How To Get Rid Of Silverfish

Getting rid of silverfish on your own is possible, but it requires persistence, attention to detail, and a combination of sanitation, environmental changes, and targeted treatments. Here’s a step-by-step approach for home or business owners to get rid of silverfish:

Identify and eliminate moisture sources. Silverfish thrive in damp, humid environments, so reducing moisture is the single most impactful step. Homeowners should repair leaks, improve ventilation in bathrooms and basements, use dehumidifiers where humidity stays above 50%, and increase airflow around storage areas. Lower moisture forces silverfish out of hiding and prevents them from reproducing effectively.
Declutter and remove potential food sources. These insects feed on starches, adhesives, paper products, cardboard, and even some fabrics. Storing items in airtight plastic bins, removing stacks of newspapers or magazines, and rotating stored items to disturb hiding spots greatly limits both shelter and food. Vacuuming regularly helps remove microscopic debris silverfish rely on as a baseline food supply.
Seal entry points and hiding places. Caulking cracks around baseboards, trim, plumbing entry points, and gaps behind cabinets denies them the tight crevices they prefer. Attention to gaps near sinks, utility lines, and wall voids is especially effective. Physical exclusion not only reduces current activity but also prevents new individuals from migrating inward.
Apply targeted desiccant dusts. Homeowners often achieve strong results using boric acid, diatomaceous earth, or silica aerogel applied lightly into wall voids, under appliances, behind baseboards, and along plumbing lines. These products dehydrate silverfish when they crawl through treated areas. Proper placement—not quantity—is what delivers results, and homeowners should avoid applying dusts in open, frequently trafficked living spaces.
Deploy baits and sticky monitors. Commercial silverfish baits containing boric acid or similar ingredients can reduce populations when placed in high-activity zones such as bathroom cabinets, basements, attics, and closets. Sticky monitors help gauge activity levels and reveal hotspots; placing several throughout the structure provides a clear picture of where to focus control efforts.
Use residual insecticides only when necessary. If activity remains high after moisture control, sanitation, and exclusion, homeowners may turn to labeled residual sprays for cracks and crevices—not open surfaces. Treatments around baseboards, floor/wall junctions, and behind appliances can suppress persistent populations. Product labels must be followed precisely, with attention to safety precautions and reapplication intervals.
Maintain long-term prevention habits. Silverfish control is most successful when homeowners continue humidity reduction, periodic vacuuming, sealing structural gaps, and monitoring activity. Replacing cardboard storage with sealed containers, regularly checking dark storage areas, and controlling moisture year-round ensures the problem does not return.

Silverfish reproduce slowly but can live for years, so eradication may take several weeks. Heavy infestations may require our professional pest control for faster and more thorough elimination, especially in commercial spaces where sensitive products or structural concerns exist.

How To Get Rid Of Silverfish Fast

The fastest results come from combining moisture reduction with a well-placed desiccant dust treatment and targeted crack-and-crevice residuals. Lowering humidity immediately disrupts their environment and drives them out of hiding, which makes the other treatments more effective. The application of desiccant dusts—such as silica aerogel or boric acid—into wall voids, under appliances, behind baseboards, and around plumbing lines delivers rapid knockdown because these materials begin dehydrating silverfish as soon as they contact it. When paired with a properly labeled residual insecticide applied strictly into cracks and crevices (never broad-sprayed on open surfaces), the combination reaches both active insects and hidden harborage areas. Adding a few well-placed baits in high-activity spots accelerates population decline, since silverfish will feed while moving through treated zones. When these approaches are executed together, supported by immediate humidity control, homeowners typically see the quickest and most noticeable reduction in activity.

How To Get Rid Of Silverfish Permanently

Permanently eliminating silverfish requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach that addresses habitat, food sources, and insect survival, rather than relying solely on a one-time pesticide application. The strategies most likely to achieve lasting results are:

Moisture control – Silverfish cannot thrive without consistent humidity. Fixing leaks, installing dehumidifiers in damp areas, improving ventilation in bathrooms, basements, and attics, and insulating cold water pipes are critical. Long-term reduction in humidity to below 50% consistently makes the environment unsuitable for breeding.
Sanitation and food source removal – Removing cardboard, paper stacks, old books, unused clothing, and other starchy or cellulose-containing items denies silverfish their primary food. Regular vacuuming, sweeping, and cleaning behind appliances and furniture reduces crumbs and microscopic debris they can survive on.
Structural exclusion – Sealing all cracks, gaps, and crevices around baseboards, doors, windows, and plumbing entries prevents new insects from entering and eliminates hiding places. This makes it much harder for populations to re-establish.
Targeted chemical treatments – Proper use of desiccants (boric acid, silica aerogel, or diatomaceous earth) in hidden harborage zones, along with residual insecticides applied strictly to cracks and crevices, can eliminate surviving adults and nymphs. Baits can reinforce control by killing insects that feed and return to harborage areas.
Monitoring and maintenance – Even after active treatment, maintaining sticky traps in key areas and routinely checking humid or dark storage areas ensures any resurgence is caught early. Periodic inspection and minor interventions prevent populations from building up again.
Long-term environmental management – Combining moisture control, sanitation, exclusion, and careful monitoring indefinitely is what ensures permanent elimination. Silverfish thrive in static, undisturbed environments; continual disruption of that environment is what prevents re-infestation.

Permanent eradication comes not from a single “kill” method, but from sustained elimination of moisture, food, and hiding places, reinforced with targeted chemical or physical treatments. Homeowners who implement all these steps systematically are the ones who typically achieve lasting control.

