products continue working for months after application.
Choose the right product by looking for sprays specifically labeled for silverfish control. Products containing cypermethrin or bifenthrin are particularly effective. Spray around the perimeter of your home, both inside and outside, applying a 2-3 foot band along foundation walls to prevent silverfish from entering.
Treat indoor areas by spraying along baseboards, in corners, and around areas where silverfish are active. Focus on bathrooms, basements, and closets where these bugs are most likely to be found. Follow label directions carefully for mixing, application, and safety precautions, as these products are more powerful than natural treatments and require careful handling.
Wear protective gear including gloves and long sleeves when applying insecticides, and some products also recommend eye protection and face masks. Keep children and pets away from treated areas until the spray has dried completely, as most products are safe once dry but wet spray can be harmful. Reapply as directed on the product label, since most professional sprays last 2-3 months but you may need to retreat sooner in areas with heavy silverfish activity.
14. Deploy Insecticide Dusts and Foggers
For serious silverfish infestations, insecticide dusts and foggers provide powerful treatment options that can eliminate large populations quickly. Dusts work by sticking to silverfish as they crawl through treated areas, and the insects then groom themselves and ingest the poison. Foggers fill entire rooms with insecticide, reaching silverfish hiding in cracks and crevices.
Use insecticide dusts like CimeXa or D-Fense Dust in dry areas where silverfish travel, applying thin layers in attics, wall voids, and behind appliances. Apply dust carefully using a duster tool to get powder into cracks and crevices where silverfish hide, remembering that a light dusting is more effective than heavy applications.
Choose foggers for rooms with severe infestations, as these products release insecticide throughout an entire area, killing silverfish wherever they’re hiding. Prepare the area before fogging by removing food, dishes, and personal items, and cover furniture and electronics according to the product instructions.
Leave during treatment because foggers fill rooms with chemical vapors that can be harmful to breathe. Follow all label directions for how long to stay away, then ventilate afterward by opening windows and running fans to clear chemical residues from the air before returning to treated areas. Focus on problem areas like attics and basements where silverfish populations are often highest, as these areas can be treated more aggressively than living spaces. Dusts can remain effective for up to 6 months in dry conditions, making them excellent for long-term control.
15. Call Professional Pest Control
Sometimes learning how to get rid of silverfish means knowing when to call in the experts. Professional pest control technicians have access to stronger products and more experience dealing with difficult infestations. Professional treatment becomes necessary when DIY methods aren’t working or when the infestation is too large to handle on your own.
Consider professionals when you see silverfish daily, find extensive damage to belongings, or when multiple DIY treatments have failed to solve the problem. Get multiple quotes from different pest control companies to compare prices and treatment plans, as most companies provide free inspections and estimates.
Ask about treatment methods to understand what products and techniques the company will use. Some companies focus on natural methods, while others use stronger chemical treatments. Understand the timeline because professional treatment often involves multiple visits over several months, as complete elimination takes time even with professional help.
Discuss prevention strategies with your pest control technician, since the best professionals will help you understand how to prevent future infestations. Follow up as needed if silverfish return after treatment, as many companies guarantee their work and will return for additional treatments if necessary. Address moisture issues that the professionals identify, because even the best pest control won’t work long-term if you don’t fix the underlying problems that attract silverfish. Professional treatment typically costs $200-600 for most homes, which can be worth it for serious infestations that resist other treatments.
Prevention Tips for Long-Term Success
Keeping silverfish away permanently requires ongoing attention to the conditions that attract them, and prevention is always easier and cheaper than elimination. The most important factor in silverfish prevention is moisture control, as these bugs simply cannot survive in dry environments, making low humidity your best long-term strategy.
Monitor humidity levels using a simple hygrometer, which you can buy at most hardware stores, and keep humidity below 60% throughout your home. Maintain your home by fixing leaks promptly, cleaning gutters regularly, and ensuring good ventilation in all rooms.
Store items properly in plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes to protect your belongings and eliminate food sources for silverfish. Clean regularly by vacuuming weekly and wiping down surfaces to remove food particles and dead skin cells that silverfish eat.
Inspect your home monthly for signs of silverfish activity, as early detection makes treatment much easier and more effective. Seal entry points by caulking cracks around windows and doors to keep silverfish from entering your home in the first place. Remove outdoor attractants like piles of leaves, mulch, and wood near your home’s foundation, as these materials create perfect breeding grounds for silverfish.
When to Seek Professional Help
Knowing when to call professionals can save you time, money, and frustration, as some silverfish problems are simply too big or complex for DIY solutions. Severe infestations with multiple silverfish sightings daily require professional attention, and if you’re seeing silverfish in several rooms or finding extensive damage to books and clothing, it’s time to call experts.
Structural moisture problems like leaking roofs or foundation issues may be beyond your ability to fix, and professional pest control companies can work with other contractors to solve complex moisture problems. Failed DIY attempts suggest that the infestation is more serious than it first appeared, so if you’ve tried multiple methods without success, professionals have stronger tools and more experience.
Shared walls in apartments and condos can make silverfish control difficult because bugs can move between units, and professional treatment of entire buildings is sometimes necessary. Health concerns may make some people more cautious about using pesticides, but professional applicators know how to use these products safely around people with allergies or respiratory problems.
Final Thoughts
Learning how to get rid of silverfish successfully requires patience, persistence, and often a combination of different methods. Start with moisture control and natural treatments, then move to stronger options if needed. Remember that silverfish have been around for millions of years, so they’re tough survivors, and complete elimination might take several weeks or months, especially for large infestations.
The key to long-term success is understanding that silverfish control is really about moisture control. Keep your home dry, eliminate food sources, and use targeted treatments in problem areas. With consistent effort, you can win the battle against these unwanted pests and keep your home silverfish-free.
Most people find that combining 3-4 different methods works better than relying on just one approach. Be patient, stay consistent with your treatments, and don’t hesitate to call professionals if you need help. Your home can be silverfish-free with the right strategy and enough persistence.
