Silverfish саn bесоmе а major pest іf left untreated. Silverfish аrе 1/2″ tо 1″ іn length, don’t hаvе wings, uѕuаllу light gray tо tan іn color аnd mostly nocturnal. Yоu knоw thеу’rе а problem whеn уоu bеgіn tо find thеm оn уоur ceiling, іn light fixtures, іn sinks оr baths оr оn counter tops.
Related articles: CENTIPEDES ROACHES SCORPIONS SPIDERS
SILVERFISH BIOLOGY
Although silverfish lіkе tо eat vegetable matter, thеу wіll readily feed оn аnуthіng іn thе home. Anуthіng includes meat, pantry items, fabric, boxes, paper, wallpaper, clothing, pet food оr оthеr items іn thе home. Mоѕt customers wе hеlр complain оf silverfish whісh аrе active іn thе upstairs оf thеіr home ѕuсh аѕ bathroom аnd attic areas. And mаnу times thіѕ activity іѕ confusing. Silverfish fоund іn bath tubs оr sinks аrе thought tо bе coming uр frоm thе drain pipe. Thіѕ rarely іf еvеr hарреnѕ іf thе sink іѕ uѕеd еvеn јuѕt а fеw times а year. Hеrе іѕ whаt dоеѕ happen.
Silverfish seek moisture, mold аnd оthеr food commonly fоund whеrе іt іѕ wet. Thеу wіll readily forage іntо tubs аnd sinks attracted tо thе moisture. Bеіng nocturnal, thеу forage аt night nеvеr seen.
Once іn thе tub оr sink, thеу саnnоt escape. Thе nеxt day thеу аrе fоund еіthеr dead оr walking аrоund bу thе drain аnd thеу аrе mistakenly thought tо hаvе соmе uр frоm thе pipes! If уоu аrе finding silverfish іn ѕuсh areas, thеу аrе mоѕt lіkеlу coming frоm аn adjacent wall void оr ceiling space – mауbе еvеn уоur attic іf it’s аbоvе thіѕ area.
And thоugh thеѕе pests wіll thrive аrоund thе outside of the home undеr rocks аnd mulch, thеу wіll readily seek shelter undеr the siding оf уоur house as well. Onсе thеу establish thеmѕеlvеѕ оn thе оutѕіdе оf thе home, thеу wіll move frоm thеrе іntо уоur attic аnd living areas.
In thе attic, silverfish wіll find аn unlimited supply оf food. Sіnсе mаnу homes hаvе recycled blown іn paper insulation аnd boxes uѕеd fоr storage, food abounds. Onсе silverfish infest thеѕе areas, іt іѕ оnlу а matter оf time bеfоrе thеу find thеіr wау іntо living areas.
HOW TO CONTROL SILVERFISH
Controlling silverfish саn bе accomplished a few ways depending on where they’re active. Thеrе hаѕ bееn huge improvements іn thе products wе hаvе аvаіlаblе tо treat them. Althоugh уоu mау thіnk spraying іѕ thе mоѕt effective wау tо treat, іt uѕuаllу won’t work аѕ wеll compared to dusting оr baiting. The author wіll discuss аll options іn thіѕ article, explain hоw tо dо thе work аnd thеn recommend thе products necessary.
GOOD SILVERFISH SPRAY
If уоu hаvе silverfish аrоund thе оutѕіdе оf thе home аnd occasionally оnе gеtѕ inside, perimeter treatments mау stop them. Thе bеѕt formulation fоr silverfish іѕ BITHOR. Thіѕ concentrate іѕ easy tо work with. It mixes readily wіth water, has no odor аnd wіll lаѕt а month оr mоrе реr application. It works wеll оn а variety оf pests but іѕ раrtісulаrlу effective аgаіnѕt silverfish. This is true because it incorporates two actives. The first one will “aggravate” and flush out silverfish in the area. This will cause them to move through the treatment and in turn, die quickly.
Bithor is odorless and safe enough to be sprayed on carpets and even furniture.
The following “short video” (less than 60 seconds long) summarizes why Bithor is such a good option for Silverfish and other pests in the home.
After a day this active wears away and the second active takes over. Its non-repellent which means silverfish and other pests won’t know its even there. This means they’ll readily walk over it, pick up a lethal dose and die and not avoid where you spray.
What makes Bithor extra special is that you can “mist” it out over walls and even ceilings using our MINI MISTER (check below, just under the Bithor pic). So if you see them wandering around on walls or ceilings, watch the video below showing the Mini Mister in action. As you’ll see, its perfect for these surfaces so you can get them treated without making a mess or staining them.
Concentrate the treatment аlоng foundation walls and make sure to reach expand the coverage to a good twо оr thrее foot band. Use a good PUMP SPRAYER tо dо thе application. If уоu аrе finding ѕоmе іnѕіdе treat inside living areas like baseboards or even carpeting, under furniture and other areas silverfish like to hide.
Concentrate оn baseboards whеn spraying low. If thе activity іѕ located uр high, уоu mау соnѕіdеr tаkіng ѕоmе оf thе finished spray аnd applying іt to crown moldings, аrоund light fixtures аnd оthеr places nеаr thе ceiling bу uѕіng а paint brush. Thіѕ type оf application wіll enable уоu tо kеер thе material frоm making а mess whісh іѕ whаt wоuld happen іf уоu trіеd spraying іt uр high.
Mix 1 oz per gallon of water; apply the mixed gallon over 1000 sq/ft of area. Retreat once a month.
The best way to apply Bithor in the home is with our MINI MISTER.
Check our this short video which shows how the Mini Mister can really help.
As you can see, the Mini Mister will create a super light “aerosol” mist so you can spray walls and even ceiling without making a mess or leaving a stain. When done properly, you won’t detect the spray is present BUT it will control any silverfish walking around.
Its also great for spraying baseboards, furniture, under appliances, etc.