How To Get Rid Of Silverfish Naturally

There are several natural methods that can help reduce or eliminate silverfish, but it’s important to note that while these approaches can be effective, they generally work best when combined with environmental management (humidity reduction, sanitation, and sealing entry points). Natural methods usually act more slowly than chemical treatments, but they can be highly useful for prevention or for smaller infestations. The most effective natural options are:

Diatomaceous earth (food grade) – This fine powder is abrasive to insects. When silverfish crawl through it, the particles damage their exoskeleton, causing dehydration and death. Apply lightly in cracks, behind baseboards, and under appliances. Reapply if the area gets damp or is cleaned.
Boric acid (natural mineral form) – Although technically a chemical, boric acid occurs naturally and is relatively low-toxicity. Sprinkled sparingly in wall voids, behind appliances, and in dark corners, it adheres to the silverfish and disrupts their digestive system, killing them over time. Avoid overuse in open areas where pets or children could contact it.
Essential oils – Oils like cedar, lavender, citrus, and peppermint can repel silverfish due to their strong scents. While they won’t kill an established infestation, spraying diluted solutions in closets, bookshelves, and corners can discourage them from returning. Frequent reapplication is necessary for effectiveness.
Cedar wood or cedar shavings – Silverfish avoid cedar naturally. Placing cedar blocks or shavings in storage areas, closets, or under furniture can create a barrier that deters them from nesting.
Sticky traps – Non-toxic glue traps placed along walls, behind furniture, and in dark corners can capture silverfish and give you an idea of activity hotspots. This method doesn’t kill all silverfish, but it reduces numbers and helps monitor population levels.
Environmental adjustments – Reducing humidity, improving ventilation, and removing starchy food sources (cardboard, paper, glue, fabric) are natural “methods” in the sense that they make your home inhospitable. Even if you don’t use chemicals, these steps alone can eventually drive silverfish out permanently.

In practice, natural methods work best when combined: diatomaceous earth or boric acid for lethal effect, essential oils or cedar for repellency, and environmental management for long-term prevention. Alone, essential oils or cedar may deter but usually won’t eradicate an existing infestation.

The Best Way To Get Rid Of Silverfish

Our professional pest control is the most effective way to eliminate silverfish for several reasons. While DIY methods can reduce numbers, silverfish are notoriously persistent and can hide in tiny cracks, crevices, and behind walls, making them difficult to fully eradicate without expert intervention. Here’s why hiring our professionals is the best approach:

Expert Knowledge of Silverfish Behavior

Our professionals understand the habits, feeding patterns, and preferred hiding spots of silverfish.
We can identify areas that homeowners often miss, such as attics, crawl spaces, wall voids, and behind baseboards.
This ensures treatments target the root of the infestation, not just the visible insects.

Access to Advanced Treatments

Our professional exterminators use more effective, long-lasting insecticides and baits that are not available to the general public.
We can apply residual sprays and dusts in hidden areas where silverfish hide, ensuring lasting results.
Some treatments are formulated to penetrate cracks, behind walls, or under flooring—areas typically unreachable by DIY methods.

Comprehensive Inspection

Our professionals conduct a thorough inspection to determine the extent of infestation.
We identify contributing factors, such as moisture sources, leaks, or structural issues, which may be sustaining the population.
This allows for a more strategic, integrated approach rather than simply spraying chemicals.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Approach

Our experts don’t just kill insects—we implement a multi-pronged strategy: moisture control, habitat modification, exclusion techniques (sealing entry points), and targeted treatments.
This reduces the risk of recurrence and provides long-term prevention.

Time and Safety Efficiency

DIY attempts often involve repeated treatments, trial-and-error, and ongoing monitoring, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Our professionals minimize exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals and know how to apply them safely, particularly around children, pets, and sensitive areas like kitchens or offices.

Guaranteed Results

We provide ongoing services visits and guarantees to ensure the infestation is completely eradicated.
Without our professional intervention, silverfish can survive for months in hidden areas, gradually rebuilding the population despite repeated DIY efforts.

Our professional pest control is the best solution because it combines expert knowledge, safe and effective treatments, thorough inspection, and a strategic long-term plan. DIY methods may reduce silverfish temporarily, but our professionals are far more likely to achieve complete eradication and prevent reinfestation.

Get Rid Of Silverfish With Miche Pest Control

Hiring our team of professionals at Miche Pest Control is an investment in long-term protection, expertise, and peace of mind. Here’s why:

Personalized Service and Local Expertise: We know the specific pest pressures in the area. Our technicians understand the environment, climate, and building types common to the area, allowing them to provide targeted, effective treatments.
High-Quality, Comprehensive Solutions: As a full-service provider, we don’t just treat surface problems; we address the root causes. From inspections and prevention to exclusion and ongoing maintenance, we deliver complete, integrated pest management (IPM) programs designed to both eliminate infestations and prevent future ones.
Accountability and Reliability: We live and die by our reputation. We rely on trust, referrals, and repeat business, meaning we're committed to doing the job right the first time and providing exceptional customer care.
Faster Response Times: We respond quickly to emergencies and schedule services sooner than large, national chains. Especially when you’re dealing with urgent pest issues, that speed matters.
Customized Treatment Plans: We tailor our services to your property’s specific needs instead of using one-size-fits-all chemical treatments. This results in safer, more effective pest control that minimizes environmental impact and reduces unnecessary pesticide use.
Highly Trained, Experienced Technicians: We invest in training, certification, and continuing education for our technicians. We stay current on the latest pest biology, control techniques, and safety standards.
Long-Term Prevention and Value: Our focus on providing quality service means fewer callbacks, longer-lasting protection, and better value over time. Instead of repeated, temporary fixes, you get strategic solutions that protect your home or business for the long run and provide better peace of mind.

Hiring our team means you get expertise you can trust, faster service, safer and more effective treatments, and long-term results that protect both your property and your peace of mind. Contact us today!