Key Takeaways
- Silverfish are ancient, fast-moving, scaly insects up to about 2 cm long with three tail filaments.
- They do not bite, sting or spread disease, but they damage paper, books, glue, some fabrics, flour and oats.
- They thrive in humid, dark and undisturbed places, so moisture control is the key.
- A large adult over 1.5 cm suggests an established population.
- Silverfish treatment is available as an add-on to our general pest control.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish are considered one of the oldest insects in the world, going back hundreds of millions of years. These ancient insects are grey or silver, and up to about 2 cm in length. They belong to the insect order Zygentoma, and our general pest control service can deal with them.
Unlike most insects, silverfish keep moulting as adults, up to about 50 times in a lifetime. Silverfish are also active at night, which is why they are common when you go to bed or wash your teeth.
Are Silverfish Harmful to Humans?
Due to its appearance, people believe that silverfish are harmful. Here’s the good news: silverfish are not known to bite or sting, and there is no scientific evidence that they are poisonous. They do not spread disease.
That said, some people have allergic reactions to them. Silverfish shed scales as they grow, and some people may be allergic to dust from these scales.
How to Identify Silverfish
Silverfish are small insects with long thin bodies. They are silver-grey, and adults are covered with thin scales that look like fish scales. They have three tail-like filaments, and they move very fast.
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Length | Up to about 2 cm |
| Body | Long, thin and scaly |
| Tail | Three filaments |
| Movement | Fast and darting |
They are smaller and lighter than cockroaches. Our team at Control Pest Management is trained in spotting and treating silverfish.
Where Do Silverfish Live?
Silverfish absorb moisture from humid air, and they hide in dark, undisturbed places. Warm, humid homes suit them well, which makes bathrooms, laundries, cupboards and storage boxes common hot spots.
- Bookshelves, boxes of paper and wardrobes.
- Bathrooms, laundries and under sinks.
- Roof voids and wall cavities that stay damp.
- Pantries holding flour or rolled oats.
Signs of Silverfish
Silverfish are active at night and hide by day, so you often notice the damage before you see the insects.
- Fast, silver insects darting across the floor or into drains when you switch on a light.
- Damaged paper, book bindings, wallpaper or glued surfaces.
- Shed scales and cast-off skins in cupboards or boxes.
- Holes in fabric, or flour and oats that look disturbed.
Protecting Books, Paper and Fabrics
Because silverfish love humid, dark and undisturbed places, storage habits make the biggest difference. A few changes protect the things that matter most.
| Item | How to protect it |
|---|---|
| Books and papers | Store in dry, well-ventilated spots and shelve them away from damp walls |
| Photos and documents | Use sealed plastic tubs, not cardboard boxes |
| Clothes and fabrics | Keep wardrobes dry and avoid long-term storage in damp rooms |
| Flour, oats and cereal | Keep in tight containers |
How Many Silverfish Do You Have in Your Home?
While silverfish do not hurt you, they can damage your belongings. They feed on starchy and sugary material, and they damage paper, books, glue and some fabrics. They also eat flour and rolled oats in the pantry.
A large adult, over 1.5 cm long, suggests an established population. Seeing one now and then is common, but regular sightings point to a bigger problem.
How Serious Are Silverfish Problems?
- Allergies: they do not transmit disease, but silverfish can cause allergies in some people.
- Property damage: in the house, silverfish eat grain and create large holes in clothes, upholstery or paper.
- Stored goods: in large numbers they can cause a lot of damage to books, photos and documents.
How to Reduce Silverfish Numbers
Silverfish are very common in the home. Unfortunately, it is difficult to make silverfish completely disappear unless you have the professionals at Control Pest Management on the job. If you don’t want your belongings ruined, these steps help make your home less attractive to silverfish:
- Restrict food sources by keeping cereals, grains, cakes, beans and pet food in tight containers.
- Keep pantries tidy and clear out old stock.
- Clean floors and upholstery regularly to reduce food availability.
- Use dehumidifiers in wet areas to remove the moisture that attracts silverfish.
- Have roof insulation correctly installed to reduce moisture.
- Mow lawns to help keep damp away from your home.
- Seal gaps in walls, ceilings, support poles and windows.
What Helps Get Rid of Silverfish
Our Control Pest Management trained professionals can identify and treat areas that are active in a residential property. Silverfish treatment is available as an add-on to our general pest control.
Do not let these creepy crawlers take over your house and damage your property. Control Pest Management has the experience to deal with the silverfish in your home. We will inspect the areas where they hide and explain how to reduce moisture so they do not return.
Silverfish Control with Control Pest Management
Our technicians are licensed, fully insured and police checked, and our treatments are suitable for children and pets. We service the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan, and our 376 Google reviews are rated Excellent. See our Gold Coast pest control page, or request a free quote. Call 1300 357 246.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are silverfish harmful?
Silverfish are not known to bite or sting, and they do not spread disease. Some people have allergic reactions to the dust from the scales they shed. While they do not hurt you, they can damage paper, books, glue and some fabrics, so they are best kept under control.
What do silverfish look like?
Silverfish are small insects with long, thin, silver-grey bodies, up to about 2 cm long. Adults are covered in thin scales that look like fish scales, and they have three tail-like filaments. They move very fast and are active at night, which is why people often see them at bedtime.
What do silverfish eat?
Silverfish damage paper, books, glue and some fabrics, and they also eat flour and rolled oats. In large numbers, they can create holes in clothes, upholstery and paper. Keeping pantry items in tight containers and storing papers in dry spaces limits the damage they can do.
How do I reduce silverfish numbers?
Store cereals, grains and pet food in tight containers, and clean floors and upholstery regularly to reduce food. Use dehumidifiers in wet areas, install roof insulation correctly to reduce moisture, and seal gaps in walls, ceilings and windows. A technician can treat active areas.
Why do I have silverfish in my bathroom?
Silverfish absorb moisture from humid air and hide in dark, undisturbed places, so bathrooms and laundries suit them well. Fixing leaks, running exhaust fans and using a dehumidifier makes these rooms less inviting. Seal gaps around skirting and pipes so they have fewer places to hide.
Do silverfish bite or sting?
No. Silverfish are not known to bite or sting, and they do not spread disease. Their impact is on belongings, since they damage paper, books, glue and some fabrics. Some people can react to the dust from the scales silverfish shed, so wash your hands after handling infested items.