If you have found silverfish or signs of silverfish in your home, you can get rid of them with the proper products and treatments. Read our guide below to learn more about silverfish treatment and how to get rid of silverfish yourself.
Not sure if you have silverfish? Before you treat, make sure you know what silverfish look like and where silverfish hide in your home.
Use Professional Grade Products
There are three types of products we recommend using to combat a silverfish infestation: silverfish packs, perimeter bait, and insecticide. By using all three products in conjunction with one another, you will have the most success controlling your infestation.
DoMyOwn sells silverfish control kits that contain the three products needed to treat a silverfish infestation. Read below to learn how to use each product.
Products needed for Step 1
Use Silverfish Packs
Silverfish packs are an easy and economical way to kill silverfish. Simply place the packs in infested areas and wait. The silverfish will eat through the packs and ingest the poison inside.
Place packs in closets, bookcases, attics, basements, storage areas, and anywhere you have seen silverfish.
It will take several days to several weeks to fully control your silverfish population using silverfish packs, depending on the size of the infestation.
Products needed for Step 1A
Treat With Perimeter Bait
Using a granular insecticide perimeter bait, like InTice 10, in addition to silverfish packs will also aid in eliminating silverfish. Apply the perimeter bait in attics near eaves and vent pipes, in the corners of basements, in crawl spaces, and in drop ceilings. Use a shaker or duster to apply bait around the perimeter of attics and basements. Do not apply where children or pets have access.
You can also treat the cracks and crevices of your home, including around pipes and in the cracks of outlets, and around the outside of your home.
Products needed for Step 1B
Treat Inside the Home
A liquid insecticide treatment will kill the silverfish living in your home. Treating the inside of your home in addition to using silverfish packs and perimeter bait will control your silverfish infestation.
To treat the inside of your home, mix an insecticide labeled for silverfish, such as Talstar P, according to the product label. Use 1 ounce of Talstar P per gallon of water (or the ratio of product to water indicated on the label of your chosen insecticide), and mix in a hand pump sprayer. Wear protective gloves and long-sleeves when working with insecticide.
Spray the following areas of your home:
- Around door and window frames
- Under sinks and around pipes
- In the corners of closets, attics, and basements
- Under kitchen appliances
- Behind toilets
- Other places where silverfish have been known to harbor
Products needed for Step 1C
Monitor Your Infestation
After performing Step 1, use glue boards around your home to monitor your infestation. Place glue boards where you have seen silverfish, including the corners of closets, bathrooms, and bookshelves.
As time passes after treatment, you should see less and less silverfish on your glue boards. If you are still seeing activity after 30 days of treatment, you may need to retreat.
Products needed for Step 2
Regulate Humidity
Silverfish are attracted to humidity. Using a powerful fan in the bathroom to quickly cut humidity after a shower will greatly reduce the humidity in your home. Leave your bathroom fan on while you shower, and for at least 10 minutes after you finish showering.
If silverfish and humidity in the home are a reoccurring problem, investing in a home dehumidifier may be a smart choice. A dehumidifier is a machine that removes excess moisture from the air of your home, creating an environment that is unappealing to silverfish.
Products needed for Step 3
