Silverfish are small wingless insects commonly found in damp areas of UK homes such as bathrooms, kitchens and lofts. The most effective way to get rid of silverfish is to reduce humidity, remove food sources like paper and cardboard, seal cracks where they hide, and apply targeted insecticide treatments in skirting boards, cupboards and wall voids. For persistent infestations, professional pest control treatment is usually required.
Silverfish Quick Facts
- ✅ Active at night
- ✅ Prefer humid areas
- ✅ Do not bite
- ✅ Can damage books and wallpaper
- ✅ Live up to 8 years
- ✅ Usually indicate excess moisture
Silverfish vs Firebrats vs Booklice
Not sure which insect you’ve found? Although silverfish are commonly mistaken for firebrats and booklice, there are several important differences in their appearance, behaviour and preferred habitat. Use the comparison table below to identify your insect.
| Feature | Silverfish | Firebrat | Booklouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 10–15 mm | 10–12 mm | 1–2 mm |
| Colour | Silvery grey | Grey with brown mottling | Cream to pale brown |
| Body shape | Long, flattened with three tail filaments | Very similar to silverfish | Small, soft-bodied with a large head |
| Where found | Bathrooms, kitchens, lofts, cupboards | Boiler rooms, airing cupboards, near hot pipes | Damp walls, mouldy areas, books |
| Preferred conditions | Humid and dark | Hot and humid | Very damp with mould |
| Damage | Paper, wallpaper, books, fabrics | Paper, fabrics and stored items | Little direct damage, mainly indicates damp |
| Can they bite? | ❌ No | ❌ No | ❌ No |
How to Get Rid of Silverfish (Step-by-Step)
Removing silverfish usually requires a combination of moisture control, cleaning, sealing entry points and targeted treatment.
1. Reduce Moisture and Humidity
Silverfish thrive in damp environments. Lowering humidity makes your home less suitable for them.
Steps to take:
- Keep indoor humidity below 50% where possible
- Fix leaking pipes or taps
- Improve ventilation in bathrooms and kitchens
- Use dehumidifiers in damp areas such as basements or utility rooms
Even small reductions in moisture can significantly reduce silverfish activity.
2. Remove Their Food Sources
Silverfish feed on materials containing starch and cellulose.
Common food sources include:
- paper and books
- wallpaper paste
- cardboard boxes
- clothing and fabrics
- stored food such as flour or cereals
Reduce attractants by:
- storing paperwork and books in sealed containers
- keeping dry food in airtight containers
- removing cardboard storage boxes from damp areas
- regularly cleaning cupboards and storage areas
3. Seal Cracks and Hiding Places
Silverfish hide in narrow gaps during the day.
Check and seal:
- skirting board gaps
- cracks in plaster or walls
- pipe entry holes
- gaps behind kitchen units
- spaces under flooring or laminate
Sealing hiding places helps prevent silverfish from breeding inside the property.
4. Use Traps and Natural Treatments
For small infestations, simple control methods may help reduce numbers.
Sticky traps
Place traps behind appliances, cupboards and storage areas where activity has been seen.
Diatomaceous earth
A fine powder that damages the insect’s exoskeleton and causes dehydration.
Essential oil sprays
Lavender, cedarwood or citrus oils may act as mild repellents when sprayed along skirting boards or inside cupboards.
These solutions may help in the early stages of an infestation but are often insufficient for larger problems.
5. Apply Insecticide Treatments
For larger or persistent infestations, insecticide treatments may be required. Many over-the-counter products contain active ingredients such as permethrin or cypermethrin, which are commonly used to control crawling insects.
These products are typically applied to cracks, crevices and hidden harbourage areas where silverfish are likely to hide, such as around skirting boards, cupboards and pipe entry points.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and avoid over-applying chemicals, particularly in areas accessible to children or pets.
For widespread infestations or activity inside wall voids and flooring gaps, professional pest control treatment is usually the safest and most effective solution.
Where Silverfish Hide and Why They Appear
Silverfish prefer dark, damp areas with limited airflow.
Common hiding spots include:
- behind wallpaper
- under sinks
- inside cupboards
- bookcases and storage boxes
- behind skirting boards
- loft insulation
In many homes, their presence indicates excess moisture or ventilation problems.
Properties in London and Essex often experience silverfish activity in bathrooms, kitchens and older buildings where condensation builds up.
