How to get rid of silverfish: Best traps and prevention tips

Silverfish are tiny, wingless bugs that are silver-gray in color and shaped like a fish. They are long-bodied, have antennae and have three tails at the posterior end. They tend to be most active at night and are attracted to dark, moist places like basements, attics and bathrooms. Silverfish bites on human beings are very rare, but they can do considerable damage to personal goods. They’ll eat starch containing things like paper, books, uniforms, clothing, and food. This results in holes and a worn look on critical items, like paperwork or wardrobe.

Silverfish are hard to get rid of, since they’re fast and usually hide well. Silverfish traps are great for trapping and controlling these pests. They are designed to lure silverfish in and trap them using sticky material or bait. Traps can be a helpful way to monitor the infestation and prevent new ones from getting started.

Silverfish Biology and Behavior

Silverfish are small, wingless insects, 13–25 mm in length. Their casings are silver or silver-blue, encased with metallic scales that give them a fish scale like appearance. They have three long, bristle-like legs on their tail that help them to move. Silverfish are fast and erratic movers and flat, which is how they got their name.

The fish are nocturnal, rest and hide during the day in cool damp areas. They are secretive and easily overlooked unless people know where to find them. They move about quickly and with jerky motion much like a fish darting to and fro.

Why Silverfish Invade Homes

Silverfish invade homes seeking better living conditions, such as warmth, moisture and darkness.

• Humidity: Silverfish love damp places as they need water to live. Houses with excessive humidity, like those with leaking pipes or bad ventilation, make an ideal environment for the bugs.
• Temperature: Silverfish like it warm, and are most comfortable between 70-80°F (21-27°C). Houses with unified heat are less likely to stop silverfish infestation.
• Darkness: Silverfish are naturally nocturnal, so they prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as cracks, beneath furniture and behind baseboards. This makes basements, attics, and bathrooms the ideal place for silverfish.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish are nocturnal creatures who would rather not be seen during daylight hours, but they can be seen at nighttime when they emerge. When disturbed by a sudden motion or a light turning on, they tend to dart quickly across walls, floors or ceilings. They are typically reclusive, spending much of the day tucked in cracks and crevices, so they may not be easy to find unless on the hunt.

Damaged Materials

Silverfish is infamous for damaging paper, books, and clothing. They feed by chipping out small, perfectly round holes or notches.

• Wallpaper: Silverfish can cause damage to wallpaper by chewing small holes in it, leaving behind a distinctive pattern of feeding damage.
• Fabric: Clothing, and particularly apparel which is constructed of natural fibers, may show signs of occasional small pin holes or other small imperfections near seams and folds.
• Books: Silverfish feed on books, leaving yellow or brown stains and chewed edges on the pages, which can be a problem for valuable or antique libraries.

Droppings and Scales

Silverfish droppings are small and black, resembling pepper. Their droppings are often discovered close to their hiding places or where they have munched a meal.

There are many metallic scales on the surface of the body of the silver fish which can also be seen around infested places. These scales are metallic and look like silver, and can easily be found where silverfish are hiding or feeding.

Types of Silverfish Traps

There are several types of silverfish traps available, each with varying levels of effectiveness.

DIY Silverfish Traps

Home remedies for silverfish are a simple, effective, and inexpensive method to catch silverfish without the need for harmful chemicals. 

1. Paper and Tape Traps

The easiest and cheapest way to catch silverfish is by using some paper and tape. Place a strip of sticky tape or double sided tape onto a flat area such as a floor or shelf, where silverfish visit. Silverfish will be attracted to the adhesive surface and become stuck as they try to crawl across it.

Placement Tips: For best results, locate these traps near infestation sites, including under sinks, near food, and anywhere along the house perimeter.

2. Jar Traps with Food Bait

Another easy DIY method is to employ a jar to make a trap. Take a glass jar and put a silverfish attracting food in it, such as a piece of dried bread or a piece of cloth soaked in starch. Then, elevate the jar a bit, so that the silverfish crawl into it and then can’t get out.

Placement Tips: Put the jar where silverfish are likely to be discovered, such as behind furniture or in the corner.

3. Sticky Traps

Sticky traps are another successful way to trap silverfish. Such traps are commercially available and can be constructed in the home. The traps have a sticky material that snares silverfish as they walk on it. Silverfish will crawl into these traps, which are typically placed in areas where they are active.

Placement Tips: Position sticky traps near the corners or near cracks where silverfish may enter or travel.

Commercial Silverfish Traps

These are effective, depending on the level of infestation, and come in several types:

1. Glue Boards

Glue boards are some of the commercially available traps for silverfish. These boards are treated with a strong adhesive to capture silverfish.

Placement Tips: Place in corners, along walls, or underneath places where silverfish have been seen.

2. Baited Traps

Baited traps use a food attractant to lure silverfish into a container, where they become trapped. These traps often contain an attractive food source, such as starch or cellulose, which is what silverfish feed on. Once the silverfish enter the trap, they cannot escape.

Placement Tips: Locate the trap near suspected areas of silverfish activity, or near hot spots where there is evidence of silverfish activity such as near store areas of moisture.

3. Pheromone-Based Traps

These traps are covered with synthetic pheromones that replicate the smell of a female silverfish in heat, and lure the male to the trap. The silverfish are drawn toward the trap by the pheromones and become trapped.

Placement Tips: Place indoors on a flat surface near silverfish activity or where they have been observed, commonly at locations such as in closets, under sinks and near food.

3 Best Silverfish Traps for Home

There’s probably no better way to stop silverfish infestation than by using effective silverfish traps. Here are a few top rated silverfish traps on Growcycle:

1. Enoz Trap-N-Kill Spider & Silverfish Trap

The Enoz Trap-N-Kill Spider & Silverfish Trap is a convenient, long-lasting, and non-toxic solution for controlling silverfish and other pests, including spiders and crickets. This trap is super-sized and can catch multiple bugs at one time.

