What do silverfish look like?
Silverfish are small, silvery-gray insects with a distinctive teardrop shape. Their bodies taper from a wider head down to the end of the abdomen, where you’ll notice three long, tail-like appendages. Two long antennae stick out from their heads, giving them a bristly, prehistoric appearance. Silverfish usually grow to be about ¾ of an inch or smaller.
Do silverfish bite?
Good news: silverfish do not bite people. Their mouths aren’t built to pierce human skin. Even though they’re drawn to protein-rich materials, they’re content to nibble on dead skin cells, glue, or starches in everyday items.
While they’re not dangerous to your health, silverfish can be annoying to live with and may cause property damage over time.
Should I be worried if I have silverfish?
There's no need to panic, but silverfish infestations are worth addressing. These bugs aren’t out to hurt you, but they can damage your belongings, especially in quiet, undisturbed storage areas like boxes in the basement or attic.
Here are some of the things silverfish may chew through:
- Wallpaper
- Family photographs
- Books and documents
- Stored clothing
- Sheets and curtains
- Pantry food packaging
The longer silverfish stick around, the more likely they are to do noticeable damage.
What attracts silverfish?
Like many pests, silverfish are drawn by food, moisture, and shelter—all of which are common in homes, especially during our humid summers and damp spring and fall seasons.
- Food Sources: Silverfish love paper, cardboard, glue, and fabrics—especially if they’ve gotten damp. That makes cluttered basements and garages ideal hangouts.
- Moisture: These insects thrive in areas with leaky pipes, poor ventilation, or heavy condensation. Wet vegetation and leaf buildup around your home’s perimeter can also draw them in.
- Shelter: Silverfish avoid light and love to hide in dark, undisturbed areas. Stacks of paper, storage bins, old boxes, and firewood piles all provide cozy hiding spots.
How do silverfish get inside?
In Pennsylvania, silverfish often make their way indoors during wet seasons or cold snaps, especially when they’re looking for warmth or shelter from the elements.
Here are common ways they enter homes:
- Through cracks in rotted wood or siding
- By squeezing under gaps around windows and doors
- Via damaged or missing weather stripping
- Through plumbing penetrations and utility lines
- Hitching a ride on cardboard boxes, firewood, or secondhand goods
How do I get rid of silverfish?
If you’ve discovered silverfish in your home, contact Evergreen Pest Solutions for help. Our local pest control team offers home pest control services that eliminate silverfish as well as other house-infesting insects and rodents.
Can I prevent a silverfish infestation?
It isn't easy, but you do have some ability to prevent a silverfish infestation. Here are a few suggestions:
Outside Your Home:
- Keep gutters clean to reduce perimeter moisture
- Trim overgrown vegetation near the foundation
- Remove piles of leaves, mulch, or wood
- Store cardboard boxes off the ground
- Seal any cracks or holes in your siding, foundation, or around pipes
Inside Your Home:
- Use your bathroom fan during showers
- Repair any leaks, including under sinks and around toilets
- Install a dehumidifier in basements or other damp spaces
- Store keepsakes in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard
- Declutter dark storage areas where silverfish like to hide