A regular PUMP SPRAYER can also be used; ours is low cost but the nozzle lets you create a super light mist to avoid over spray.
If thе infestation іѕ раѕt thе point оf hаvіng аn occasional invader, уоu wіll nееd tо dо mоrе thаn јuѕt spraying. In mоѕt cases, silverfish wіll move undеr wood аnd vinyl siding. Onсе established, thеу wіll move іntо thе attic. Thеу lіkе tо nestle dоwn undеr thе insulation аnd wіll infest storage boxes аѕ well. Frоm thеrе thеу wіll move іntо living areas. Tо deal wіth thеѕе infestations, уоu wіll achieve bеttеr results bу dusting оr baiting.
HOW TO KEEP SILVERFISH OUT OF THE HOUSE
XEMPT DUST is a silica based material thаt works аѕ а desiccant оn insects. Silverfish саnnоt live whеrе іt іѕ applied.
Xempt D features two qualities that make it more efficient compared to ordinary insecticide dusts.
First, like insecticide dusts, it will agitate insects and force them to leave the dusted area or else they will die. And once they start moving, if they have dust on them they will die by dehydration.
Directly treated pests will succumb to the dust within a day BUT even as the active ingredient wears off in 1-2 months, the remaining base ingredient will keep working by making pests uncomfortable. So where ordinary dusts break down after 1-2 months and have no way of impacting pests, Xempt’s base lasts and keeps active by retaining its dehydrating feature.
The second most important part of this feature is that Xempt D CAN GET WET BUT WILL STILL WORK! This makes it quite unique and why its so well suited for both dry AND moist environments. The only way it won’t keep working is if you have water moving which causes it to wash away. But when left in place? Xempt dust will keep working!
Use Xempt undеr house siding, in any route оf entry, storage boxes, light fixtures, electric outlets аnd broadcast іt thrоughоut thе attic.
The following short video (less than 60 seconds long) shows how to dust behind your homes siding if you have vinyl, aluminum or wood shakes.
Thе great thіng аbоut Xempt іѕ thаt whеre уоu apply it, silverfish, аѕ wеll аѕ аnу other insect, саnnоt live. Thіѕ means а thorough process оf nest site elimination can be achieved. Basically if уоu knоw уоu treated а сеrtаіn area уеt уоu ѕtіll аrе ѕееіng activity, уоu muѕt hаvе missed а void оr nest sight.
Use оur HAND DUSTER to apply Xempt. This tools dо а great job оf gеttіng thе dust whеrе іt nееdѕ tо bе аnd will avoid bоth waste аnd thе mess thаt gоеѕ wіth applying mоѕt аnу dust.
HOW TO TREAT POINTS OF ENTRY LIKE AIR VENTS, LIGHT FIXTURES AND ELECTRIC OUTLET COVERS
Xempt dust іѕ arguably thе bеѕt tool whеn dealing wіth silverfish іn apartments. Thеѕе buildings аrе notorious fоr silverfish infestations аnd populations commonly live uр іn attic spaces nеаr thе roof. Unfоrtunаtеlу fоr thе residents, migrating silverfish wіll kеер coming іntо thеіr living space nо matter whаt thеу spray. But Xempt wіll solve thе problem by excluding them and blocking their route of entry.
Using Xempt dust аnd the hand duster listed above, simply apply ѕоmе tо еvеrу route оf entry іntо уоur apartment thаt silverfish wіll use. Key access points wіll bе thrоugh light fixtures, switch plate covers, light switch covers, crown molding uр bу thе ceiling, radiators аnd air vents.
The following short video (less than 60 seconds) shows how to make these applications.
Anу оf thеѕе locations wіll funnel foraging silverfish оut іntо thе open areas оf thе apartment lіkе walls аnd ceilings. But silverfish hate Xempt and will move away. Retreat every 6-12 months to make sure the treatment remains active. Especially in moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens.
HOW TO TREAT THE WALLS AND CEILING
Since silverfish are most likely to enter rooms through air vents and light fixtures, treating walls and ceilings is usually needed. Unfortunately liquid spraying isn’t practical since it can be messy. But there are two options which work great.
First, the MINI MISTER seen above pumping BITHOR is perfect for both walls and ceilings. It goes on so light, it won’t make a mess.
The second option is MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER. Its odorless, goes on super light when used properly and like the Bithor in water, won’t stain walls or ceilings.
Spray all walls and ceilings as demonstrated in this video:
As you can see in the video, you don’t need to over do the treatment. Lightly mist the areas focusing “around” the points of entry like air vents for heating/air conditioning as well as light fixtures.
HOW TO TREAT SILVERFISH COMING FROM AN ATTIC
If уоu hаvе large attic оr crawl space tо treat wіth Xempt using оur DUSTIN MIZER fоr the job. Thе Dustin Mizer enables уоu tо apply Xempt tо large open areas bу simply turning thе crank handle.
The following video shows how to use the Dustin Mizer to treat an attic space.
If уоu nееd tо gеt іt оut оvеr а vast area, turn іt hard. It wіll propel еіthеr material 20 tо 25 feet.
BEST SILVERFISH TRAPS
Once уоu treat, give іt time tо tаkе effect. This will usually be a good 1-2 weeks.
If thе nest site wаѕ іn thе living areas, the Xempt will have solved it for good. But if thе silverfish аrе originating frоm attics оr walls аnd уоu needed tо dust, іt mау tаkе а lіttlе longer tо gеt thе results уоu want. At least for all invasions to cease.
During this time, yоu mау find installing SILVERFISH TRAPS tо bе helpful. Thеѕе work аrоund thе clock аnd wіll catch silverfish whісh оthеrwіѕе wоuld tаkе а lot longer tо kill.
