- LAST UPDATED: May 21, 2024
You may spot creepy little bugs known as silverfish invading your bathroom. These insects, resembling walking fossils, have a voracious appetite for sweet and starchy foods. They can even feast on the fibers of your carpets and magazines. While they may not pose any immediate danger to humans, silverfish can cause damage to your belongings and create an unsightly presence in your home.
If you’re looking for effective ways to get rid of silverfish in bathrooms, read on for some useful tips and tricks to banish these pesky critters for good.
- Boric Acid 20.0%
- Dekko Silverfish Paks are to be used in residential housing (indoors and attics), basements, closets, bookcases, around household clothing and fabric containers, drawers, and also rugs and carpets.
- Dekko Silverfish apply at approximately 2 oz per 100 square feet or 1 quart per 250 square feet
Why Are Silverfish in Bathrooms?
If you see insects with teardrop-shaped bodies covered in tiny scales, giving them a silvery or grayish-blue appearance, they are likely silverfish. They have three long antennae at the front of their body and a pair of long, slender appendages at the rear, which are used for movement. Silverfish move in a wriggling motion, which has been compared to the movement of a fish swimming through water.
Silverfish do not live in drains, even though it may seem like they do. They are attracted to warm, humid environments, which is why they are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas with high levels of moisture. Silverfish tend to seek out dark hiding places with temperatures between 70°F to 90°F. They often hide in tight cracks and crevices during the day and come out at night to feed on their preferred diet of carbohydrates and proteins. They are also commonly found in dark places such as closets, behind baseboards, and in crawl spaces. While they can’t climb smooth surfaces, they can maneuver through small cracks and crevices, making it easy for them to enter homes through gaps around windows and doors or cracks in walls.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish in Bathrooms (3 Steps)
Silverfish are not harmful to humans in terms of biting or transmitting diseases, but their shed skins and feces can cause allergic reactions in some individuals. It is important to take steps to prevent silverfish infestations, such as reducing moisture levels in the home and keeping food sources properly sealed.
1. Find Their Location
Silverfish can hide in various places, and it’s essential to locate the source of the infestation to effectively get rid of them. Common hiding places for silverfish include behind baseboards, near leaking pipes, in cracks and crevices, in attics, basements, and crawl spaces, and stored items such as books, clothing, and cardboard boxes. Clean and check the bathroom fan for harboring silverfish as well.
2. Reduce Moisture
Take steps to reduce moisture in the bathroom to make it less attractive to silverfish. For example, you can hang towels, washcloths, and bathmats to dry outside of the bathroom, wipe down surfaces that are prone to moisture buildup, and use a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels low. You should also fix any dripping or leaky faucets and ensure that the bathroom plumbing is in good condition to prevent moisture buildup. It’s also a good idea to seal up any cracks or crevices where silverfish can enter, such as around baseboards and pipes. Using caulk or weatherstripping can help with this. Clean the bathroom thoroughly and be minimalist.
3. Trap & Kill the Silverfish
The following methods are a few examples of how to trap and kill silverfish.
DIY Trap
A simple DIY trap is a great solution for anyone looking to get rid of silverfish in their home without resorting to toxic chemicals or expensive professional treatments. With just a few household items and a little bit of effort, you can create an effective trap that will lure in these pesky insects and prevent them from escaping.
All you need is a glass jar without a lid, a food source such as flour or dried cereal, and some masking tape. By wrapping the outside of the jar with masking tape to create a textured surface, you’ll make it easy for silverfish to climb into the jar in search of food. However, once they’re inside, the smooth glass surface will prevent them from climbing back out, effectively trapping them inside. This non-toxic and inexpensive method is easy to set up and can be placed in any area where you’ve noticed silverfish activity. Plus, it can be reused as many times as necessary, simply by rinsing out the jar with hot soapy water and replacing the masking tape when needed.
- Listing is for 2 boxes of Dekko paks 24 paks per box 48 total paks
- Place 2 to 3 packs in each infested area. Place in closets, drawers, bookcases, in basement and dark hidden areas.
