Silverfish can take years to reach full maturity. Silverfish bugs are a common household pest that can infest many different areas of the home. These insects have a metallic silver color and fish-like shape, and they often hide in moist or humid environments.
Silverfish don't bite or sting, but they can be annoying pests. Because they eat paper and glue, they can cause damage to books, linens, and wallpaper.
Getting rid of silverfish can be a challenge, and you may need to use repellents and pest control methods. If you suspect that you have silverfish bugs in the house, it is important to take steps to prevent and get rid of these pests as soon as possible.
In this article, we'll discuss common places where silverfish bugs hide, as well as tips for silverfish prevention. Read on to learn the most common silverfish hiding spots!
1. Bathrooms
Bathrooms are one of the most common places you'll find silverfish bugs hiding in the house. These insects are attracted to damp and humid areas, and bathrooms provide the perfect conditions for them to thrive.
In the bathroom, silverfish may hide in the cracks and crevices around the bathtub and shower. They may also be near the sink and toilet, where they can find food sources such as toothpaste and hair.
To prevent silverfish infestations in the bathroom, it's essential to keep the area as dry as possible. You can keep the home dry by fixing leaks, using a bathroom fan to vent out moisture, and ensuring proper ventilation in the bathroom. Additionally, it's essential to keep the bathroom clean and tidy, as silverfish like to hide in areas with a lot of debris.
2. Kitchens
Kitchens are another common place where you can find silverfish bugs. Silverfish love to hide in moist and humid environments, and the kitchen provides a variety of potential food sources, such as cereals, flour, sugar, and other starchy items.
In the kitchen, they may also hide in small openings around the sink, dishwasher, and other appliances, where they can find shelter. They may also make a home in pantries and cupboards, where they have access to food sources like cereal and flour.
3. Basements
It's common for silverfish to hide in basements, as they are often dark and humid. In the basement, silverfish may hide in openings around pipes and the foundation of the house, where they can find moisture.
Basements are usually cooler than the rest of the house, so silverfish are more likely to hide near appliances that give off heat.
4. Attics
Areas that don't get disturbed often, such as the attic, give silverfish a great source of hiding spots. Silverfish often hide around the roof and walls in the attic.
They may also hide in areas with a lot of debris, such as old newspapers, books, and cardboard boxes.
5. Laundry Rooms
Laundry rooms are another common place for silverfish to be found, as they are often warm and humid. Due to steam from the wash, the laundry room can often hold moisture, especially if you leave the lights off.
Leaving the door open can help air out the laundry room if you notice silverfish hiding there.
6. Bedrooms
Although it isn't the first place silverfish will choose to hide, you can sometimes find them in the bedroom, particularly around the windows or closets. They can even hide under furniture like dressers and nightstands.
To help keep silverfish out of your bedding, be sure to change and wash your sheets often. As your sheets accumulate moisture, they can become good hiding spots.
The last place you want to find bugs is where you sleep. To prevent silverfish from invading your bedroom, don't leave food or drinks out, and clean up any dishes.
7. Garages
Garages usually aren't as sealed off from the outdoors as other parts of the home, making them an easy entry point for silverfish. Because the lights are usually off in the garage, it's also a cool dark area, which can make it an attractive hiding spot.
Garages can easily become an overflow storage space for things you can't find a place for in the house. However, silverfish will be able to hide well in a cluttered garage, so keep this space as tidy as possible.
8. Crawl spaces
Crawl spaces are a common place for silverfish to be found, as they are often dark and enclosed. If you use your crawl space for storage, you might inadvertently provide silverfish with the perfect home.
9. Bookshelves
In addition to starches and carbs, silverfish can also eat book bindings and glue. Bookshelves offer crevices to hide in as well as a food source, so they can attract silverfish.
If you notice silverfish elsewhere in your home, check your bookshelves as well.
10. Utility Closets
Depending on the layout of your home, there may be a utility closet with a water heater, circuit breaker, or other HVAC equipment. The heat and moisture from these appliances can attract silverfish to the utility closet.
11. Furniture
Silverfish hide underneath or inside furniture for a few reasons.
Food particles often end up underneath furniture like couches and TV stands. The dark areas underneath furniture are also a good place for silverfish to hide.
12. Rugs and Carpets
Carpets can often trap food particles, and silverfish can compress their bodies to crawl underneath rugs. In some cases, carpets are an ideal spot for silverfish to lay eggs, making an infestation worse.
To keep rugs and carpets free of silverfish, vacuum regularly. Be sure to empty the filter outside so any captured insects don't escape into your home.
13. Cardboard Boxes
Like books, cardboard boxes have paper fibers and glues that silverfish can feed on. They can also provide shelter for insects, especially stacked up.
If you use cardboard boxes for storage, keep them closed so insects can't get in as easily. If you have to store a large amount of items, consider using plastic bins, which won't attract silverfish.
Prevention
To prevent silverfish infestations in your home, it is important to keep the environment as dry as possible. You can do this by fixing any leaks, using dehumidifiers, and ensuring proper ventilation in damp areas such as bathrooms and basements.
Their natural predators, such as centipedes and spiders, will naturally feed on silverfish. If you find either of these other pests, it may be a sign of a larger silverfish problem.
It is also important to keep clutter to a minimum, as silverfish like to hide in areas with a lot of debris. Search your home for openings that need caulking like baseboards and counters.
Make sure to weatherproof your home to eliminate points where insects can get in. Finally, make sure to seal grains, bread, and cereals in airtight containers like plastic bags.
Getting Rid of Silverfish
If you already have a silverfish infestation, there are several methods for getting rid of these pests. One of the most effective methods is to use a pesticide specifically designed for silverfish.
These pesticides are available for purchase at most hardware or home improvement stores, but you can also buy pesticides online.
Another way to get rid of silverfish is to use a sticky trap. You can place these traps in areas where you know or suspect silverfish to be hiding, and they will trap the insects as they walk across the sticky surface.
In addition to using pesticides and sticky traps, there are other silverfish solutions that you can use to get rid of these pests.
Another solution is to use a boric acid-based powder, which can be applied to areas where silverfish are known to be present. This powder will dehydrate and kill insects but is safe for use around humans and pets.
In addition to getting rid of silverfish, it's important to use deterrents to keep them from returning.
One of the most effective natural deterrents is placing cedar balls or blocks in areas where silverfish are known to be present. The smell of cedar is unappealing to these insects and will help prevent them from nesting.
Stop Finding Silverfish Bugs in the House
You can find silverfish bugs in the house infesting many different areas, including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and laundry rooms. To prevent and get rid of silverfish, it's important to keep the house as dry as possible.
You can also stop infestations using pesticides, sprays, and sticky traps. Be sure not to leave food out and avoid letting your home get too cluttered.
Remedy gives customers the tools to get rid of pests themselves. Contact us today to learn how you can keep your home free of pests!