Traps ѕhоuld bе installed іn аnу room where уоu еіthеr ѕаw previous activity оr whеrе уоu wаnt tо mаkе ѕurе nо activity exists. Prime locations fоr trap placement include bookcases, wall units, cabinets, TV cases, pantries, medicine cabinets, closets, filing cabinets оr аnу оthеr place whеrе activity hаѕ bееn observed. Change thеm еvеrу 3 months аnd inspect thеm еvеrу couple оf weeks. If уоu аrе ѕtіll catching silverfish іn areas thаt wеrе treated, уоu knоw furthеr treatment іѕ needed.
The following short video (less than 60 seconds) shows why this trap is so effective on silverfish.
Our traps feature a special “high moisture” glue which foraging silverfish will find, enter and get stuck. Replace traps every 3 months when insects are active; sooner if theyf fill up. Traps can remain active for up to 3-6 months.
Silverfish саn bесоmе а pest іnѕіdе thе home. Uѕе Bithor tо kеер thеm off and out of the home. If thеу’re already inside, uѕе Xempt dust fоr quick control at points of entry to exclude them from living spaces. Lastly, install some of our baited silverfish traps to round up any who miss the treatments.
CONTACT US
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Max says
Need help. I have silverfish in my bathroom. They’re disgusting.
Tech Support says
@Max: Get some of the Dust mentioned above and apply it with a Hand Duster to all the spaces where silverfish can enter your bathroom. They love to live in attics and wall voids and they need moisture. That means if you have routes of entry that aren’t treated with a repelling dust, they’ll keep coming. And since you can’t spray, bait or use traps in a bathroom effectively, your only weapon is to take away their ports of entry. And to accomplish this, you’ll need Dust. Links to these are above in the article.
Kristen says
Need Help. Found one in my bed. Have had a couple the past 6 months. I live on top of floor of 3 story apartment. What do i do to get rid of them besides call maintence?
Tech Support says
@Kristen: There are two things that can help and one thing that can solve the problem. First, set out Silverfish Traps in any room you’ve seen activity. Second, if the problem is in one room only, set out some Scatter Bait along with traps. Third, and the one treatment that can solve the problem, is to dust all routes of entry with Dust. Silverfish will not walk anywhere close to it. So if you apply some to all the entry points, you can effectively keep them out. Treatments done right can last a year or more. Links to all these products are above for more info.
David says
How long do you have to wait for it to be safe to re-enter the house after spraying??
Tech Support says
@David: This will vary from product to product and where you’re spraying but here’s a general guideline:
1) When spraying outside in open air spaces, people and pets can re enter as soon as the treatment dries. So if you were treating the foundation and lawn, expect it to take 1-2 hours at most to dry unless it’s very humid.
2) When treating attics, crawl spaces or wall voids with a dust or bait, people can remain in living spaces since the treatment won’t be in these areas and in theory, there should be no exposure to them.
3) Now for living spaces like the living room, bedroom or bathroom, you would want to keep people and pets out until the treatment dissipates and all surfaces are dry. Usually during the winter, this will happen in less than an hour. But again, if it’s humid and damp, odors can linger and surfaces can remain wet for extended periods of time. So if you note either of these conditions (lingering odor and/or wet surfaces), keep children and pets off and away from these areas till they dry and the odor is gone.
4) Worth noting is that when bait or traps listed above in our article are set out, there is really no wait time involved since these pose no direct hazard to people like aerosols, dusts or liquids.
Additionally, it’s important to understand (as our article points out) that when it comes to controlling a silverfish problem, it’s paramount to get them where they’re nesting. And since this is usually in attics, wall spaces and other areas besides living spaces, the need to “spray” in the living space should be minimal. This means there shouldn’t be a big need to displace people or pets for any extended length of time if you were treating properly for this pest.
For a more thorough explanation on what you need to do safety wise regarding our products, you should review our safety video’s. These do a great job explaining how to safely handle, apply and store all the products we carry. These can be seen here:
Safety Videos: https://bugspray.com/safety-first-videos
Rachel says
I found one silverfish dead inside of my bathtub. I’m moving into this townhouse apartment tomorrow and now I’m kind of freaked out. It was in the upstairs bathroom. I looked around the bathroom with the flashlight and it appears that there is a bit of water damage under the sink (these places were built in the 70’s)…I checked for leaks and it seems like they have been repaired, but is the damaged wood going to be a food source for them? Also, if I saw ONE silverfish, does it mean that I will have a full blown infestation?
Tech Support says
If you review our article above, you’ll learn silverfish will randomly forage into living spaces when wall voids and attic spaces become heavily infested. So it’s not likely you’ll have anything major develop in your apartment. But as long as the areas around your apartment are keeping a thriving silverfish population, some will be foraging into nearby units (like yours) on a regular basis much in the same way that you just noticed.
The good news is that if you treat the way we describe above with some Dust, you can effectively keep them at bay and out of your unit altogether. As our article explains, merely spraying your apartment will not help. But applying the dust to all routes of entry will effectively put in place a line of defense over which the silverfish will not want to walk. It’s very effective and can keep them out for good. Yeah, it will require a little work to get it done but the good news is treatments will last a year or more and they will work on every pest including roaches.
Kim says
We do not have an attic, we live in an all-brick home and I am seeing silverfish in both bathrooms (tub, floor and on sink), and the kitchen (on counter top/stove). We do have an unfinished basement that leaks a little when it rains along an outside wall. Is this where they are coming from? My neighbor and husband both think they are coming from the drain pipes, but after reading your article, it confirmed what I already suspected – they are NOT coming from the pipes, but from somewhere else. We have a flat, tar-based (I think that’s right) roof that was resurfaced in 2010 I think, so it’s a relatively new roof.
Tech Support says
The silverfish you’re seeing have nothing to do with any leak in the basement. As explained in our article, silverfish thrive under siding, tiles and roof decks. From there they’ll migrate into attics and wall voids and ultimately into living spaces.
In your case, they’re no doubt using the electric lines or drain lines to move around the home. Mind you they’re not “inside” these conduits but rather they’re walking on the outside of the pipes and wires moving to where the pipes and wires exit in your kitchen and bathrooms. So how do you stop the invasion?
