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How can I get Rid of Silverfish?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

If you hate creepy crawlies, you're bound to want to get rid of silverfish that find their way into your home. These pests, often called fishmoths, look like tiny fish and move in a similar manner to that of real water dwellers. They are typically grayish or greenish looking, and they like to hang out indoors where the temperature is close to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.66 degrees Celsius). Unfortunately, they tend to be rather quick and hard to catch and smash. However, getting rid of them is a good idea, as they destroy books and textiles.

Silverfish like moisture, so getting rid of them often starts in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. You'll also find them in leaf and mulch piles as well as under sinks and hanging around leaks. Bookshelves, laundry rooms, and water heaters also attract them. You may even find them within the pages of your favorite book. Unfortunately, you may see them on your walls and floors as well.

A serious infestation of silverfish may require the help of a professional exterminator.
A serious infestation of silverfish may require the help of a professional exterminator.

To get rid of silverfish, try sticky glue traps like those used for trapping roaches. You can also make your own trap using an ordinary jar that you've scrubbed squeaky clean. Smoothly cover the outside of the jar with masking tape to make it easy for the silverfish to get inside. They will climb up the outside of the jar and fall inside, but they won't be able to get back out again; the inside of the jar will be so smooth that they cannot escape. Some people like to use such things as moist cotton balls to help bait the silverfish.

Some people may use moist cotton balls to bait silverfish.
Some people may use moist cotton balls to bait silverfish.

You can also use pest poisons to kill silverfish. You can place boric acid or another insect-killing powder along wall bases and inside crawl spaces; add it to any cracks and crevices you find as well. You can also put some behind your furniture as well as behind and underneath appliances, such as ovens, dishwashers, and washers and dryers. Sprays work too, such as those you would use to kill roaches, ants, and other pests; silverfish are often listed among the vulnerable-pest listings on the back of insecticide containers. Keep in mind, however, that you will need to take care to keep your children away from any place you've placed boric acid as well as any area that is still wet from sprays or that has lingering fumes.

While you work to get rid of silverfish, you might also want to protect your favorite books. To do so, place them inside plastic bags that seal at the top, such as freezer bags. Place the bags in the freezer for about three days. The icy temperatures should kill any silverfish hiding out in your books.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a HomeQuestionsAnswered writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a HomeQuestionsAnswered writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

elfi64

Equal parts of sugar and baking soda mixed together and placed in a small container, something like a lid of a jar, and placed around the house will help get rid of the pest.

Of course you should make sure that children or pets have no access to the mixture.

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    • A serious infestation of silverfish may require the help of a professional exterminator.
      By: mertcan
      A serious infestation of silverfish may require the help of a professional exterminator.
    • Some people may use moist cotton balls to bait silverfish.
      By: nick holdsworth
      Some people may use moist cotton balls to bait silverfish.