Crawling pests
Silverfish
Silverfish are commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, roof voids and storage areas where humidity is present. They feed on paper, glue, fabrics and organic materials.
- Stay out of treated areas
- 3 to 4 hours or longer
- Avoid cleaning treated surfaces
- 7 days
No entry until it's dry. Drying takes 3–4 hours or longer, so don't go back into a treated area until it's dry, even if the time on this page has passed.
Get your home ready
Before we arrive
After treatment
- Avoid cleaning treated surfaces for 7 days
- Reduce humidity levels where possible
- Maintain ventilation in bathrooms and storage areas
Common questions
What conditions promote silverfish activity?
Silverfish thrive in humid environments.
How long will the treatment take?
Activity may continue briefly after treatment until contact with treated areas.
What can I do to reduce the likelihood of their return?
Ongoing moisture control helps reduce recurrence.
Are silverfish the same as bristletails?
No, but they're easy to mix up. Bristletails have large eyes that touch and a long middle tail that is much longer than the other two. They also jump when disturbed.
Signs you've got silverfish
- Small insects, 2 to 18 mm long, with a tapered body shaped like a teardrop or spindle.
- Three thin tails at the tip of the body.
- When they're disturbed they stay still or run for cover.
- They're normally active at night.
- Several together around a source of food.
Where silverfish hide, and what draws them in
Where they hide
- In bathrooms, kitchens, roof voids and storage areas where it is humid, behind skirting boards, and in boxes of paper and books.
- If they're out during the day, they're generally in dark places.
What draws them in
- Starchy things, such as wallpaper glue, book bindings and photographs.
- Fungi and plant material.
Keep them away
- Reduce humidity using ventilation
- Store paper and clothing in dry areas
- Maintain regular pest protection
What happens next
Booking the treatment
Silverfish are treated around bathrooms, storage spaces and wherever they're active. Ring us and we'll tell you what it needs and what it costs.
Still have a question?
Call us and we'll help. If you're still seeing activity after the times on this page, let us know.