What to do if you see a silverfish?

Use borax

Borax is an effective way to kill silverfish. For best results, purchase borax at your local home goods store, and spread a thin layer anywhere you've noticed silverfish. It's particularly appropriate for use on the back side of cabinets, along baseboards, in closets, and beneath appliances.

What do I do if I find silverfish?

Should I kill a silverfish?

Silverfish reproduce more slowly than most pest insects, so killing them outright may be a practical way to keep an infestation under control.

What does it mean when you find silverfish?

Silverfish are a warning sign that your home has developed entry points, more specifically, entry points that may have been caused by water damage. When rain water gets into places it shouldn't, it can cause mold, mildew, fungi, algae, and other things to grow.

What causes silverfish in house?

Warm and moist spaces, like basements and crawl spaces, attract silverfish. The pests will enter homes through foundation cracks, torn screens, or gaps around doors. Leaving dirty dishes out in the open will also lure silverfish indoors.

The BEST Way to Get Rid of Silverfish FAST

Is one silverfish a problem?

If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. A single female can lay 100 eggs in her lifetime and it only take 3 months from egg to adult. It doesn't take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand.

Do silverfish mean your house is dirty?

You might be happy to learn that silverfish are not necessarily a sign of a dirty house. However, they can be a sign of underlying problems. Silverfish love warm and damp areas, and this is generally not what you want in your home.

What kills silverfish instantly?

Use borax. Borax is an effective way to kill silverfish. For best results, purchase borax at your local home goods store, and spread a thin layer anywhere you've noticed silverfish. It's particularly appropriate for use on the back side of cabinets, along baseboards, in closets, and beneath appliances.

Will silverfish bite humans?

Can Silverfish Bite? Although silverfish have a creepy appearance and are occasionally mistaken for venomous centipedes, silverfish are not known to bite humans and do not carry diseases.

Do most houses have silverfish?

Silverfish are common pests, but can be hard to spot because they prefer to live in dark, moist places where damp is common. This includes attics, basements, garages and kitchens where they can feed on dust, unsealed dried food and clutter, like paper.

Do silverfish go on beds?

Finding Silverfish in Beds

Although they prefer places like bathrooms and closets, it is possible to find silverfish bugs in beds. These insects are about half an inch in length with silver teardrop-shaped bodies and long antennae. While they're more annoying than harmful, these pests can damage bedding.

Can you crush a silverfish?

When you see silverfish in winter, avoid the urge to crush them. This can stain light-colored surfaces. Silverfish that have invaded your home for the winter, or any other time of the year, do not pose any physical threat to you. They do not bite humans and they are not known to spread disease.

Do silverfish crawl in your ears?

There are a few different ways that the bug can get into the ear. It could crawl in overnight while a person is asleep, or fly into their ear when they are spending time outside. If a bug does get into the ear, it may die right away. However, there is also a chance that it will stay alive and continue to move around.

Can you see silverfish eggs?

Silverfish Eggs and Larvae Facts

Silverfish eggs are commonly placed inside tiny cracks or crevices, making them difficult to locate. Silverfish eggs are elliptically shaped and measure approximately 1 mm in length. Initially soft and white, silverfish eggs toughen and yellow after a few hours.

What happens if you touch a silverfish?

Although silverfish have a creepy appearance and are occasionally mistaken for venomous centipedes, silverfish are not known to bite humans and do not carry diseases.

What harm do silverfish do?

What Problems Do Silverfish Cause? Silverfish feed on starchy materials and items that are high in protein. They are active at night and cause damage to books, stored food, and clothing. While these insects do cause problems, silverfish are not harmful to human health and do not carry any diseases.

What does silverfish poop look like?

Droppings - this is the sign of most pest infestations. With silverfish, their droppings are rather characteristic and can help determine if it is silverfish. Their faecal matter is black and spherical, looks like pellets, or pepper. You can find droppings near boxes or food or even books.

How do you keep silverfish out of your bed?

Natural Oils Can Help

Use cedar oil in a diffuser or pour a cedar oil and water mix in a spray bottle and spray in and around your bedroom. Silverfish hate the strong-smelling pheromones of this tree. You can also use lavender, citrus, and other essential oils that have an overwhelming aroma.

How do I know if I have silverfish infestation?

Keep an eye out for feeding marks, although they may be irregular whether they are holes, notches along an edge, or surface etchings. Yellow stains, scales and/or feces (tiny black pepper-like pellets) may also be seen on infested materials.

How common are silverfish?

Vacuum carpet, floors and upholstered furniture regularly

Silverfish hide and lay their eggs in cracks and crevices, so target these areas when you're cleaning. Empty the vacuum contents outside so the bugs can't escape inside your home. A silverfish infestation is fairly uncommon.

Do silverfish live in carpets?

Can silverfish live in my carpet? Silverfish enjoy carbohydrates, particularly starch and dextrin which can be found in books, clothing and dead skin. That said, silverfish aren't picky, they will move on to synthetic fibres found in carpets and rugs when their preferred delicacy runs low.

Do cardboard boxes attract silverfish?

Second, silverfish are especially drawn to paper and cardboard. So those storage boxes located in your garages or sheds are also good places to find these pests. They also eat cartons, starch, and dead insects.

Where are silverfish coming from?

Silverfish can come in from the outside around your foundation or they can be brought in from boxes or other stored products. They will hang out inside wall voids but are very commonly found in bathrooms and attics when they come out to forage for food and water.

Can you bring silverfish when you move?

If your old home is infested with silverfish, do what you can to eliminate the infestation before moving into your new home, or you may bring the silverfish with you. Scrutinize any books, papers and clothing that may have been a meal for silverfish. Eliminate any insects from your possessions before moving.

What's the lifespan of a silverfish?

The average female silverfish will lay up to 100 eggs during her life. Silverfish have a lifespan ranging from two to eight years.