Key Takeaways
- Silverfish do not go away on their own and require active removal.
- They survive for years in hidden, humid areas of your home.
- Silverfish damage books, wallpaper, clothing, and stored food.
- Moisture control, traps, and insecticides help eliminate infestations.
- Sealing cracks and decluttering prevent silverfish from returning.

What You’ll Learn
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Why silverfish infest homes and why they won’t go away on their own.
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The destruction they cause and whether they are harmful to humans.
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Step-by-step ways to eliminate them permanently.
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How to prevent silverfish from returning.
Why Silverfish Stay in Your Home
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They Can Live for Years: Silverfish have a long lifespan—up to 8 years in some cases.
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They Survive Months Without Food: Even if food sources are scarce, silverfish can persist in your home.
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They Lay Eggs in Hard-to-Reach Places: Silverfish hide their eggs in cracks and crevices, making infestations hard to detect.

What Attracts Silverfish?
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Moisture & Humidity: Silverfish need high humidity (above 50%) to survive, which is why they are commonly found in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, attics, and kitchens.
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Food Sources: Silverfish feed on starches, including flour, paper, wallpaper glue, fabric, and even mould or dead insects.
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Dark, Undisturbed Hiding Spots: They hide in cardboard boxes, bookshelves, closets, and cracks along baseboards.
Risks of a Silverfish Infestation
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Damage to books, wallpaper, and fabrics.
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Ruined clothing, upholstery, and stored garments.
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Contaminated pantry goods (flour, cereal, grains).
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Increased allergens from silverfish scales and droppings.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish (Step-by-Step Guide)
🔹 Step 1: Reduce Moisture & Humidity
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Fix leaky pipes, faucets, and condensation issues.
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Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and attics.
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Improve airflow with exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens.
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Use moisture-absorbing products like silica gel packs in closets.
🔹 Step 2: Remove Food Sources & Declutter
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Store cereals, flour, and pet food in sealed plastic or glass containers.
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Dispose of old newspapers, cardboard boxes, and excess paper clutter.
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Regularly vacuum baseboards, closets, and bookshelves.
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Wash and rotate stored clothes to prevent fabric damage.
🔹 Step 3: Use Traps & Natural Remedies
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Jar Trap: Wrap a glass jar with tape on the outside. Place a piece of bread or starchy bait inside. Silverfish will climb in but won’t be able to escape.
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Sticky Traps: Place silverfish glue traps along baseboards and under sinks to catch both adults and newly hatched silverfish.
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Essential Oils & Natural Repellents: Silverfish hate the smell of cedar, bay leaves, and citrus oils. Place bay leaves in bookshelves, closets, and storage areas to repel them.
🔹 Step 4: Apply Insecticides for Severe Infestations
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Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – A natural powder that dehydrates silverfish.
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Boric Acid – A highly effective insecticide that poisons silverfish when ingested.
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Professional-Grade Silverfish Sprays – Targeted sprays kill silverfish on contact.
How to Prevent Silverfish from Coming Back
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Keep humidity low with dehumidifiers and ventilation.
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Store books, clothes, and food in airtight containers.
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Vacuum and declutter regularly to eliminate hiding spots.
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Use caulk to seal cracks and crevices where silverfish lay eggs.
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Inspect secondhand furniture and storage boxes before bringing them inside.