The easy fix is to dust hitting all entry points in the areas where they’re seen. Dust will stop them from entering and should keep them out. But if they’re nesting on the home and their populations keep getting bigger and bigger, I’m afraid they’ll find another way in unless you eliminate the source. So dusting the kitchen and bathrooms will stop them from appearing but it’s not likely that this alone will solve the nesting problem.
https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
So how do you solve the problem? This will involve more detective work but it can be done.
Now since you don’t have an angled, flat asphalt tiled roof like most homes, my guess is they’re most likely in the decking under the tar. At some point you must have had a leak or at least a route of entry (or a crack) which allowed some silverfish to enter and get on the home to nest. From there they’ve probably thrived and now they’ve reached a population level to where some are foraging out and into the home.
So if it’s at all possible, I suggest you get on the roof and dust there as well since this will many times locate a hot spot (nest) that could be the cause for all the problems. If not the roof, my second guess would be around the gutters, where they mount to the roof and just behind them. I’ve worked on many homes that in fact had silverfish living around the gutters and once we got those nests, the activity inside ceased. Using the Dust and a Hand Duster is all we needed to do the job right and though it was a tedious job to do, well worth the effort.
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
angela says
We just moved into this house about 2 weeks ago. This morning cleaning the kitchen table, I moved the mail (which I picked up last night from an outdoor delivery site where it was in the box for at least a week) and I saw a silverfish less than a centimeter long. Really hoping I brought it in with the mail; what are the chances?? Also, after reading the article and previous posts, I’m recalling my daughter saying she smelled an earthy smell from around the kitchen sink…That’s not good right??…eewwwww..I’m so paranoid I’m going to give the kids a bowl of bugs for breakfast when I get them their cereal…I don’t like bugs. I have 3 young kids and a puppy so any remedy for this will have to be safe..and quick
Tech Support says
It is entirely possible the silverfish came in with the mail. Since silverfish are both drawn to paper products and can live on the glue and cellulose alone, envelopes and mail bins are commonly found to host silverfish. This means the one you saw could have come from where the mail had been held or even before that location.
That being said, I wouldn’t sit by idly. Setting out some Silverfish Traps would be smart, easy and pose no hazard to anyone. This way if the traps start capturing silverfish, you’ll know there is a problem that needs to be treated before it gets out of hand.
Here is a link to this item in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
Stephen Chambers says
This summer our silverfish problem has grown into a huge ordeal!! I see at least 4 to 5 silverfish crawling on our fireplace and at least one or two in the kitchen or bathrooms. I am very frustrated and just plain disgusted. In addition, we have wooden shingles on our roof. My guess is these do not help. Do you suggest bombing the attic?
Tech Support says
I never recommend bombing the home for several reasons. The most obvious is that very few if any pests are out in the open where total release aerosol’s spew all their product. So in the end, 99.9% of the product applied is wasted. This means you’re spending time and energy using something that won’t help. And when it comes to silverfish, this is extra true because of where they tend to hide and nest.
Now what will work is the recommended treatments listed above. And in particular, the Dust. I’ve handled many silverfish problems in homes that had infested siding and roofing. And for some reason, silverfish tend to love wooden roofing so I strongly urge you to get on it and dust it with the Dust we have listed. No doubt this will take some time and effort. But getting them where they nest is critical to solving silverfish invasions. Use a hand duster to apply it and work each and every shingle by puffing 1-2 shots up under it as you move over the entire surface of your roof.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Now if you have any kind of siding like masonite or cedar shakes, you’ll need to treat under it too so there is a good chance you’ll need to treat all sides of the home as well as the roofing. This is a common nest site for silverfish and once these locations get infested, it’s just a matter of time before they start migrating inside.
As for the inside of the home; dust the attic with the Dust and use a Dustin Mizer for this application. Dust in the attic will last 6-12 months no problem and work 1000 times better than any kind of aerosol.
Dustin Mizer: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/dustin-mizerdeflector
Lastly, use the Dust to treat all the switch plate electric outlet covers, light fixtures and around the air vents in any room so you will effectively prevent them from entering your living spaces. Silverfish hate Dust and will avoid it at all costs. Using it as a barrier is very effective and will no doubt help. I also suggest setting out Silverfish Traps throughout the home to help catch any that do get inside and to help monitor the local activity.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
joe says
My apartment has hardwood floors with trims so there are cracks between the trim and the floor and between the trim and the wall. I’ve seen silverfish running into and out of the cracks so thought that they are from inside the apartment when I first moved in three years ago. So I got some diatomaceous earth and filled all the cracks with it.
After having some reservation, I now believe they are coming from the hallway which is carpeted. Because after (I don’t know how long) I sprayed some ant killer outside my door on the carpet, I found dead silverfish out there. However, once in a while, I still see some silverfish in different sizes crawling around. It specifically concerns me when I see some baby ones which means they are multiplying!!! What would be best to use on carpets so that it kills the silverfish and stops them coming in my apartment? Please help!! Thanks.
Tech Support says
First and foremost, make sure what you’re finding is in fact silverfish. We have many customers confuse them with German Roaches and when someone says they’re seeing “baby” silverfish, that’s a clue that in fact what you have are roaches. Also, it’s pretty rare to see baby silverfish.
To read up more on German Roaches, go here:
Roach Control: https://bugspray.com/article/germanroaches
Now if in fact you are seeing silverfish, here’s what you do.
Forget the DE. Instead, get the Dust listed above in our article and apply it to all the same places you treated with the DE dust. But the Dust should also be applied to the electric outlets, under switch plate covers, into light fixtures and basically any crack or crevice you can find that might be providing some kind of shelter.
Just so you know, Dust is at least 10 times better than DE dust. The best way to understand the difference is to compare the two. Basically Dust would be like a 12 gauge shotgun and the DE would be like a 22 pistol.
