The tiny, wingless insects referred to as silverfish have been crawling around houses for hundreds of years. These pesky little critters are notorious for their quickness and dark, damp areas. Though they are not a vectors of disease, an infestation by these is quite unsettling.
But why do they have to be in your house in the first place? More importantly, how can one prevent them from making themselves at home? The following blog will examine 15 reasons your house could be infested with silverfish and 10 ways to effectively keep them out of your home for good.
Reasons You Have Silverfish in Your House
Being elusive, silverfish are tiny wingless insects, oftentimes not noticed until they become a problem. They thrive well in dark, wet, and humid settings—especially if your home provides the exact needs for them to multiply in huge numbers.
The many possible causes for these unwanted infiltrations of pests into living spaces include moisture issues and food sources such as paper, fabric, and starchy materials. The first step to keeping silverfish out of your house is understanding why they invade in the first place.
1. High Humidity Levels
Silverfish are moisture-loving insects, and they infest a house with high humidity. If your house is poorly ventilated or some areas trap moisture, you have created a paradise for such pests. When the humidity in your house reaches 75% or above, it will provide the perfect environment for silverfish survival and multiplication at an exponential rate.
The dampness helps them maintain the body moist, a condition necessary for survival. Moreover, high humidity can soften paper and fabric, among other materials, and make it possible for them to digest their favorite foods easily
Since silverfish are nocturnal, they hide all day and move without restraint at night. This love of darkness thus makes moist, dark areas in your home very good hiding places. Such environments offer them shelter and easy access to moisture, which is needed for survival.
If you have areas in the house that are rarely visited or dimly lit, they tend to be places where silverfish can easily breed. It is because the darkness and moisture offer them a secure spot to hide.
3. Old Books and Paper Products
The cellulose appetite for silverfish is so notorious that you could be maintaining a dinner invitation by harboring those old books, newspapers, or cardboard boxes. Silverfish chew up books, wallpapers, and other important documents, making holes in them that might be very expensive to repair.
So, if your home is cluttered with stacks of paper maybe in the garage or the attic, you are inviting silverfish into your home and asking them to move in and start dining on your stuff.
The mildew is one of the famous things that silverfish are attracted to, owing to its natural fibers including cotton, linen, silk, and even wool. Well, perhaps you might have stored some clothes or fabrics in damp and dark places where silverfish are having access to these belongings.
They'll damage your clothes by gnawing through the material, especially clothes that weren't worn much or were stored over large time frames. Worst of all, silverfish tend to aim at treasured or sentimental things: wedding dresses or heirloom linens.
5. Crumbs and Food Residue
Though they feed on starch-based materials, silverfish are not particular when it comes to food. It could be crumbs or food residue lying about that can attract them into your home as well.
Be that the tiny crumbs on the kitchen counter or food particles falling behind appliances, silverfish can detect and feed on these sources of food. Due to food availability, silverfish will investigate other parts of the house for more food.
6. Leaky Pipes and Faucets
Leakages in your plumbing can create a moist environment to which silverfish will be attracted. Whether it's caused by a slow-dripping faucet, a leaky pipe, or condensation accumulation, the water will be an attractant for silverfish.
This wetness not only attracts them but creates an environment that is suitable for them to flourish and breed. Leakage in pipes in the bathroom or kitchen is a common cause of silverfish infestation. Check for leaks in your building and repair leaks if you notice any; damp areas are potential breeding places to attract silverfish.
Cluttered places give silverfish a lot of hiding space and cover. Piles of clothes, stacks of papers, or just plain unopened boxes—be it in the basement, the garage, or the storage area—offer the perfect homes for these creatures.
The more cluttered a home is, the more undercover silverfish have to hide, feed, and multiply without one's notice. Clutter not only makes it hard for one to detect an infestation—but it also gives silverfish places to hide, live, and breed. Decluttering and organizing the home can help decrease the risk of silverfish.
8. Dirty Dishes
Leaving dirty dishes in your sink overnight acts as a silverfish attractant. Food remnants clinging to plates, in particular starchy or sugary foods, really draw these pesky pests in. The dirty plates leave them, in a damp environment that gives silverfish the moisture needed to survive.
If you think you are fulfilling something by leaving them until the morning, all you are doing is giving the silverfish a chance to eat and breed.
Pet food can provide a food source for silverfish, especially if left out at night. The food particles and moisture around your pet's food bowls could also be an attraction to the silverfish. Silverfish are especially interested in foods with starches and sweet ingredients.
If you leave pet food out, it may be a target for silverfish in your house. For example, feed your pets during mealtimes and clean up any food that remains thereafter. Keep pet food in airtight containers to prevent silverfish from accessing it.
