Q&A for How to Get Rid of Silverfish

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Yes, this is a successful organic approach.

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.

No, they don't.

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.

This would depend on your tenancy/license agreement.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

Yes.

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

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

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

Any hardware or DIY shop will have it.

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.

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

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