Now if you were to stand 30 feet away from a wall and were to shoot it with the pistol (DE dust), you’d make a small hole. But with the shotgun (Dust), you’d have pellets all over the place in an area that’s a lot larger. This area might be 1-2 feet wide at least. Maybe even bigger.
Well, that’s how Xempt Dust works compared to DE. Basically it covers a lot larger of an area and with the DE, you can easily miss a key location. So put the DE aside and go with the good stuff. With silverfish (and roaches), Dust is very much needed and the preferred product because it will work so much better.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Now I also suggest you go outside your apartment and treat the hallway cracks and crevices too. Next, you should spray the carpeting (the entire carpet) with the Bithor listed above. Since roaches and silverfish like to migrate and stay on the move, by treating the carpet you’ll be preventing them access via this common area.
https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/bithor_sc
Lastly, I suggest you set out some Silverfish Traps throughout your apartment. These will help monitor activity so you can pinpoint any activity you might be missing. I suspect there is at least one other location in your apartment which is being missed and these traps will help isolate such a location.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
joe says
Thank you very much for the quick response and the information. It’s very informative and helpful. This is exactly what I need then…something strong and powerful!
Tera says
I have been seeing a lot of silverfish in my bedroom. We have sprayed and cleaned and done everything. I am at my wits end and I’m killing about 3-6 a day and I’m really stressed and disgusted. I don’t know what to do. Please help. I have no attic nor do I have a basement.
Tech Support says
Cleaning won’t help and in fact, it will only cause them to disperse and in the end, spread. To solve the problem, identifying the main nest site can really help. In most cases, they’ll be coming in from outside. Silverfish love living up under roof shingles and exterior siding. From there they’ll migrate inside. This will most likely happen during the summer so be sure to look there.
But regardless of where they’re nesting, there are two treatments that will get them one way or the other.
The first is to do extensive dusting. The Xempt Dust listed above should be applied up under the roof shingles as well as around windows and any type of house siding if present. Common siding that silverfish love include masonite, aluminum and plastic. Expect to use several lbs of Dust to insure complete coverage but in my experience, taking the time to treat any house siding and roofing can go a long way in cleaning up the problem.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Dust should also be used inside any room to “keep out” silverfish that are foraging. Apply it to electric outlets, light fixtures and any route of entry you suspect they might be using.
Next, the interior rooms that are seeing silverfish should be treated along their baseboards and window frames with FS MP and Multipurpose Aerosol. I use it along my baseboards for spider control and I have wood floors yet you cannot tell anything has been applied when used properly in the cracks. And the Multipurpose is water based and so it dries clear with no residue when used properly.
FS MP: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/fs-mp-insecticide-15-oz-aerosol
Multipurpose: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/aerosol/multi-purpose-insect-killer-10-oz
Lastly, set out some Silverfish Traps in any room with activity. They’ll help by catching any foraging around and alerting you to a problem area you may have missed.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
jen says
Hi,
I’m moving out of a rented apartment that has silverfish in the kitchen, bathroom and bedrooms and finally hallway. I’m scared I’m going to move them with me. I have a lot of clothes and my mattress and base which has been on the ground. How can I avoid them moving with me, particularly with my mattress, bases and clothes etc? Thanks for your help.
Tech Support says
When a living space has a pest like roaches, silverfish, weevils, etc. and then the occupant up and moves, there is always a risk of transporting some of the unwanted guest along with their clothing, boxes, etc. To avoid this from happening, you should do as much pretreating as possible. Here’s a quick check list of ways to insure these silverfish don’t hitch a ride and infest your new home.
First, treat the open and vacant spaces where you’re moving. Use the Bithor listed above to spray down baseboards, exposed carpeting, etc. This will not only put in place a barrier that will kill any insects you bring but it will also kill off any insects currently living in the new home. And since the best time to treat any space is when it’s open and vacant, doing this before you move in would be ideal.
Bithor: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/bithor_sc
Second, treat any furniture, mattresses and other inanimate objects where silverfish or other pests were seen using an aerosol called Topia. This product is a federally exempt aerosol because it’s so safe and can be used on mattresses and other areas where people and pets frequent safely.
Topia: https://bugspray.com/exempt/aerosol/topia-exempt-aerosol-17-oz
Lastly, set out some Silverfish Traps throughout the new home. These will help because they’ll help to collect any pests you have or carried with you and in doing so, alert you to the presence of a problem or potential problem. So if they start collecting silverfish, it will mean you might need to treat some more or treat somewhere you initially missed.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
Lindsey says
I live in southern cali in a stucco house built on a slab. I started noticing silverfish in my home about a week after pest control came and sprayed Suspend for an argentine ant infestation. I’ve found about 10 silverfish in about a week. But after looking around I’m realizing there are a few in most of our light fixtures. Do they get stuck in there?
Most other insects I’ve seen are dead or hardly able to move but a few silverfish are still moving. Am I seeing more because the house was sprayed and now they are slow and don’t hide as quickly as they used to?
Is it possible that they enter after it rains? A friend said they recently noticed them and thought that was why? It hadn’t rained for months until recently.
Also I’ve read that they prefer humidity. We constantly run the AC so the house is a temp they would like but humidity is pretty low so why would they want to live here?
Lastly, I read above that you say it’s unusual to see baby silverfish. I believe I have but do German cockroaches squish like silverfish? Clearly this house that we rent has lots of entrances! Thank you for your help with my many questions!
Tech Support says
Silverfish will definitely get stuck in light fixtures. As explained in our article above, they love to live in ceiling voids and from there roam into living spaces. It’s when they roam that some will get them caught in places like light fixtures so what you’re seeing is indicative of an infestation that will require void dusting with the Xempt Dust we have listed above.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
If the silverfish and other pests were living in the areas which were sprayed, seeing increased activity following a treatment would be normal and to be expected. Now in most cases this will stop happening after 1 week and if it’s still happening after 2 weeks, I’d spray as much of the home as possible again with the Bithor listed above. Since silverfish will readily live and nest on home siding and roofing, it’s important you treat the entire exterior of the home to eliminate these nest sites.
