Fighting silverfish
Silverfish and grey silverfish: how to recognise, understand and get rid of them
Silverfish are elongated, silvery, shiny insects with three tail bristles. They are active at night and avoid light, which is why you usually only see them when you switch on the bathroom light at night. Nibbled paper, wallpaper and fabrics give them away. They breed slowly but stay for a long time: lower the humidity and seal their hiding places, and you get rid of them for good.
Straight to the solution: Get rid of silverfish or go straight to the Super Ninja silverfish trap.
What is the difference between silverfish and grey silverfish?
Both are elongated and silvery; the grey silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata), also called the long-tailed silverfish, is slightly larger, greyish to brownish and hairier. Common silverfish need high humidity and live mainly in bathrooms and kitchens. Grey silverfish cope with dry air too, so they also turn up in living rooms, bookcases and archives.
What attracts silverfish and where do they come from?
Moisture, warmth and food: mould, skin flakes, hair, crumbs and starchy materials such as paper, wallpaper paste and book glue. They often come in with removal boxes, books or clothes and live in cracks, behind skirting boards and behind wallpaper.
How fast do silverfish breed?
Slowly, for an insect. Over her lifetime a female repeatedly lays small batches of a few eggs in cracks. The young hatch after about two to eight weeks and look like small, paler adults. Depending on the temperature, it takes a few months to as long as three years before they are mature themselves. Silverfish can live for several years. So an infestation grows slowly, but it does not go away on its own either.
Do silverfish eat clothes?
Yes, grey silverfish in particular. They feed on fabrics with starch or residues, such as cotton, linen, viscose and clothes that are not freshly washed. Typical signs are small feeding marks and scraped patches rather than round holes. Clothes stored for a long time in a damp wardrobe or box are most at risk.
Are silverfish harmful or dangerous?
Not to people: they do not sting or bite and do not transmit any known diseases. They can, however, damage paper, books, photos, wallpaper and fabrics. Lots of silverfish are also a sign of too much moisture or mould in the house.
How do you get rid of silverfish?
First lower the humidity: below about 50 %, silverfish no longer feel at home. At the same time, put silverfish traps where they run, for example along the skirting boards in the bathroom and kitchen. That way you see how big the infestation is and catch them without spraying.
How do you prevent silverfish?
- Lower the humidity. Ventilate after showering and do not dry washing indoors.
- Seal joints and cracks. Close gaps at skirting boards, tiles and pipe openings with sealant.
- Remove food sources. Vacuum regularly, wipe away crumbs and keep paper, books and boxes dry.
- Check what you bring in. Shake out or vacuum removal boxes, second-hand books and clothes before putting them away.
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