If you saw a silver bug racing across your bathroom floor, there is a good chance it was a silverfish. These little pests love moist, dark places, and bathrooms are high on their list of preferred areas, and they can move fast when they want to. You’ll also frequently find these bugs in your basem*nt, attic, and kitchen. So, if you see a fast-moving silver bug in these areas–yup, you guessed it–you probably have silverfish.
Why are silverfish in my house?
A silverfish infestation often begins with water damage. If you have these little pests running around on your bathroom floor, you may have a bigger problem than icky bugs scaring you when you flick the light on during a midnight bathroom visit.
These pests could be a warning sign. If you have gutters that aren’t working properly or water accumulated near your basem*nt walls after it rains, it can damage the wood of your home. When areas begin to rot, pests such as the silverfish exploit those entry points and come into your home.
Can I get silverfish in the winter?
Yes! Here are a few things you should know about these little silver bugs that have chosen your house to hide in through the winter.
Silverfish do not hibernate. If you have these little bugs in your nice cozy home, they are going to be active all winter long.
Though they don’t hibernate, silverfish can go into a state called diapause, where their development is arrested for a period of time due to a lack of favorable living conditions like cold temperatures or a lack of food sources.
Silverfish are cold blooded creatures that cannot control their body temperature. But, in a state of diapause, they can alter their blood composition to form a sort of antifreeze that will keep them from freezing. For this reason, they can be found in some surprisingly cold places in your home during the winter months.
What should I do about silverfish?
Silverfish won’t harm you. These bugs don’t sting or bite. But when you see them running around inside your home, you should definitely have a professional look at the situation. Why? Because a professional will do two things for you: When a pest technician inspects your home, they will be able to determine the most likely entry points these pests are using.
If they are gaining entrance to your home through a rotted spot, you’ll be able to address the issue before it worsens into a real problem. If your pest technician determines that the silverfish are coming in through gaps and cracks in your foundation, torn screens, missing door sweeps, damaged weather stripping, or some other hole in your defenses, they can help you get those holes filled.
Can I take care of silverfish on my own?
When you see silverfish, avoid the urge to crush them. This can stain light-colored surfaces.
You can make your home resistant to silverfish by reducing humidity. Install a dehumidifier in your basem*nt to keep it dry down there. Turn the fan on in the bathroom when you take a shower. Refrain from leaving wet towels or clothing on the floor.
Silverfish are looking for moisture. But, to effectively keep silverfish out of a home you need someone with experience and training in pest control to treat adult bugs and harborages, seal any entry points, and monitor for new activity.
Protect your home and protect your family from silverfish, and a host of other household pests, with ongoing pest service like Moyer Pest. When you have year-round pest management, you don’t have to wonder if your house is being damaged, and you don’t have to worry about battling mysterious, pest-related illness. Year round pest service is the smart way to guard against pests.
Give us a call at 215.799.2010 or fill out the form below and we will contact you.
FAQs
If you saw a silver bug racing across your bathroom floor, there is a good chance it was a silverfish. These little pests love moist, dark places, and bathrooms are high on their list of preferred areas, and they can move fast when they want to.
What are the tiny silver bugs in my bathroom? ›
Silverfish are nocturnal insects that can infest any area in a home, but these critters prefer the warm, humid environment that a bathroom offers. Although silverfish are considered merely a nuisance pest, they can damage items in your home, contaminate food products, and trigger allergies in some people.
Why am I getting silverfish in my bathroom? ›
They are attracted to moisture and warm, dark places with high levels of humidity (above 75 percent), which explains why they are frequently found in bathrooms. However, they cannot climb on smooth vertical surfaces, so they are frequently found trapped in bathtubs and sinks.
Should I be worried if I have silverfish? ›
Should I be worried if I see a silverfish? While silverfish are generally not harmful to humans, their presence can be indicative of underlying issues in your home, such as high humidity or food sources that attract them.
How to get rid of silverfish in bathroom drain? ›
Bathrooms are the most humid places in most homes, so silverfish love them. Dehumidification and ventilation of the space may help. Eliminate clutter, especially in dark, protected areas like bathroom cabinets and drawers. If you notice silverfish laying eggs in sinks or drains, remove the eggs with a HEPA vacuum.
What kills silverfish? ›
Borax. Borax is an effective way to eliminate an infestation in the home. This compound is found naturally in the ground and can be condensed to create boric acid. Boric acid is another potent remedy for silverfish.
Are silverfish harmful to humans? ›
Silverfish feed on starchy materials and items that are high in protein. They are active at night and cause damage to books, stored food, and clothing. While these insects do cause problems, silverfish are not harmful to human health and do not carry any diseases.
Do silverfish mean mold? ›
Silverfish are a warning sign that your home has developed entry points, more specifically, entry points that may have been caused by water damage. When rain water gets into places it shouldn't, it can cause mold, mildew, fungi, algae, and other things to grow.
Why do I have silverfish all of a sudden? ›
On occasion, Silverfish may hitchhike on firewood or on other materials brought into the building. When they are in a house, there is most often an infestation outside of the house. Silverfish can climb to get into a building and, on occasion, silverfish will find their way onto a bed or other furniture.
Does 1 silverfish mean infestation? ›
Unlike other pests that might infiltrate your home, silverfish are solitary pests and don't live in groups. Spotting one isn't necessarily a sign of a problem, but if you find multiple, you might have a bigger problem on your hands.
This is a sign that there are water damages somewhere in your home. It could mean that you have water problems that you are unaware of. It [ http://of.It ] could be leaky pipes, clogged gutters, or damages in your foundation. Silverfish are pretty harmless indoor insects that rarely cause any major damages to the home.
Do silverfish go in beds? ›
Although they prefer places like bathrooms and closets, it is possible to find silverfish bugs in beds. These insects are about half an inch in length with silver teardrop-shaped bodies and long antennae. While they're more annoying than harmful, these pests can damage bedding.
What do silverfish hate? ›
Silverfish are deterred by scents like cedar, orange, lemon, peppermint, rosemary, bay leaf, clove, cinnamon, and lavender. You can use essential oils to spray these scents around problem areas.
Will vinegar get rid of silverfish? ›
Vinegar can briefly keep silverfish away but can't fully prevent or get rid of them. However, relying on a knowledgeable pest professional can prevent these pests from causing more problems.
Why do I keep finding silverfish in my bathroom? ›
First of all, silverfish adore dampness, moisture, darkness, and tranquillity. These are the conditions of attics, basem*nts, and bathrooms. So your bathroom is most probably where silverfish will hide, sleep, breed. And during the night, when all family members are asleep, they come out to search for some food.
What smell gets rid of silverfish? ›
Silverfish can't stand the smell of mothballs. Mothballs will not kill silverfish; rather serve as a deterrent from areas where they are placed. Spices such as sage, bay leaves and cloves also serve well as good repellants.
Why am I getting so many silverfish? ›
Given that Silverfish live where conditions are wet and humid, their presence could be a sign that there is a water issue in your house – it could be a leaky pipe, or water coming from outside of your home. You might also discover damp or rotting wood in areas where you find Silverfish.
What are the little silver things in my bathroom? ›
Silverfish are common pests found in bathrooms due to their attraction to moisture and humidity. These small, silver-colored insects are often discovered in dark, damp areas such as under sinks, in shower corners, or around plumbing fixtures.
What do bathroom mites look like? ›
Mold mites – Constant moisture in the bathroom can produce mildew and mold, and when it does, mold mites may grow into a problem. Mold mites are teeny tiny white to tan bugs that feed on mold. Like co*ckroaches, they reproduce rapidly and produce allergens that can trigger an allergic response in some people.
