What on earth are silver fish and how do you get rid of them?

Silverfish are something I’ve never seen or heard of outside my parents’ house. My parents have had them for years, and they’ve tried to get rid countless times. But they’ve only ever got bigger.

When they first started noticing them, they were tiny little things. Now they get some absolutely enormous ones.

And apparently, other people are having the same problem.

Searches for “how to remove silverfish” have shot up by a huge 5,000% in the past month alone, most notably for people living in Wales and England (and we’re on the border).

But there’s a reason for this.

As soon as we crank the heating up, humidity rises, bathrooms get steamy, laundry takes longer to dry, and before you know it… you’ve created the ideal boutique spa for silverfish. Lovely.

The team at Clear It Waste have been chatting about why these little critters love our cosy winter homes so much, and more importantly, what to look out for if you think they’ve moved in rent-free.

 

What actually are silverfish?

If you’ve never seen one, imagine a teeny-tiny shiny creature with a bit of a fishy wiggle to it. Silvery-blue, quick on their feet, and big fans of moist spaces like bathrooms, basements and attics. They come out at night (of course they do) and absolutely love things like books, paper, clothes and the odd snack lurking in the back of the cupboard.

Basically, they’re like tiny book-eating ninjas.

I won’t put up a photo, because they look creepy and you can just Google it yourself.

 

What are the signs of silverfish in your home?

Keep an eye out for these sneaky giveaways…

1. Loads of activity in damp or humid spots

Bathrooms, utility rooms, basements, wardrobes — if it’s a bit warm and a bit moist, that’s silverfish heaven. You’re most likely to spot them scampering about after dark. (Why can’t pests ever appear at a civilised hour?)

The best way to find them in this instance, is to wait until the evening when it’s dark and turn on a light. You’ll probably find them scurrying away.

2. Droppings and shed skin (sorry, I know)

Not the nicest thing to talk about over your morning cuppa, but their droppings look like tiny dark pepper-specks. They also shed skin which can look like thin little silvery flakes or fine yellow dust. It’s easy to mistake it for normal household dust, until you realise it’s moving.

3. Damage to books, paperwork and clothes

Silverfish nibble anything with starch — pages, envelopes, cardboard, favourite jumpers. If you notice little chewed edges where there definitely shouldn’t be, including holes in your clothes, that’s a dead giveaway.

 

How to get rid of silverfish

These little blighters are notoriously difficult to get rid of. My parents had an exterminator come to the house and blast it to try and kill them all. They went away for a bit, but the larger, stronger ones stayed behind and now they seem to have mutant silverfish that are bigger than they were before.

The only area of the house that wasn’t blasted was the loft, but this area should have been done too, as they’ve since found them up there in the insulation and inside boxes.

If you don’t want to go the extermination route, there are some things you can do to make your home less appealing to them.

1. Reduce the moisture in your home

Silverfish love humidity, so the best way to make your home unappealing is to make it dryer.

We use a dehumidifier at home, and it can collect around 10 litres of water in 8 hours. We’re always emptying it, so think how much water would be in our house if we didn’t.

If you don’t want to invest in a full unit, as they can be pricey, then you can buy disposable ones that can be left on windowsills to remove moisture.

The idea is to stop moisture building up in the first place:

• Open windows after having a bath or shower (yes, even in winter, just for 10 minutes or so)
• Keep lids on pans when you’re cooking
• Dry your washing in a tumble dryer or next to a dehumidifier
• Use your extractor fans in the bathroom and kitchen

You’ll know if your home is too damp if you get condensation on the inside of your windows.

2. Air out your bathmat and towels

Fun fact: nearly a million Brits have never washed their bathmat. And another 10 million only wash it if they have visitors over.

But actually, bath mats have been found to harbour more bacteria than a toilet seat. You stand on it after your shower and the bacteria just thrives in all that damp material. If you’re showering every day, it’s probably not even getting a chance to dry thoroughly before it’s used again.

Silverfish love a soggy bathmat, so hang it up after every shower and wash it regularly. Your bathroom will smell much fresher for it.

3. Fix leaky pipes and check vents

Even a tiny drip can turn a cupboard or bathroom corner into the perfect silverfish Airbnb, and a slow leak creates that lovely warmth and moisture that silverfish thrive in.

Definitely take the time to look around and under your sinks, behind the toilet, around the washing machine and anywhere pipes go into the walls.

If you do spot a leak, don’t leave it for future you, as that’s how silverfish party venues get established. Fix it as quickly as possible to keep your home dry and leak-free.

While you’re at it, make sure your vents are actually doing their job. Blocked, dusty or broken vents can trap steam in bathrooms and kitchens, which only ramps up the humidity. Good ventilation keeps everything drier, fresher and far less appealing to silverfish.

4. Try natural deterrents

Silverfish hate lavender and peppermint oil, which is handy because your house will smell gorgeous.

Pop a few drops on cotton wool and tuck them around sinks, drains, toilets, pipework, the laundry basket, anywhere a silverfish might like the look of. Not only do they act as a deterrent, but your bathroom will smell like a spa, which is always a win.

You can also stash silica gel packets (those little “do not eat” sachets) in drawers, wardrobes and storage boxes. They’re brilliant at absorbing moisture that builds up in small spaces. If you’ve got a habit of keeping old magazines, letters or paperwork in cupboards, silica gel helps protect those too.

 

A little extra advice

Josh Clarke from Clear It Waste, adds:

“It is recommended to block any entry points that could allow silverfish to enter the property. Seal any gaps or crevices around windows, doors, and pipes as they can fit through the smallest cracks. This can also help in preventing them from laying eggs on the property (which they can do very frequently), as females tend to lay them in cracks.

“Tidying and cleaning potential hiding spots for silverfish regularly, such as the bathroom, basement, attic, wardrobes, laundry room, and those cupboard or drawer spaces, is crucial for early detection of any infestations. Look out for those yellow stains, skin sheddings and droppings, which can indicate their presence. If you think you have an infestation issue, it is important to seek professional help to ensure that it doesn’t worsen.”

If you do spot the warning signs, it’s best to call the pros before things escalate. Silverfish aren’t dangerous, but they are persistent.