Bithor: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/bithor_sc
Rain and high humidity alone won’t cause them to “enter” but water in general allows them to thrive and populate. So rainfall and high humidity effectively enables them to live happier and healthier lives which in turn will cause more to be seen. But the moisture won’t drive them into the home. In fact, dry conditions are more likely to send them foraging which will lead to some getting into living areas.
Baby roaches are indeed very much like baby silverfish in how they look and how they squish.
In summary, you no doubt have a lot of insects in and around your home. I suggest you get on a regular spraying routine. I also suggest you treat every void possible with Dust as this will really help. As explained above, Xempt lasts 6-12 months so you won’t have to use it much but it can really help a lot. Lastly, set out some Silverfish Traps to help monitor the problem.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
Quinn says
Hi,
I’ve read all the info and the comments, but I’m still kind of unsure as how to handle my problem.
I’m living in a condo and have a pretty bad silverfish infestation (in my opinion). I see them every day pretty much any time I go into the kitchen or bathroom. All day too. I know you said they only come out at night, but I think because there are only windows on the outer wall, it’s pretty dark in the kitchen and bathroom being on the hallway side. I’m positive they are silverfish too. Occasionally I will find one in the bedroom and other bathroom, but not daily like the other places mentioned. My roommate is sort of a disaster when it comes to keeping her bathroom (the one by the kitchen) dry. And after a year of telling her to not leave water everywhere, and crumbs everywhere, I’m pretty sure it won’t stop. So we are a food bank for these things! I’m also living in Vancouver and it’s just wet and humid here. There really isn’t much I can do about that. And with condos on on both sides and below and above me, it’s warm all the time.
I can’t tell exactly where they are coming in from. I’ve seen them come out of the washer/dryer closet, from under the baseboards, from the hallway, from another closet, from the bathroom. All being located in the same area kitchen/entrance/bathroom. Very small place. They seem to come from everywhere. They are so common, my cat doesn’t even go after them anymore. I haven’t found them UP on anything yet though. Obviously the entire building probably has them as I suspected and then your article confirmed.
My number one concern is my cat. He WILL eat things he isn’t supposed to and that normal cats don’t. I’ve taken plastic bags out of his mouth. He’s a freak. 🙂 But I love him and I’d rather live with silverfish than do anything to harm him. And I have nowhere to take him if he can’t be around things for a certain period of time. I mean I could lock him in a room and do another room if that would work. So I’m wondering if the Dust would be a problem as far as his safety is concerned?
Also, you mentioned to somebody to spray the carpet in their hallway with the DH. Because of strict condo regulations, I can’t cover the hallway carpet with anything. I can’t rip baseboards off and get behind them without pre-approval. Would I have to remove baseboards? Is it possible they are IN the walls?
I also read about the Scatter Bait. Why wouldn’t I opt for this solution on it’s own since it was stated that it’s safe for pets? On the other end of that, wouldn’t it just draw more of them into my condo? I realize it would kill them, but would I end up with tons of silverfish coming into my condo for their suicide powder?
Anyway, thanks for all the info on your site. Truly the best source I’ve found and I’ve been looking for sometime now.
Tech Support says
First, have you compared German Roaches to what you’re seeing? I ask because they will be active all day, love human food and will live in the areas you’re describing. They love “low” places like baseboards, live in appliances and will readily focus on the rooms you mentioned.
Silverfish are definitely nocturnal only and in general, so too are roaches. But of the two, roaches are more likely to “come out” during the day way before silverfish. And they love people food. I mention this because silverfish in general have no interest in people food and they don’t “come out” to forage. They’re mostly cellulose consumers; wood, paper, insulation, etc. which is why they typically live in wall voids.
Also, silverfish only forage “out” when their populations get so big in the wall/ceiling voids that they’re “spilling” out into living spaces so they don’t generally make a habit of foraging out into any one room all the time looking for food which you describe.
I know you say you’re certain the pest you have are silverfish but I just feel I have to ask since roaches and silverfish closely resemble one another and customers commonly confuse the two. More info on roaches can be seen here including a video which will show a roach close up in case you’re not sure what they look like. As you’ll see, they’re very close in color, size, shape and overall look:
Roach Control: https://bugspray.com/article/germanroaches
Now if in fact you have roaches, the Roach Gel featured in the article link above will take care of them and won’t pose any kind of hazard to you or your pet – even if the pet ate some.
But if you’re 100% sure they’re silverfish, then go with the Dust, Scatter Bait and Silverfish Traps featured in our article above. A combination of all three can be used to solve any kind of silverfish problem and this can be accomplished without undue hazard to you or your pet.
You see, Dust can’t harm people or pets when used properly – even if ingested. In fact it used to have “pet application” on it’s label and I’ve used it many times on cats and dogs for flea powder. It’s fast acting (works as a dessicant) and is neutralized by water. So even if your pet “licked” some, the only thing that would happen is that the Dust would be neutralized by the cats saliva. And in cases where I’ve seen that happen, most pets stop licking it since it causes your mouth to go dry. I know cause I’ve actually eaten it. Many times. It’s a similar sensation one feels when mixing up cement or using too much baby powder in a babies diaper. It might make the pet or person sneeze but again, our internal fluids neutralize the intake making it harmless so there is really no risk when using it in wall voids, ceiling spaces, behind electric switch plate covers, around light fixtures, etc.
More importantly, if you apply it to every void in your condo, you can effectively take away insect nest sites without posing any hazard to you or your pet since the Dust will be in the wall void and not out in the open. That means there won’t be any chance for an exposure anyway if you use it correctly.
And as explained above, silverfish (and roaches) flat out hate Dust so they will avoid any place it’s been applied. That means in theory you can take away all their nests sites by dusting these voids one at a time.
