Silverfish Infestation? Here’s How to Get Rid of Them Fast

If you have ever seen a small, silver, comet-shaped insect darting across the pages of an old book, crawling around in potting soil, or running for cover in a closet when the light suddenly comes on, you’ve probably seen a silverfish. These insects thrive in warm, humid environments and are very common pests in Florida and Georgia. Silverfish don’t spread diseases and they do not bite people or pets, but they can damage books, files, clothing, and food supplies. 

To get rid of silverfish quickly and effectively, you must approach the infestation from several angles. You’ll want to learn how to identify silverfish, how to eliminate them, and how professional pest extermination services in Sandy Springs actually work. 

Key Takeaways

• Silverfish thrive in Florida and Georgia’s warm, humid climate. 
• Getting rid of silverfish effectively requires a multi-step approach. Relying on spraying along will not work. 
• DIY methods can work well when used correctly, but professional services work faster and guarantee long-term protection.  

Why Silverfish Are a Problem in the Southeast

Florida and Georgia’s year-round warmth and high humidity levels create the perfect conditions for silverfish to breed and thrive. 

While they do well outdoors, temperatures that most homes and businesses are kept at are ideal for silverfish. A constant 72-81°F with humidity above 75% keeps these insects breeding all year long. The peak season for silverfish populations is during rainy months when humidity is at its highest levels. It is mostly for that reason that the most common places to find silverfish is in damp storage areas like basements, attics, laundry rooms, and under sinks. 

Another reason silverfish are a problem in Florida and Georgia is that they have plenty of time to eat through your belongings. There aren’t any significant die-off events for silverfish because the weather never really gets cold enough for it. So, they slowly (but surely) chew on items that you have put away for safekeeping. Important papers, old bedding, stored clothing, and similar items can all end up with holes and ragged edges. Pantry goods like cereal, pasta, flour, and pet food can also get contaminated by silverfish, leading to the loss of your food stores or revenue. 

These pests can affect homes anywhere in Florida and Georgia. However, older coastal homes and libraries are especially vulnerable, especially if there isn’t a good dehumidifier working.

How to Spot an Infestation

Silverfish are difficult to spot, and most people only see them by accident when moving furniture or looking through items that have been stored for a long time. However, before you can tackle your silverfish problem, it is important to be able to identify them as silverfish and have an understanding about where they are hiding and why they have chosen those places. 

• Live Sightings: Seeing one silverfish is usually enough to know that you have an infestation. It can be quite surprising to see these pests because they are so fast. Their teardrop-shaped, silvery-gray bodies seem to wriggle like a fish as they move, and they dart away from the light really quickly. Silverfish sizes usually range from about one half to one inch.  
• Signs of Damage: More likely than seeing silverfish is finding the damage they leave behind. If you see irregular holes or scraped surfaces on books, clothing, or wallpaper, you may be dealing with silverfish. Just keep in mind their size. Any signs of chewing will be small compared to other pests (like mice). 
• Other Clues: There are also a few other clues that you may find. Molted skins with the distinctive silverfish shape (sometimes these can be pieces of the whole skin and may appear as silvery, scale-like fragments) or feces that looks quite similar to black pepper. Droppings are most often found in areas like closets, drawers, or along baseboards. 

How to Get Rid of Silverfish Fast (Step-by-Step)

When you are sure that it is silverfish that you are dealing with, there are a few different strategies that you can combine to get the best results. It is important to think about what helps these insects thrive, what the most effective control methods are, and how to prevent them from coming back. 

Step One: Reduce Moisture

As mentioned, silverfish thrive in high humidity (especially levels above 70%), and reducing the humidity levels in your home or business is an important first step in the silverfish control process. Other than the weather itself, there are several things that add humidity to your space. Leaky pipes, structural gaps, and poor ventilation are the biggest culprits, but rooms with several fish tanks, pet habitats, and food storage can also create more humidity. 

To reduce excess humidity, fix any plumbing issues that you have and consider removing any constant moisture sources. Dehumidifiers can also be installed in areas like basements, attics, and crawl spaces. For larger areas and rooms that get more traffic, exhaust fans are also useful for removing humidity. A fan in the bathroom, for example, can help you expel steam from the shower, and installing one in the kitchen helps remove moisture produced when cooking and boiling water. 

