Silverfish
Easy DIY
Identification
Wingless, silvery, carrot-shaped insects with a fast, fish-like wiggle, found in damp, dark areas like basements and bathrooms, feeding on paper, glue, and starches.
Can I DIY this?
Easy DIYYou can handle this one yourself.
With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.
Recommended products
Nisus Niban Granular Bait, 10 lbsGranular bait in attic & voidsSyngenta Demand CS Insecticide, 8ozBaseboard & perimeter sprayRockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust, 2 x 4 ozDust cracks & crevicesSome links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.
- Look for the source of moisture — silverfish need humidity to survive, so basements, bathrooms, and poorly ventilated areas are where you'll find them.
- Run a dehumidifier or improve ventilation in the affected area; this alone makes the space far less hospitable.
- Remove clutter (stacked paper, cardboard boxes) where they hide and feed — silverfish eat paper, glue, and starches.
- Apply a residual insecticide as a perimeter treatment and into cracks and crevices where they travel.
- Use sticky traps to monitor whether the population is dropping.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.