Why Silverfish Can Be a Problem
Property Damage
Silverfish feed on materials containing starch, cellulose and protein. Over time they can damage:
- books and paper documents
- wallpaper and wallpaper glue
- cardboard packaging
- clothing and fabrics
Damage usually appears as irregular holes or small scraped patches on affected items.
Allergens
Silverfish scales, droppings and shed skins can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Symptoms may include sneezing, itchy eyes or mild respiratory irritation.
Indicator of Damp Conditions
Because silverfish thrive in humidity, their presence often signals underlying moisture issues such as:
- condensation
- leaking plumbing
- poor ventilation
- damp storage areas
Addressing moisture problems is essential for long-term control.
Silverfish Lifecycle
Silverfish reproduce slowly but can live for several years.
Females lay eggs in hidden areas such as cracks, crevices, behind wallpaper or inside cupboards. After hatching, young silverfish develop through several moults before reaching adulthood.
Unlike most insects, silverfish continue moulting throughout their lives and can live for up to eight years under favourable conditions.
Because eggs and young insects hide deep within wall gaps and flooring, infestations can return if treatments do not reach these concealed areas.
Preventing Silverfish in Your Home
Preventing infestations is usually easier than eliminating them.
Effective prevention includes:
Controlling humidity
- keep rooms well ventilated
- use extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
- repair plumbing leaks promptly
Improving storage
- avoid cardboard boxes in damp areas
- store clothing and papers in sealed containers
Regular cleaning
- vacuum behind furniture and appliances
- remove clutter from cupboards and storage areas
Sealing entry points
- seal cracks around skirting boards
- close pipe gaps
- repair damaged plaster or flooring
These measures make your home far less attractive to silverfish.
When to Call Pest Control
If silverfish continue appearing despite cleaning and moisture control, the infestation may be established within wall voids or under flooring.
Professional pest control treatment usually includes:
- a full property inspection
- targeted residual insecticide treatments
- identification of moisture sources or entry points
- follow-up advice to prevent reinfestation
Worried About Silverfish in Your Home?
Our BPCA Accredited technicians provide fast, discreet silverfish pest control across London and Essex. All treatments include a 30-day guarantee, with same-day appointments available where possible.
Why Choose Bugwise for Silverfish Control?
Bugwise Pest Control provides targeted silverfish treatment across London and Essex, treating concealed harbourages and addressing the conditions that allow infestations to persist.
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BPCA accredited and NPTA servicing member technicians
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Targeted treatment of skirting boards, cupboards, cracks and concealed harbourages
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Practical advice on humidity, ventilation and moisture problems
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Treatment for homes, landlords and commercial properties
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30-day treatment guarantee for added peace of mind
Frequently Asked Questions About Silverfish
Silverfish are not known to spread disease and they do not bite or sting humans or pets. However, an established infestation can damage books, wallpaper, photographs, cardboard, clothing and other materials containing starch or adhesive.
Silverfish do not normally live inside drains or travel through water-filled pipework. They are attracted to the moisture and humidity around bathrooms, sinks and plumbing. Silverfish found in a bath or sink have often fallen in and cannot climb back out of the smooth surface.
Regular silverfish sightings can indicate excessive humidity, condensation, poor ventilation or a concealed water leak. However, grey silverfish can also survive in relatively dry rooms, so their presence does not always prove that the property has a serious damp problem.
Bathrooms provide the dark, humid conditions silverfish prefer. Condensation, leaking pipework, poor ventilation and gaps around skirting boards or plumbing can create suitable hiding places. They are most likely to appear at night when they leave these harbourages to search for food.
One sighting does not automatically confirm a serious infestation, but silverfish are nocturnal and spend much of their time hidden inside cracks, flooring and wall voids. Repeated sightings, shed skins, droppings or damage to paper and fabrics suggest that more may be present.
Silverfish may continue returning when humidity remains high, food sources are available or concealed harbourages have not been treated. Killing the insects you can see will not necessarily reach eggs or silverfish hidden beneath flooring, behind skirting boards or inside wall voids.
Professional Silverfish Control Across London & Essex
If you’re struggling to get rid of silverfish, Bugwise Pest Control provides professional silverfish treatment for homes and businesses throughout London and Essex. Our BPCA Accredited technicians use targeted residual insecticide treatments to eliminate active infestations, identify the underlying cause of the problem and provide practical advice to help prevent silverfish from returning. We regularly assist customers in the following areas:
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