Silverfish

What do silverfish look like?

You may find two types of silverfish crawling around your home: nymphs and adults. Nymphs look like tiny versions of adult silverfish. Adults are about ¾ of an inch long with a shiny silver coloration. These insects have six legs, two antennae on the top of their larger front section, and three appendages sticking out from the rear. One rear appendage extends straight back, while the others angle outward at 45 degrees. Silverfish are flat and teardrop-shaped, resembling fish when viewed from above. They resemble fish in the way they move, bending and wiggling as they scurry across the floor.

What do silverfish eat?

Silverfish feed on sugary and starchy materials, but many food sources aren’t what you’d typically consider edible. They consume paper products, linen, cotton, silk, paste, and other cellulose materials. They also eat human food, invading cabinets and shelves to feed on sugar, cereal, oats, pasta, bread, and other carbohydrate-rich items. In fact, they often chew through cardboard or paper packaging before reaching the food inside. Silverfish are especially problematic in humid environments or damp storage areas, where softened paper materials attract them.
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Do silverfish bite or sting?

No, silverfish do not bite or sting. They lack stingers, and their mouthparts aren’t designed for biting. While they can chew through cardboard, they don’t bite into it—they scrape it, slowly ingesting the shavings.
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Do silverfish damage books, clothing, or other household items?

Yes, silverfish can cause significant damage to household items, particularly those made of paper or fabric. They pose a particular threat to valuable paper collectibles, vintage clothing, and fabric heirlooms.
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Why do I keep finding silverfish in my home?

Silverfish enter homes for several reasons, including:

• Damp conditions near your home’s exterior attract them
• The presence of an outdoor food source allows their population to grow
• Entry points such as cracks in the foundation, exterior gaps, or openings around windows, doors, and pipes
• Indoor humidity and available food sources supporting an infestation

Another reason silverfish persist in your home is the lack of exterior pest control. We can help by establishing a protective pest barrier around your home.
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Do silverfish indicate a moisture problem in my home?

Not always, but they can be a sign of moisture issues. While silverfish may enter homes simply through available entry points, they are attracted to humidity and damp conditions. If you’re finding silverfish indoors, inspect your home for moisture damage.
 

How do silverfish get inside homes?

Silverfish enter through small cracks and gaps, often on the first floor. Common entry points include:

• Gaps between foundations and sole plates (the horizontal timbers connecting wall studs)
• Cracks in foundation walls leading to wall voids
• Gaps in window and door frames that allow access to wall voids
• Tiny openings around pipes passing through foundation walls

Once inside, silverfish emerge through gaps in baseboards, framing, crown molding, plumbing, and damaged fixtures. Proper pest-proofing inside and out is essential to keeping them out.
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What’s the best way to eliminate silverfish?

For relief from silverfish and other house-infesting pests, consider signing up for one of our year-round home pest control plans. Ideal for homes in Northern California, each plan includes routine pest treatments and our guarantee - if covered pests show up, we’ll return between services to re-treat for free!
 

How can I prevent silverfish from coming inside?

We recommend sealing cracks and gaps on your home’s exterior to keep silverfish out, reducing outdoor habitats and food sources and addressing moisture issues.