10. Old Wallpaper
Silverfish are indeed peculiar little pests; they feed on the glue that stares the wallpaper on your wall. Therefore, in the instance you have old and peeling wallpaper in your room, the silverfish attack the adhesive, and therefore, destruction is bestowed on your walls.
This not only will ruin the face value of your home but further encourage greater infestation, as the pests will easily reproduce very well in these environments. Silverfish are more attracted to wallpaper that has at some point been exposed to moisture, so rooms high in humidity are at risk.
Having wood piles or debris anywhere around the house is an open invitation to the silverfish. As they get attracted by organic material, the wood will offer them not only shelter but also a source of food supply.
Piles of firewood, old wooden furniture, or other debris may serve as a haven for the silverfish, especially if the wood is damp. Once silverfish infest areas around your house, they can have easy access through cracks and crevices.
12. Cracks and Crevices
Since they are small insects, silverfish can enter your home even through the tiniest crevices or cracks in the foundation, walls, or floors. These small gaps will allow them easy entry to warm, moist environments existing inside your house.
When inside your house, they can find shelter and food sources that will make them multiply.
A variety of foods in your pantry are opportunistic feeding sources for silverfish. They are especially prone to invasion by silverfish in unsealed food containers, which include dry goods like cereals, grains, and pasta.
If there are small holes in your food packaging or you notice evidence of silverfish in your pantry, they have likely been getting their snack on with your stored foods. Keep this from happening by storing dry goods in airtight containers and making it a point to survey your pantry for any signs of pest activity from time to time.
14. Improperly Stored Toiletries
Silverfish are attracted to starchy substances, and, well, some toiletries do tend to appeal to them, like shampoo, toothpaste, and a few cosmetics. These toiletries, when stored badly or left lying in the dampness of a bathroom area, provide food for silverfish.
The moisture within these products combines with the starch present within them to provide an ideal environment for such pests. Keep shower and bath products in tightly sealed containers and make sure to store them in a dry place.
15. Warm Temperatures
The ideal temperature for silverfish is between 70-85°F. In case you like to keep your home warm, notably where there is high humidity, then you are most likely inviting the silverfish into your house. These temperatures keep them active throughout the year, and they continue to reproduce.
Warm temperatures coupled with moisture give ideal conditions for silverfish infestation.
Ways To Prevent Silverfish
1. Lower the Humidity in your Living Area
Since silverfish thrive in a moist atmosphere, a reduction in humidity levels in your house would be the ideal prevention measure against them. You can start using dehumidifiers in the moist areas of the house, mainly in the basement, bathroom, and laundry area.
It sucks wetness from the air, leaving behind an atmosphere in which they can't survive. Proper ventilation can also be sustained by placing exhaust fans in places such as the bathroom and the kitchen. These places hold steam and moisture, respectively, in such a way that humid air can be driven out without causing accumulation.
Sure, moisture is a magnet for silverfish, and even very small leaks in your plumbing system can create the perfect environment for them to thrive. Be it a leaking faucet, pipe, or a slow drain, take care of the problem when it starts. Be observant of a leak in the sink under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances for washing machines and dishwashers.
Stopping water leaks immediately not only will mean that there is no water for silverfish to feast on but also will make sure there is no structural damage to your house because of long-term water exposure. Watch for hidden leaks to ensure that places like basements and crawl spaces are not infested with silverfish.
3. Seal Cracks and Crevices
Silverfish are small and can maneuver abilities to slither through tiny cracks and holes in your house. Above and beyond that, scour your home totally to stymie their entry into your living space: cracks in the walls, gaps around windows and doors, and holes in your foundation.
Close these openings off with caulk or weather stripping to create a barrier that keeps silverfish outside. This is not just good at preventing silverfish; sealing cracks and crevices also helps keep other pests, like ants and spiders, away. What is more—by sealing up these crevices, you can tighten the insulation in your home.
4. Declutter Your Home
Clutter provides silverfish with great places to hide, with virtually no obstacles between their hideouts and food sources of paper and fabric. Routine cleaning and decluttering of your home are some of the most beneficial prevention measures for a silverfish infestation.
Clearing out cluttered storage and clothing areas will take away potential hiding places for silverfish and many other pests. Be sure to focus on places where things get stacked up: basements, attics, and closets.
5. Proper Food Storage
Silverfish are attracted not only to paper but glue but to food as well; that is, cereals, grains, and other food kept in the pantry. For this reason, keep all your pantry stuff in air-tight containers so that neither silverfish nor any other pests, for that matter, can get access to your food.
