Why do I have a lot of silverfish in my house?

They need moisture to survive and will establish themselves anywhere moisture levels in your home are high. Food sources. Like all insects, silverfish need to eat. These bugs rely on starchy food sources like fibers, sugars, fabrics, grains, and dried goods – like cereals and pet food.

How do you get rid of silverfish in the house?

Do silverfish mean my 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.

Does seeing one silverfish mean an infestation?

A homeowner who sees a silverfish in one or two places in the home does not necessarily have an infestation. However, a homeowner who sees silverfish regularly likely has a problem.

Can you completely get rid of silverfish?

Once you've tackled the moisture and sustenance problems, the silverfish population should rapidly dwindle. However, these insects can be quite hardy. Denying them food sources and dark, moist hiding places is sufficient to prevent a severe infestation, but it won't wipe them out completely.

The BEST Way to Get Rid of Silverfish FAST

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.

Where do silverfish lay eggs?

Female silverfish lay eggs constantly after reaching the adult stage. They lay eggs in crevices and cracks around your home, which hatch within 3 weeks. Young insects reach the adult stage within 4 to 6 weeks. Young silverfish look like adult silverfish, only smaller and white.

How do you spot a silverfish nest?

Do silverfish go in 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.

What naturally kills silverfish?

What to do if you see a silverfish?

Sprinkling some food grade diatomaceous earth around baseboards or other areas where you've spotted the silverfish. Put it in all areas where they like to hide, including cracks and small holes. It's safe for your other pets, Try sticky traps (like these).

Can silverfish harm you?

While silverfish are harmless to the human body, they do cause damage to clothing, books, papers, food in pantries and wallpaper. Silverfish leave small holes in materials they bite and may also cause yellow staining. Look for their presence in dark and damp locations such as bathrooms, under sinks and in garages.

Are silverfish a problem?

Silverfish are known for their destructive feeding habits being nuisance pest. They can cause a serious problem in large numbers – damaging old books, photographs, wallpaper, plaster and other household items containing starch or cellulose.

What does it mean when you find a 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.

Why do I have silverfish in my bedroom?

Silverfish love damp places, so your bed would offer the perfect ecosystem for them. Combined with your body's heat and the temperature of your room plus the dark spaces in between bedsprings and cushions, silverfish can populate in no time using your bed as a breeding ground.

Can silverfish climb walls?

They're Poor Climbers

Some types of insects can expertly climb smooth vertical surfaces, like walls. Silverfish do not have this ability. If they fall into a sink, bathtub, or similar place, they can't get out. Since these pests can be found trapped in sinks or tubs, some people think silverfish climb out of drains.

Do silverfish crawl on you?

If you find these pests crawling on you at night, it may be that they're looking for a bite to eat. Silverfish are really an alarm.

Where are the silverfish coming from?

Where Do Silverfish Come From in Homes? Silverfish sometimes make their way indoors in search of food. However, people may also bring silverfish inside by mistake. The pests can be taken indoors with infested dry food products, boxes of books or paper, fabrics and other items that have a high starch and sugar content.

What smells do silverfish not like?

Strongly scented herbs and spices have been known to repel silverfish, so try leaving out generous helpings of cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, or whole cloves, or strategically placing sachets filled with dried rosemary.

What temp kills silverfish?

However, they can survive at temperatures ranging from freezing to well above 100°F. You can find them around ovens, heating units, fireplaces, hot water pipes, attics during the summer, and the furnace during winter.

What is the lifespan of silverfish?

The normal lifespan of a silverfish is between two and eight years. Silverfish reproduce at all times of the year, with the female laying about 100 eggs over the course of her lifetime.

Does vinegar get rid of silverfish?

The internet seems to think vinegar fixes just about every household problem, and that cinnamon, cloves and bay leaves will all repel silverfish. Unfortunately, none of these home remedies will get rid of silverfish.

Do spiders eat silverfish?

Centipedes, spiders, and earwigs all prey on silverfish, and all can be a potential problem for the families that live in the home.

Does raid get rid of silverfish?

Use Raid® Home Insect Killer to attack, killing silverfish on contact. Be sure to read the full label before using this product.

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.