Lastly, Xempt Dust used inside the home can last 6-12 months easily so the other huge benefit of using it is that treatments last so long and in any apartment/condo environment, this is important. It’s basically the only “fence” or barrier you can put in place that can effectively keep out all kinds of pests no matter what’s going on alongside, above or below your unit.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Now in the living spaces, you should definitely sprinkle Scatter Bait. And since it will work on both silverfish and roaches, whatever you have you’ll be covered. Scatter Bait uses a starch attractant – much like that found in wood products – which roaches, ants, crickets and silverfish like to eat so it will no doubt attract their attention. And if the cat should eat any, it would be a mute point since Scatter Bait can’t affect people or pets if ingested. In fact most all insect baits can’t hurt people or pets anymore by design; mammals just process Scatter Bait like any other food if some is orally consumed.
Lastly, setting out silverfish traps will no doubt help too. Besides trapping out the ones that want to actively forage, the traps will help you identify population density throughout your condo. This in turn will enable you to make sure you’re treating the right areas. In about half the cases where traps are used we find the target pests are grouped in locations above and beyond what was originally thought to be the problem areas. And once you start catching them, you’ll be able to better treat these important areas.
Here is a link to this item in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
Dave Whittaker says
I have a two story holiday house which is an all brick construction. The second level floor is a rib and block design so there are natural cavities in the floor. The external walls are all double skin cavity walls. The roof is an open beam construction with a thatch grass covering. We have silverfish living on the second floor dropping from the roof into the bath, basin, floor, beds etc. This past weekend we sprayed the thatch as best we could with contact poison. What ensued was a shower of silverfish falling from the roof.
Tech Support says
Not a surprise. As explained above in our article, silverfish will thrive on many natural fibers including those routinely found in thatch. In fact, there are many types of insects that will thrive in such material and once they’re nesting in the thatch roof, it’s just a matter of time before they start migrating into the home.
To avoid that from happening, I suggest you spray the thatch with some Bithor on a regular basis. I would say that 1 gallon per 500 sq/ft of surface area will do the job. Do this every month of the year where the temperatures are 50 degrees or more on average. This will make the thatch “unlivable” by any insect pest.
Bithor: https://bugspray.com/catalog/insecticide/liquid/bithor_sc
I also suggest you dust the “natural cavities” you mentioned with some Xempt Dust. This application will last a lot longer than the spray; I expect it will last 12 months per application. And anywhere it’s applied silverfish won’t be able to live so it’s a good way to get extra protection from this pest inside the home.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Quinn says
Thanks for the response!
I’m sending you a picture of what I’m seeing. For me, they look like silverfish to me. And they definitely come out during the day. Yes, they are more active at night, but I see them during the day as well. I don’t know that they are forging for food. I just know there is food crumbs around on the ground daily (before I clean it up). The life of having a roommate. And there is always water on her bathroom floor. Always. I don’t go in there to clean that up.
If the Dust works so well, then can I ask why I would set traps and do the Scatter Bait as well? And maybe I’m reading this wrong, but it looks like you put the Dust and the Scatter Bait in the same places.
Also, as I mentioned, I can’t really get behind the baseboards. I mean I could shoot a little under the very edge of them, but in some areas, the board is flush to the ground.
Thanks again.
Tech Support says
Definitely silverfish! And would you mind if I posted this picture above, in our article? It’s a great closeup of this pest and I know it would be helpful to others who are not 100% of what they’re seeing.
As for your problem; you are spot on about the Xempt Dust . In fact it does work so well that in theory, it’s the only thing one should ever need. But the one limitation of Dust is that one must get it “where it matters”. And in this case, I’m certain this location is somewhere in a wall void. I can’t say which one (could be all of them) but if you’re not willing to drill some access holes to treat these areas, I don’t think you’ll be able to solve the problem.
Additionally, I’m certain the moisture you mention is a big part of the problem. You see, silverfish need moisture and many times will be drawn to any room in the house which has high humidity levels. For this reason bathrooms are a what we call “silverfish magnets”. And based on the amount of moisture you describe, I’m afraid there are many areas in your apartment which are luring silverfish and this just makes it that much more difficult to isolate which walls could be the main nest site.
So here’s what I suggest. Based on the activity level, I’m fairly sure the silverfish are nesting in at least 1 if not several wall voids. And from there they are coming out seeking moisture which appears to be abundant in your living space. This means using Scatter Bait or any spray out in the open won’t really solve the problem because if you don’t get them in the wall voids, they’ll just keep reproducing and reappearing regardless of what you do out in the open.
And with that being established, you must now decide if you’re willing to drill access holes through which the Dust can be applied or if you’re just going to endure the infestation because in the end, the only proven way to dispel of this pest is to get them where they’re nesting.
Give us a call if you need more help in deciding whether to treat or not. We should be able to offer some tips on how to do the treatment and maybe explain it better on the phone so you can tackle the job with confidence. No doubt it will involve a little bit of work but in the end, I’m certain you can knock them out if you get every area where they might be hiding.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Quinn says
Sure, feel free to post the picture. Though I should have swept before capturing. haha. They seem to really migrate toward the kitty litter (which is where that shot is from). Would pine pellets be a food source for them?
Drilling is a bit of a problem as this is a condo with very strict rules. My roommate is the owner, not me. But I know she hates them as much as I do. Probably more since they are in her bathroom. However, not enough to curb the bad water behavior I suppose. But what do you mean by drilling? I haven’t read anything like that on your site.
I’ve always thought they were in the walls actually. Their favorite location is in the hall closet (where the litter is). Part of it was carpeted and the other half tiled. I actually pulled the carpet out because it was all frayed when we moved in and we always found it weird anyway. So now that half is the concrete floor I can see them running for the walls there. But this is an interior wall, surrounded entirely by our space. Not the space of others. The wet bathroom to one side, the hallway in the front and to the other side, and my roommates room on the other. I never go in her room, so I don’t know if they are in there or not.