- When Dekko Silverfish packs are used as the only treatment, control may not be obtained from 3 days to 4 weeks depending on conditions. Replace Packs as necessary to affect and maintain control
- Made in the USA
- Boric Acid 20.0%
- Dekko Silverfish Paks are to be used in residential housing (indoors and attics), basements, closets, bookcases, around household clothing and fabric containers, drawers, and also rugs and carpets.
- Dekko Silverfish apply at approximately 2 oz per 100 square feet or 1 quart per 250 square feet
- TRAP SILVERFISH WHERE THEY ARE KNOWN TO TRAVEL — Each of these discreet glue traps attracts and catches silverfish with an irresistible lure. Silverfish are most likely to be found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, attics, and crawl spaces, and are particularly attracted to under-sink areas where the environment is humid and dark. The traps can be placed around housing spaces including basements, closets, bookcases, near household clothing and fabric containers, and inside drawers.
- NATURAL SCENTED ATTRACTANT FORMULATED TO LURE SILVERFISH — Attracts bristletail silverfish, common silverfish, four-lined silverfish, gray silverfish, firebrat silverfish, jumping bristletail silverfish, and other crawling pests. Our scented attractant is formulated using a proprietary blend of food-grade, natural ingredients including fruit juices and extracts which are known to attract silverfish.
- TRUSTED BY PEST CONTROL PROFESSIONALS — Control silverfish infestations in residential housing, basements, attics, closets, drawers, bookcases, as well as rugs and carpets. Quickly identify silverfish in residential and commercial settings including homes, residences, apartments, condos, hotels, dormitories, hospitals, offices, and more. Get rid of silverfish now and reclaim your indoor space with EcoPest Silverfish Glue Traps.
- ECO-FRIENDLY AND NON-TOXIC — Non-toxic, home, family, and pet safe. Avoid the need to bring harmful chemicals into your home. These discrete, adhesive traps will trap silverfish and combat infestations without putting your family or the environment at risk. Protect your furniture, books, food, and family without the need for harmful sprays! Separate the traps along the perforated edges for a total of twelve (12) traps or leave the traps connected for six (6) longer, extra-large traps.
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Sticky Trap
Another option is to use sticky traps that are specially designed to trap silverfish. Place these traps in common hiding spots silverfish in bathrooms, such as behind the toilet or under the sink. These traps are disposable and easy to use.
Natural Options
You can also use natural remedies such as diatomaceous earth (DE), a powdery substance that can dehydrate and kill silverfish. Sprinkle the powder around areas where you suspect silverfish are hiding, such as in cracks and crevices. The powder is non-toxic to humans and pets but can be messy, so use it with care.
Another natural option is to use essential oils such as lavender, cedarwood, or citrus. These oils have a strong scent that repels silverfish. You can add a few drops of these oils to a spray bottle with water and spray the mixture in the bathroom. Cedar oil, in particular, is an effective insecticide. Mix 30 drops of cedar oil per 1 oz of water and shake before spraying.
Prevention of Silverfish Infestation
Here are a few more tips to help prevent and control silverfish infestations:
- Store food items in airtight containers to eliminate potential food sources for silverfish.
- Remove any cardboard boxes or paper bags, as silverfish love to feed on paper products.
- Keep your home clean and clutter-free, as silverfish love to hide in cluttered areas.
- If you spot silverfish in your home, vacuum them up and dispose of the vacuum bag promptly to prevent any eggs or young from hatching and spreading.
- Consult with a pest control professional to identify and address any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the infestation, such as mold or moisture issues.
Conclusion
Silverfish love bathrooms because of the high moisture content. Take steps to reduce moisture in the bathroom by drying towels and other linens in an alternate area, increasing ventilation, and using a dehumidifier. Keeping food stored in airtight containers and regularly cleaning up any crumbs or spills can also make your home less attractive to silverfish. Sealing any cracks or gaps in walls, floors, and foundations can help keep them from entering your home in the first place. If you do find silverfish in your home, there are various DIY solutions and professional pest control services available to help eliminate them.
