Silverfish show up in homes because of excess moisture and access to starchy food sources like paper, cardboard, and book glue. Removing both using a dehumidifier, fixing leaks, sealing cracks, and clearing paper clutter is the most effective way to get rid of them and keep them from coming back. Sticky traps and cedar or citrus scents can help in the meantime.
Silverfish Prevention and Removal aren’t dangerous; they don’t bite or sting — but they can quietly damage books, wallpaper, clothing, and cardboard while going mostly unnoticed, since they’re nocturnal and fast-moving. If you’ve spotted one, there’s a specific reason it’s there, and fixing that reason matters more than any single trap or spray.
Why Silverfish Are in Your Home
Silverfish need exactly two things to survive: moisture and food. If both are present somewhere in your home, they’ll find it.
- Moisture: Bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and under sinks are the most common spots, since silverfish need high humidity to survive
- Food: They eat starchy materials — book glue, wallpaper paste, cardboard, cereal, carpet fibers, and even paper — which is why they turn up in closets, attics, and storage boxes as often as bathrooms
Seeing one silverfish usually means there’s an established colony somewhere nearby, since they lay eggs in hidden, undisturbed spots and can live for several years.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish
1. Reduce Humidity
This is the single most effective step. Use a dehumidifier in damp areas, keep humidity below 60% where possible, and run bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers. Fix any leaking pipes or faucets — even a small, slow leak under a sink is enough to sustain a colony.
2. Remove Their Food Source
Clear out piles of old newspaper, cardboard boxes, and unused paper clutter, especially in basements, attics, and closets. Store dry food in airtight containers rather than the original cardboard packaging, since silverfish can chew through it.
3. Set Traps
Sticky traps placed along baseboards in damp rooms catch silverfish effectively. A simple DIY option: wrap the outside of a glass jar with textured tape and place a bit of starchy food inside — silverfish can climb in but can’t climb back out the smooth glass interior.
4. Use Natural Repellents
Cedar oil, citrus, and strong spices like cinnamon or cloves repel silverfish without chemicals. Sachets of dried cloves or cedar shavings placed in drawers, closets, or under sinks work as a passive deterrent alongside the steps above.
5. Seal Entry Points
Caulk gaps around windows, doors, and foundation cracks. Silverfish can also hitchhike indoors on firewood or secondhand cardboard boxes, so check items before bringing them inside from storage or outdoors.
Why Cleaning Alone Doesn’t Fully Solve It
Vacuuming and dusting help remove eggs and food debris, and it’s a genuinely useful part of prevention — but it won’t fix an underlying moisture problem. If you’re vacuuming regularly and still seeing silverfish, the humidity source is the piece that’s likely still unaddressed. Pairing a solid cleaning routine (see our deep cleaning checklist) with the moisture fixes above covers both sides of the problem.
When to Call a Professional
Small, occasional sightings usually respond well to the steps above. If you’re seeing multiple silverfish weekly, finding them in more than one room, or noticing early damage to books, clothing, or wallpaper, that level of infestation typically calls for a licensed pest control service rather than continued DIY treatment.
FAQs About Silverfish Prevention and Removal
Why do I suddenly have silverfish in my house?
Silverfish are usually a sign of excess moisture somewhere in the home, combined with access to paper, cardboard, or other starchy materials. A new leak, increased humidity, or newly stored boxes are common triggers.
Are silverfish dangerous to have in the house?
No, silverfish don’t bite or sting and aren’t a health risk. They can, however, damage books, wallpaper, clothing, and paper goods over time if left unaddressed.
What kills silverfish naturally?
Cedar oil, citrus, and strong spices like cinnamon or cloves act as natural repellents. Reducing humidity and removing food sources is still the most effective long-term solution, with natural repellents as a supporting measure.
How do I know if I have a silverfish infestation or just one bug?
One sighting can be a stray, but silverfish typically live in hidden colonies, so repeated sightings in the same area — especially at night — usually point to an established infestation nearby.