Once the silverfish walk on the trap, their feet are sticky enough, making it impossible to escape. It’s chemical free, meaning it’s safe around children and pets. Put it in corners, under sinks and near baseboards, where silverfish tend to be found or appear.

2. Harris Silverfish Killer Traps

Harris Silverfish Killer Traps are extremely effective for catching and locating silverfish. These traps use a scented attractant to capture pests and their unobtrusive design means people can hide them in any room in the home.

They are non-toxic, making them a safe trap for silverfish and safe to use around pets and children. They should be placed in high humidity areas, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They are great for monitoring and killing silverfish.

3. GreenWay Spider and Silverfish Trap

The GreenWay Spider and Silverfish Trap is another great option for silverfish control in bathroom. This pre-baited sticky trap is easy to use and it also catches spiders and other crawling insects besides silverfish. Non-toxic and safe to use when people have children and pets around.

The trap is most effective when placed in a dark, unused area of each room, such as along corners or behind tables and appliances. It’s easy to use and homeowner friendly.

Natural Remedies to Repel Silverfish

For those looking to avoid chemical treatments, several natural remedies can effectively repel silverfish without posing harm to humans or pets. Here is how to catch silverfish naturally:

1. Essential Oils and Natural Repellents

Silverfish hate smells, especially citrus, lavender, and cedarwood oils. These oils don't just keep silverfish away, but also help the home smell great.

Combine a few drops of these oils with water in a spray bottle and mist around areas where silverfish like to hide, such as baseboards, closets, and dark corners. Drench cotton balls in these oils and place them where silverfish will wander.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a naturally occurring sedimentary rock and it looks like a terrific option. Deadly for bugs, including silverfish, but safe for humans and pets. DE does this by injuring the silverfish’s exoskeleton, which then results in losing moisture and in turn dying. It is a very potent natural insecticide.

Spread a fine layer of diatomaceous earth around places where people usually find silverfish like along baseboards, cracks and entry holes. Make sure to use food-grade diatomaceous earth, and even wear a mask while applying it so that users don’t end up breathing in the dust.

3. Herbs and Spices

Bay Leaves, cinnamon, and cloves are herbs and spices known to deter silverfish. Bay leaves can be left in the cupboards or drawers, and cinnamon and cloves can be sprinkled around the areas of contamination.

4. Other Non-toxic Methods

Closets, wardrobes and storage areas can have natural cedar chips to deter silverfish. Mothballs (often used for clothing protection) can also be effective at keeping silverfish at bay, although some people may not like their strong scent.

Prevention Tips to Keep Silverfish Away

For silverfish control in bathroom, consider what attracts them first. This includes removing the food sources, minimizing moisture, filling entry points, and keeping a clean home to avoid infestations. Take a few simple precautions and it's possible to avoid these infractions:

1. Eliminating Food Sources

Silverfish are attracted to food, things that are high in starch or cellulose. The more potential food sources users remove or make inaccessible, the less likely a rat infestation will occur.

• Basic housecleaning, including vacuuming or sweeping floors, can help remove crumbs and other silverfish food sources for silverfish. This is especially handy in spots like kitchens, the area under furniture and along baseboards, where food turns into crumbs.
• Food need to be in well-sealed containers to prevent attracting silverfish. People should also not keep food uncovered in places where these pests potentially lurk, including kitchens, pantries and storage rooms.
• Silverfish excel at finding food in out of the way places. Caulking cracks and crevices is another way of making sure that silverfish do not have access to food or hiding spots.

2. Reducing Humidity and Moisture

Silverfish love wet environments, so preventing moisture is part of a successful prevention plan.

• Dehumidifiers can help draw moisture from areas of the home that are more susceptible to excess humidity, such as a basement or bathroom. Keeping the humidity in house between 30% to 50% will provide less hospitable conditions for silverfish.
• Plumbing leaks or other places where water can enter the home need to be fixed as soon as possible. Moisture is the sustenance for which silverfish rely upon and leaking pipes, faucets or roofs provide that source to them.
• Good ventilation in rooms, especially in bathrooms and kitchens, will reduce moisture. Promote better airflow and keep humidity at bay by installing exhaust fans or leaving windows open.

3. Seal Entry Points

Silverfish often enter the home through tiny cracks and gaps. Sealing these entry points is vital in preventing an infestation.

• Silverfish entering the home can be reduced by checking and sealing around windows and doors. Applying weatherstripping or caulking to these gaps can act as an effective block.
• Silverfish can penetrate through cracks in walls, floors, and foundations, so make sure to seal them with caulk, expanding foam, or sealant.

4. Cleaning and Decluttering

Keeping a clean and clutter-free home is crucial to keeping them at bay.

• Vacuuming and dusting routinely removes the food for the silverfish, as well as any eggs that have been laid along with the silverfish's hiding spots. This also helps eliminate silverfish from entering the home.
• Silverfish like to inhabit areas that are cluttered so they can hide in things such as stacks of paper, old books and in clothing that has not been used. Frequently cleaning and decluttering places where they like to hide, such as closets or attics, basements and storage areas, will make the environment less inviting for them.

The Bottom Line

Silverfish are attracted to warm, moist, dark places, so minimizing moisture, caulking up cracks and eliminating food sources can help keep them away. The best method to control them is by using silverfish traps. These traps can be used to catch silverfish, preventing them from creating any additional damage.

For those looking for an excellent way to keep silverfish at bay, Growcycle is the perfect solution to get the best silverfish traps for home, while also being safe for children and pets. However, taking these preventative measures and using proper traps can prove effective for homeowners who want to keep silverfish at bay and safeguard their things.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.