This solves the problem twofold; safeguarding from the silverfish and preserving it fresh for an extended period. The best containers are those made of glass or plastic with tight-fitting lids. Besides, regularly inspect your pantry for small holes in packets or excrement.
A tidy house is one of the most excellent control measures against silverfish. Regular vacuuming and dusting will help eliminate food sources, pet hair, and other debris that may become food for these insects. Areas rarely visited include behind furniture appliances and corners.
Silverfish are also believed to breed in baseboards and behind wallpapers, along with cracks and crevices. Be particularly thorough in cleaning such areas. Also, don't leave unwashed dishes overnight in the sink, and dispose of garbage from your home frequently. Pest prevention aside, a clean home is healthier.
7. Replace Old Wallpaper
If you have old or peeling wallpaper in your home, you may be unknowingly attracting silverfish. They usually feed on wallpaper paste, especially in places where it has begun to deteriorate. Since they like this organic material, it is best to replace old wallpaper with fresh glue, or better yet, with painted walls.
If you do choose to replace your wallpaper, use less appealing adhesives for silverfish. Doing this will not only limit their food options but will also give your house a new look, hence preventing further destruction from the pests.
8. Clothing Storage
Silverfish are attracted to cotton, linen, and silk, which are natural fibers. Store garments in airtight containers or garment bags, especially if kept in damp or dark places like basements, attics, or closet spaces. Do not store clothing in cardboard boxes because most are easily chewed through by silverfish.
Use plastic containers or bags that may be vacuum-sealed. Periodically check clothing while it is in storage for any signs of activity from pests. Thoroughly clean or dry clean items before storage if they are going to be put away for long periods. This way, your clothes will be free from being fed on by the fish.
Some scents are just so bad for the silverfish, and in such cases, you can use natural repellents. Essential oils like lavender, cedar, and citrus tend to repel the silverfish. You can put satchels packed with dry lavender or blocks of cedar in the closet, drawers, and the like in places silverfish could hide.
Alternatively, you can prepare a spray trap with a few drops of essential oil diluted with water and spray in areas where you often find silverfish. These natural repellents will keep silverfish away from your place and make your home smell good with no use of harsh chemicals.
10. Regular Home Maintenance
Several tasks should be done around the home to prevent silverfish and other pests. Inspect your home regularly for any signs of moisture: these may include water stains or patches, mold, or mildew, and work towards eliminating the cause.
Keep your gutters cleaned out, and see that they follow the graded lawn away from the home's foundation well enough so that seepage doesn't occur. Allow no debris to accumulate in the yard.
What Smell do Silverfish Hate?
There are some strong odors that silverfish detest, and these odors might be applied as a means of repelling them. Some of the odors silverfish abhor entail:
Lavender: Silverfish loathes the pungent aroma of lavender flowers. You can apply essential oil obtained from lavender, dried sachets filled with lavender, or simply lavender-scented products.
Cedar: The wood of the cedar contains an insecticide that is known to kill silverfish. Pieces of it, blocks, chips, or oil can be left in cupboards or any storage areas.
Citrus: Silverfish abhor pungent acidic smells, such as that of a citrus smell. Peels or essential oils from either lemon or orange serve as a repelling agent.
Peppermint: The sharp, minty smell of peppermint is another fragrance that silverfish abhor. This could be placed around the home in peppermint oil or sachets to ward them off.
Clove: Cloves have the strong scent of a pungent, spicy odor that is very uncomfortable for silverfish. Cloves, in whole form or clove oil, will naturally repel silverfish.
Diatomaceous earth is a fine, natural powder derived from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms called diatoms. The process kills silverfish by the absorption of oils and fats from the exoskeleton, leading to eventual death due to dehydration.
It is non-toxic and, hence safe to use with humans and pets; therefore, it's appropriate for use in homes. Simply sprinkle diatomaceous earth into areas where action from silverfish is most prevalent, such as under sinks, along baseboards, and in closets.
If you're dealing with a silverfish infestation in your home and are struggling to manage it on your own, it might be time to call in professionals. Silverfish bugs in the house can be persistent and challenging to eliminate, especially if you're unsure where they come from or why you have silverfish in your house.
Professionals can help you understand where silverfish come from, why do I have silverfish in my house, and provide targeted treatments.
How will Professionals Help?
They will know exactly what silverfish insects look like, what silverfish do, and how to effectively manage house insects like silverfish, including those that appear in the bathroom. If you're wondering what is silverfish insect and what do silverfish look like, a professional can offer solutions to remove silverfish and prevent future infestations.
