Helping Get Rid of Silverfish
These fast-moving pests are not only slippery in their movements, they can be fairly difficult to contain if you’re not prepared. But have no fear – we have tips and solutions to help eliminate silverfish problems.
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Silverfish 101
With distinct silver scales, long antennae, and lightning-quick movements, it’s easy to identify silverfish on sight. But that’s also part of the problem: Silverfish tend to hide their presence from people...so once you’ve seen one, you may actually be dealing with an infestation in your home. Get more silverfish basics here.
How to identify a silverfish infestation
These elusive nuisances prefer moist, humid areas like bathrooms, basements, and attics with telltale signs of an infestation indicated by yellow stains - especially on linens or book pages - and irregular feeding marks that look like etchings on surfaces.
How to identify a silverfish infestation
Silverfish are typically scavengers who seek small crumbs, but they may also infest stored food like cereals. These silvery insects are even known to eat certain fabrics, wallpaper glue, paper, and book bindings.
How to eliminate silverfish
Don’t panic – we have you covered
Follow these simple tips to help get rid of silverfish and protect your home from these speedy insects:
- Keep kitchen floors, counters, and cupboards clean. Pay special attention to cracks where the baseboard meets the floor.
- Wipe down bookcases, closet shelves, and door and window frames.
- Vacuum behind the oven, microwave, toaster, and refrigerator.
- Declutter the areas where you see silverfish.
- Use a pest control spray to kill silverfish on contact.
- If you have a heavy infestation, use a fogger product to help kill silverfish where they hide.
How to help prevent a silverfish infestation
Simple tips and guidelines to prevent long-term problems
- Declutter outdoor areas to remove hiding places close to your home. In warmer climates, silverfish often live outdoors near debris, stones, piles of wood, bark, or mulch.
- Seal any foundation or exterior cracks.
- Inspect cardboard packaging, furniture, and construction materials before bringing them inside as silverfish are often brought into homes in these items.
- Try running a dehumidifier to make your home less humid and less appealing to silverfish.
- Use a pest control barrier product to help keep silverfish from coming inside.
Raid® solutions for silverfish
Explore our family of products designed to help you get tough in the fight against silverfish infestations and keep them from invading your home.
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