Step Two: Eliminate Food & Clutter

In addition to reducing moisture, it is also good to eliminate food sources and clutter as much as possible. Silverfish feed on starches, natural fibers, and even glue! That makes storage areas prime targets for these elusive pests. It’s important to do a few things to make it harder for them to find food. 

One thing you can do is switch from cardboard boxes to airtight plastic bins for storage. Silverfish can easily chew through cardboard boxes, leaving your books, clothes, and seasonal fabrics vulnerable. It’s also important to remove any old stacks of newspapers, magazines, and paperwork that you no longer need since these items provide both food and shelter for silverfish. If you do not wish to get rid of certain paper-based items, consider storing them in airtight plastic bins. 

The same is true for any food storage that you have. Many foods comes in paper-based packaging (cereals, flours, etc.) and silverfish can contaminate your stored food quite quickly. 

Step Three: Target With Treatments

There are several types of treatments that can be used with silverfish, but they are not equally effective. 

Some common treatments used in DIY contexts are general insecticidal sprays, diatomaceous earth (DE), boric acid, and sticky traps. Some people also try things like cedar shavings, clove oil, and citrus sprays. While these methods can work when applied correctly, many people report limited efficacy. 

For example, insecticidal sprays, sticky traps, and diatomaceous earth only reach insects that are out and about. In most cases, you will not know where silverfish are nesting, so the chances of killing eggs and young silverfish is relatively low. Boric acid has similar limitations, and it comes with an additional risk factor. It can be dangerous for pets that come into contact with it, so it is not a great option for if you have a dog or cat. 

When it comes to most natural remedies, they are usually not seen as a comprehensive solution for a silverfish infestation, but rather an additional layer in the prevention stage. 

The most effective way to solve a silverfish infestation is to hire a professional pest control company like Nextgen Pest Solutions. An experienced silverfish removal expert will find the root of the problem, use professional-grade treatments that are designed to eliminate silverfish at every stage of their life cycle, and recommend steps you can take to reduce your risk of future infestations. 

A couple other benefits of going with a professional team is that complete silverfish elimination can be achieved much faster (within days, in most cases) and results are always guaranteed. 

DIY vs. Professional Silverfish Removal

The question of whether you should try to get rid of silverfish on your own or with the help of a professional service doesn’t have a straightforward answer. There are many things to consider, including cost, elimination timeline, infestation size, age of the property, and environmental factors that the structure is subject to. 

Here’s a quick reference table to help you decide. 

Long-Term Prevention

As a reminder, there are several things that you must do once the silverfish are gone to make sure they do not come back. 

Moisture control is one of the most important, as a dry area will be much less attractive to these insects (and several other types). Whether that means installing exhaust fans in high humidity rooms or putting in a dedicated dehumidifier, the results in Florida and Georgia are always positive. 

It is also good to revamp your storage system. Instead of using paper-based storage boxes, switch to plastic bins that are designed for storage. They often have airtight lids that keep all kinds of pests out of your treasured items. Regularly cleaning and vacuuming around the bins will also help reduce interest in your storage area.  

When everything is properly set up, there shouldn’t be any issues moving forward, but it is still a good idea to schedule quarterly checkups on your bins to make sure your belongings are still safe. If you don’t have the time for regular maintenance, it is something that your pest control company can do for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can silverfish cause allergic reactions?

Yes. Some people can show allergic reactions from silverfish if they come into contact with droppings and shed skins. For some, allergies show up as respiratory irritation.  

How fast do silverfish reproduce and how long do they live?

Silverfish can reproduce very quickly with females laying dozens of eggs at a time. Infestations can grow at a steady pace for a long time, because silverfish can live up to eight years in optimal conditions. 

Can silverfish hitchhike into your home?

Like many other pests, silverfish can hitchhike into your home. They can enter in cardboard boxes, books, and many other items brought from infested places. 

Are there natural deterrents that work?

Yes, many natural products can be used to deter silverfish. While they don’t do much to get rid of them, they can keep these insects out of specific places. Salt can be used to dry areas out, and scents like cedar, lavender, peppermint, and tea tree oil can repel silverfish. Just remember to reapply these often as their effectiveness does fade over time.