Q&A for How to Get Rid of Silverfish

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Question

I'm finding silverfish in my bathroom sink. Why and how do I stop them from coming in?

Community Answer

Silverfish sometimes breed down drains due to the moisture. After using the sink before you go to bed, pour a cap of bleach down all sinks and drains in the house and, if possible, plug them. This should prevent them from reproducing.

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Question

Do silverfish live outside?

Mr. C

Community Answer

Yes, they do live outside. Many times they can be found under rocks or tree bark, or in and around dead leaves.

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Question

How do silverfish get into the house?

Community Answer

They can come in through open doors, windows, pipes and any cracks in the walls.

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Question

Why are there silverfish on my ceiling?

Community Answer

They are there for the same reason they are anywhere: there is a food source. There must be something close by that is giving them nourishment.

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Question

Can I sprinkle boric acid onto the carpet to kill silverfish?

Community Answer

No, it can be dangerous on the carpet. Use boric acid as a trap in a bottle or container.

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Question

I have diatomaceous earth but the dust looks brown. Is it okay?

Community Answer

There are different kinds of diatomaceous earth, and many are naturally mixed with different types/colors of clay, and are different grades (purities): food grade, livestock grade, etc. Any type will kill silverfish as all DE is made of ground fossilized diatoms which have sharp edges and will cut a silverfish's exoskeleton.

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Question

Where do silverfish hide in your house?

Community Answer

They love moist places, such as a humid closet or the bathroom. Check bookcases, clothing and paper piles. Also, if you've left anything wrapped in paper in storage, they may be present there too.

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Question

Are there other ways to remove silverfish quickly?

Community Answer

Vacuum more frequently and remove cereals from their boxes. Dust books regularly and remove moisture whenever it appears anywhere.

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Question

How can I prevent taking silverfish with me when I move into another apartment?

Community Answer

Do diatomaceous earth treatment at the new house, and seal baseboards and cracks and holes as well. In the old house, wash and dry all clothing and bedding and place in vacuum-sealed plastic bags or plastic storage totes with lids. Vacuum and wash carpets. Shred and or burn any paperwork, documents, bills, etc. that are not needed. Throw away everything that is starch or textile based that is not used or wanted. Set traps every night, as many as possible prior to moving day.

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Question

Will sachets of lavender prevent silverfish?

Community Answer

Yes, this is a successful organic approach.

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Question

What is the ratio for combining lemon or lavender essential oil and water?

Community Answer

I've used a spray of 25% lavender oil and 75% water. It seems to work. Also, hanging fresh lavender flowers, if you have access to any, in your wardrobes and cupboards will work as well, and it smells great.

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Question

Do they eat wool carpet?

Community Answer

No, they don't.

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Question

Do they affect my health?

Community Answer

No, they are completely harmless. However they are unpleasant to see and can be harmful to your furniture, books, clothing, and blankets or pillows. They are not harmful to pets either. Maybe consider teaching a household cat or dog to catch the bugs and kill or eat them.

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Question

Should my landlord be responsible for getting rid of silverfish in my bathroom?

Community Answer

This would depend on your tenancy/license agreement.

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Question

How do I get rid of fleas?

Community Answer

Buy large salt crystal salt Sprinkle a thin layer of this salt over your floor, chairs, etc. Vacuum after 6-8 hours. Repeat the process if necessary. The longer you leave the salt down, the better your results will be. In my experience, table salt or fine grain salt doesn't work as well.

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Question

Can I kill silverfish if I wash all my clothes when they are on them?

Community Answer

Yes. The chemicals from your laundry detergent, as well as the force of water from the washing machine, would kill them.

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Question

Do moth balls kill silverfish in the attic?

Community Answer

In my experience, mothballs do not kill, or even repel, silverfish. Use lavender oil, not essence of lavender, or cedar chips to repel them.

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Question

How on earth do they get in the bed?

Community Answer

They crawl up the legs or bedspreads that touch the floor.

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Question

How do I entice silverfish to leave historical paperwork (home and at local museum) and once they are out, what is the best way to store documents safely for the future?

Community Answer

Freeze your papers for two weeks. Wrap the papers in plastic and use a freezer that doesn't let ice build up. Afterwards, store your documents in archival folders or boxes in a room with low humidity (use a dehumidifier if necessary), caulk cracks or other small openings around the room, and set insect traps - the flat, sticky sheets are useful for monitoring what kinds of bugs you have and how many might be running around.

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Question

Would steam cleaning the carpet help?

Community Answer

All insects are susceptible to heat so I would imagine it would. Though you would have to really penetrate the fibers and foam backing.

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Question

Does cinnamon help get rid of silverfish?

Mr. C

Community Answer

Yes, as do any spices, really. Make small satchels with different spices and put them in areas where silverfish have been seen to deter them.

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Question

Where do silverfish come from?

Community Answer

They infiltrate houses from exterior spaces through open windows, doors and even pipes.

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Question

Can infra red light kill silverfish?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

Do silverfish eat holes in clothes?

Community Answer

Yes, they do. They can damage clothes, paper and other moist things. This is one of the reasons they are pests.

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Question

What surfaces can silverfish climb?

Community Answer

They can climb essentially anything, from tile to porcelain to carpet. Whatever you're thinking of, assume they can climb it.

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Question

Is lavender oil the only essential oil that will repel silverfish, or can I use something else?

Community Answer

No. You can also use cinnamon, cedar, citrus, and basil essential oils. I have also used cedar wood spray with success.

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Question

Where can I get caulk?

Community Answer

Any hardware or DIY shop will have it.

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Question

How do silverfish get into a home and or apartment?

Community Answer

They can march over to your home from your neighbor who does not keep a clean home, just as cockroaches can. They can also enter your home by paper grocery bags, again, just like roaches. We suffered an infestation of roaches in a high rise where this woman did no cleaning of her unit. I was 7 floors up from her and management found where they nested...her apartment.

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Question

Do silverfish bite and make you itch?

Community Answer

Yes, they may cause itching and rashes because they have stingers.

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Question

How can the silverfish climb on the bed?

Mr. C

Community Answer

They walk up a leg and across the underside of the bed, then up the side and onto the top. Easy as that.

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