Silverfish aren’t a health risk, but they can quietly damage books, photos, wallpaper, and stored fabric before most homeowners even realize they have a problem. They’re also one of the more secretive pests on this list, since they avoid light and stay hidden most of the time, which means a small population can go unnoticed for a while.

What do silverfish look like?

Silverfish are small, silvery gray, and shaped like a teardrop, tapering from a wider head to a narrow tail with three long bristles at the end. They move in a quick, wiggling motion that looks almost fish like, which is where the name comes from. They have no wings and typically stay close to the ground, moving fast when a light gets flipped on.

Signs you have a silverfish problem

• Small, pepper like droppings near books, papers, or stored boxes
• Yellow stains or small holes in paper, wallpaper, or fabric, since silverfish feed on the starches and glues found in these materials
• Shed skins, which look like thin, silvery outlines of the insect itself, left behind as silverfish grow
• Sightings in dark, undisturbed areas like closets, attics, garages, or storage boxes that haven’t been opened in a while

Because silverfish are nocturnal and avoid light, actually seeing one usually means there’s a larger population nearby, not just a single stray insect.

Are silverfish dangerous?

No. Silverfish don’t bite, sting, or spread disease. The real cost with silverfish is property damage rather than any health risk, since they can slowly ruin books, photographs, wallpaper, important documents, and natural fiber clothing or linens if they’re left undisturbed in storage for long enough.

Why do I have silverfish in my house?

Silverfish are drawn to humidity, and in the Valley that usually means bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, or any area with a plumbing leak or poor ventilation. They also thrive in cluttered, undisturbed storage, boxes of old paperwork, books, or fabric that don’t get moved or aired out. Once they find a spot with both moisture and a steady food source like paper or glue, they can establish a population that goes unnoticed for months.

How Trellis handles silverfish

Silverfish control is part of the same yard, fenceline, and perimeter approach used for general pests, our Triple Lock Protection System. Treating the perimeter of the home helps stop silverfish from finding their way in from outside, while addressing conditions around the property reduces the broader insect activity that silverfish and other pests are drawn to.

Silverfish control is included in every general pest membership at no extra charge, and it’s covered under your regular bi-monthly service.

How much does silverfish control cost?

Silverfish control is included in our general pest service, no separate specialty charge. Pricing is based on home size, the same as the rest of general pest coverage, and it’s handled during the same bi-monthly visits as everything else.

Can I get rid of silverfish myself?

Reducing humidity with a dehumidifier or better bathroom ventilation helps, and storing books, papers, and fabric in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes removes both a food source and a hiding spot. It’s worth periodically going through long term storage areas too, since silverfish can live undisturbed in a box that doesn’t get opened for a year or more.