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Velvet Digest

What causes you to get silverfish in your house?

Author

Emily Wilson

Updated on May 11, 2026

One reason silverfish invade your home is that you provide an ideal environment. Silverfish need food and water to survive. Any environment where water and food particles are left to stand is ideal for silverfish. Likely areas include kitchens, bathrooms, basements and attics.

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Also know, is it bad to have silverfish?

Silverfish feed on starchy materials and items that are high in protein. They are active at night and cause damage to books, stored food, and clothing. While these insects do cause problems, silverfish are not harmful to human health and do not carry any diseases.

Furthermore, how do I get rid of silverfish in my house? Since silverfish love damp places, reducing the humidity in your home is a sure way to keep them out. Buy a dehumidifier and try to reduce the humidity in your home. If you don't want to use a dehumidifier, run the air conditioner or at least keep the fans on. Caulk all cracks and crevices where they could lay eggs.

Then, why do you get silverfish?

When rain water gets into places it shouldn't, it can cause mold, mildew, fungi, algae, and other things to grow. These natural organisms can soften wood and make it more susceptible to bugs and rodents. When gaps are formed, and areas are chewed, it gives access to moisture pests, like silverfish.

Does seeing one silverfish mean an infestation?

Silverfish prefer moist areas. The first place you'll usually see them is on the bathroom floor. If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance there are hundreds living in your walls. It doesn't take long for silverfish populations to get out of hand.

Related Question Answers

What are Silverfish a sign of?

Sign of a Silverfish Infestation Yellow stains, scales and/or feces (tiny black pepper-like pellets) may also be seen on infested materials. People have noticed silverfish when they come down on ceiling soffits and/or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures in the ceiling, likely entering through shake roofs.

Do most houses have silverfish?

Capable of thriving in most climates, silverfish prefer to dwell in dark, damp areas such as basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms. They are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing.

Do Silverfish lay eggs in your ear?

Silverfish are not dangerous to humans: Silverfish do not crawl into people's ears and burrow into their brains, or lay eggs, or anything else. But rest easy, because silverfish are not blood-eating insects, so they are not inclined to bite. And they are not known to cause or carry disease.

Do silverfish go away in the winter?

There's a reason silverfish have been around for millions of years: they can survive in nearly any climate! Unlike many other pests, which die off or go dormant in the winter, the silverfish, which gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements, can remain active all year long.

Do Silverfish lay eggs in clothes?

That's why you'll often find silverfish in basements, kitchens, laundry rooms and around heating and water pipes. They nest and lay eggs in cracks and crevices in those locations. Silverfish also frequently infest attics and closets, where they feed on books, clothing, paper and other carbohydrate sources.

How many eggs do Silverfish lay?

Silverfish can lay two or three groups of eggs every single day. Each of these groups contain clusters of between one and 20 eggs, depending on the species.

Where do Silverfish lay their eggs?

The female Silverfish will lay eggs in the tiny crevices in your wall or floor that are completely out of sight. This is for protection from human interaction, or their natural predators like spiders, other silverfish, and many more.

How do you deal with a silverfish infestation?

There are a few things you can do to deter them.
  1. Decrease the humidity. Silverfish love to live in moist, humid places.
  2. Store food properly. Store foods, such as cereal, pasta, sugar, and pet food in airtight containers.
  3. Remove other food sources.
  4. Take care of your walls.
  5. Keep your home warm.

Do all houses have silverfish?

Although not known to transmit diseases to humans, silverfish can damage a home's contents and furnishings. Once silverfish find a hospitable location, they tend to remain in place. If you have silverfish all over your house, they are likely seeking food, a better environment or more space for a growing population.

Do silverfish get in your bed?

Fortunately, silverfish aren't disease carrying and they're mostly a pest insect. They will, however, consume anything that appeals to them and can eat holes in mattresses, pillows and pillowcases, if allowed.

Are Silverfish a sign of mold?

Silverfish eat mold, so their presence may also indicate a mold issue in your home. They are also a preferred food of spiders, centipedes, and other insects, so silverfish in your home may attract these pests.

What is the lifespan of a silverfish?

After four to six weeks, the young develop into adults, molting up to 60 times throughout the development process. They also continually molt throughout adulthood. A silverfish's lifespan ranges from two to eight years.

What does silverfish poop look like?

The droppings resemble small, black peppercorns and are found in areas where silverfish frequent like kitchens, basements, garages,and storage areas. You may also see yellow stains in books, papers, and cardboard boxes indicating that silverfish have been there.

Should I worry about silverfish?

So, if you don't like silverfish crawling through your hair looking for dandruff and nibbling on your eyelashes, you might have something to worry about. But the real reason you should be worried about silverfish is why they are in your house in the first place. Silverfish are considered moisture pests.

Can silverfish come up drains?

The silverfish does not travel in water but can crawl along the outside of plumbing pipes. It finds its food in the deposits that form under air extraction vents and drains. THEY CAN BE FOUND ALMOST EVERYWHERE indoors - in the living-room, bedroom, bathroom, loft, cellar and garage.

Does baking soda kill silverfish?

To kill silverfish with baking soda, add some to a bowl with one cup of water and a tablespoon of honey. The silverfish will consume the mixture, and the baking soda will work to dehydrate them.

Why do houses have silverfish?

Where Do Silverfish Come From? In their natural habitat, silverfish live in leaf litter and in other natural crevices, such as under rocks and logs. Silverfish are attracted to dark and damp places, so this helps explain why they enter your home. Once they are inside, if they find food, they will stick around.

Do silverfish travel when you move?

Silverfish are insects and not actually fish They move side-to-side when they move and that movement looks a lot like a fish tail when they are swimming through the water. They tend to like moist areas. That's why you find them near drains, in sinks, bathrooms, damp basements and laundry rooms.

Does bleach kill silverfish?

Although there are a variety of ways to exterminate them, you can kill silverfish with bleach. Mix two parts water with one part bleach in a spray bottle. Pour a bleach and hot water mixture down your drains every day to kill the silverfish inside of your pipes.