Simple Silverfish Control: The Unwanted Houseguests Who Eat Your Books and Party in Your Closets
Table of Contents
- 0.1 Why Do I Have Silverfish?
- 0.2 Silverfish & Regina George From Mean Girls Think Carbs Are So Fetch
- 0.3 How to Evict Silverfish—Silverfish Control Without Pesticides!
- 0.4 What If I Need a Little Extra Help?
- 0.5 Final Thoughts—Silverfish Are Survivors, But You Can Win
- 1 FAQ’s Silverfish Control and Management
- 2 Our Pest Control Customers Enjoy Environments Free From:
If you’ve ever reached for a book or an old photo album only to find a tiny, silver, wriggling bug darting away at the speed of light, congratulations—you’ve met a silverfish.
These prehistoric, paper-loving pests are like that one cousin who crashes on your couch for ‘just a few days’ and is still there six months later. They don’t bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t spread disease, but they will munch on your belongings and make themselves right at home in your closets, garages, and bathrooms.
Why Do I Have Silverfish?
Silverfish thrive in warm, humid environments, making Florida homes a perfect breeding ground. They’re especially fond of places with moisture, darkness, and plenty of things to chew on—think master bedroom closets, garages stacked with delivery boxes, and home offices where important files mysteriously disappear overnight. If you live in a concrete home, you might notice more of them since concrete tends to hold moisture longer than wood-framed houses.
And if your home was built during the 2000s when waterproofing scams were all the rage? Well, let’s just say silverfish might be enjoying your home as much as you are.
Silverfish & Regina George From Mean Girls Think Carbs Are So Fetch
Silverfish love carbohydrates in all forms: paper, glue, books, wallpaper, cardboard boxes, and even your favorite vintage T-shirt. Got a pile of Amazon boxes sitting in the garage? Perfect silverfish habitat. Stacks of old newspapers? Buffet time. Closets packed with shoes, clothing, and storage bins? Five-star resort.
They also have a knack for invading the master closets in newer homes—especially in places like Viera and Palm Bay—where builders love placing closets right off the bathroom. Every time you shower, you’re creating a humid paradise for silverfish. And let’s be honest, those closet doors rarely get closed, so the little guys are encouraged by the environment to set up shop.
How to Evict Silverfish—Silverfish Control Without Pesticides!
Good news: you don’t need to douse your house in chemicals to kick these pests to the curb. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is your best friend. Here are some easy steps to get rid of them and keep them away:
- Run a Dehumidifier: Silverfish thrive in humid environments, so removing excess moisture is key.
- Keep Closet Doors Closed: Simple but effective. Make it a habit, and the lower moisture levels with discourage the silverfish from invading your closet.
- Use DampRid or Hanging Moisture Absorbers: These inexpensive products pull moisture from the air, making closets and storage areas less appealing.
- Install A/C Vents in Closets: Some of my customers have added A/C vents to their closets, and it solved not only their silverfish problem but also stopped random items from getting moldy.
- Silverfish Bait Packs: If you have an office (home or otherwise), bait packs are a great way to protect important documents. They usually come in 24-packs, so you can place extras in your closets or areas where you store papers, just in case silverfish try to get sneaky.
- Cedar Products: According to a University of Florida publication, Japanese cedar extract repels silverfish. You can grab cedar balls, cedar hangers, or cedar slivers at Walmart or online—bonus, they can help with moisture control too!
What If I Need a Little Extra Help?
If you’re battling an ongoing silverfish invasion, my pest control service at Pest & Lawn Organic Guard includes silverfish treatment as part of our regular service. But the best results come from fixing the problem at its source. Habitat modification is always better than dealing with recurring infestations (and moldy leather goods).
Oh, and did I mention our attic dusting service is FREE for new customers? Silverfish love attics, but our dusting service takes care of them before they get a chance to migrate down into your living space. If you live in a mobile home, we also offer under-mobile-home dusting, which is a game-changer for moisture control and pest prevention—especially in places like Barefoot Bay, where older mobile homes often have serious moisture issues underneath.
Final Thoughts—Silverfish Are Survivors, But You Can Win
Silverfish have been around since the time of dinosaurs, so they’re pretty resilient. But with a little environmental tweaking and the right pest control strategies, you don’t have to share your home with these ancient, paper-eating squatters. Whether it’s using dehumidifiers, cedar products, bait packs, or our professional pest control services, you can reclaim your home from silverfish—before they turn your master closet into their personal library and buffet.
Want silverfish gone for good? Call Pest & Lawn Organic Guard today at 321-704-0434 and let’s make your home a no-silverfish zone!