As I mentioned, I rarely see them on the other side of the condo. Which is my side. But my bathroom is spotless and I never leave anything on the ground and it’s dry. So maybe nothing for them to eat? They really do seem to stick to that small area. Occasionally I’ll see one somewhere else.
I’m definitely wanting to do something about this!!! But I’m feeling like I might not be able to after you mentioned the drilling thing? I’m somewhat limited here in what I’m allowed to do without strata approval and whatnot.
Thanks again for your time! 🙂
Tech Support says
Thanks for letting us use the photo. I’ll get it posted above in the next day.
As for the drilling; here’s the logic. First, you’re right in that drilling isn’t mentioned above. That’s because in most cases the nest is located in the attic or roof so dusting either will solve the problem without the need to make access holes. In these scenario’s, dusting entry points like electric switch plate covers, electric outlets, around air vents, inside light fixtures, etc. are all effective treatments that will stop them from entering. But treating those areas alone will only work if that’s the main nest site.
So in your case, it would seem the nest is actually in a wall void based on where you’re seeing them, how many you’re seeing, the focal point of the activity, etc. And for this reason getting direct access to the wall void would be needed to deliver the dust where it will matter the most.
This means small holes, about 1/4″, will be needed for the hand duster tube to deliver the Dust. If I was treating, I’d drill the holes inside the closet. One hole high on the wall, one low; holes will be needed between every stud. This means the holes would be concealed and if you’re lucky, this will get them where it will help the most.
Now the reason you need two holes is so when the dust is applied, it will permeate throughout the space from top to bottom. And if you treat enough wall voids, you’ll no doubt get them where they’re nesting and starting on the closet walls only makes sense for the reasons I listed above.
Unfortunately I don’t think there will be any other way of resolving the problem because if you don’t get them where they’re nesting, I’m sure there will be a never ending stream of new ones entering your living space indefinitely. So for now, I’d see about persuading the powers to be that this treatment is needed because surface spraying, traps and bait will not get rid of them. These are only good for foraging silverfish when nests are far away and the numbers being reported are small. For you, this is not the case. Clearly the numbers are significant and without getting them where it will matter, I’m afraid the infestation will linger.
Here are links to these items in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Quinn says
Thanks so much! My roommate says she’s willing to risk the holes in the closet so we can at least try to attack from there and see what happens. Though I’m not sure how drilling holes between every stud would keep them concealed?
As I mentioned, I’m in Vancouver. Your site won’t let me mail it here (Canada). I could have it mailed to an address just over the border in Washington, but I’m wondering if whatever this stuff is… if it’s legal to use up in Canada? I wouldn’t want to get caught smuggling. haha. These silverfish are the bane of my existence!!
Tech Support says
Sorry for the confusion on the drilling; what I meant by drilling the holes inside the closet is that they’ll be concealed when the door to the closet is closed. And yes, it will take a lot of holes to get this area treated but remember, they only have to be 1/4″ round and there only needs to be one up high, around the ceiling, and one down low at the baseboard.
As for shipping to Canada; we can’t due to postal shipping limits. But you are perfectly “legal” to use the material in your place of residence and other locations as long as you don’t start up a pest control company and start treating commercially. To do that you’ll have to be registered, licensed, etc. Of course, by the time you get this problem resolved, you’ll be so well versed in controlling silverfish that maybe doing it for a living will be something to consider! lol
Lastly, many people in your situation will have us ship to some location here in the states and then from there get it back home so what you thought of doing is actually a common practice.
Javier says
Hello,
We have been seeing silverfish for the past 2 years. We find them in the bathrooms and bedrooms. I have been in the attic and found them there too (which is where we believe they are coming from). We have sprayed the attic and put packs (which I can tell they eat the paper on it) and they disappear for a while, but then they start coming back. I read the article above and I was thinking about spreading Scatter Bait around the entire attic and see how this works. It seems Scatter Bait is the less expensive and less time consuming option to start. Would you agree with this? What would your recommendation be?
Thanks!
Tech Support says
I feel baiting the attic would be wise. This would help to keep them in the attic area and control them since the Scatter Bait will no doubt attract any insect pest and cause them to feed. This in turn will lead to their demise.
Scatter Bait Fine: https://bugspray.com/bait/granule/scatter-bait
But I would also dust any entry way to rooms with activity with Dust. Yes, it’s more costly compared to using Scatter Bait alone. But Dust is so repellent to silverfish that any entry way dusted would become unusable by silverfish and other pests. This would no doubt keep the treated room silverfish free and in turn, get the Scatterbait to work that much better.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
The Dust should be applied to any light fixtures, electric outlets, switch plate covers and to the exterior of the any duct work that vents into any room where they’re seen. Most of these areas can be treated from the living space but the duct work’s exterior is best treated by lightly dusting it while in the attic space. This insures you’ll get around it thoroughly without getting any inside the duct.
In summary, combining the Scatterbait with the Dust will be the way to go because the Dust will force the silverfish to stay in the attic and this in turn will cause them to feed on the Scatterbait for sure. Good luck!
Maureen says
I’ve been finding silverfish on my bed, usually underneath the covers or under a pillow before I head to bed at night. Where are they coming from? Are they in my mattress? The bottom of the bed is wood (raw pine wood). How do I get rid of them? I have seen them all over the house. At least one a day….do we have an infestation and require professional help?
Tech Support says
You definitely have a problem that needs to be treated. For now, I suggest you read our article above. This will educate you on silverfish and explain where they like to nest, how to treat for them and what the best products are to use. Once you learn more about silverfish and the proper treatment methods, you’ll be able to decide if you want to treat the problem yourself or hire a service company to do the work for you.
Now the one thing you’ll learn from our article is that silverfish will generally nest in the attic, wall spaces and other voids around your living areas. You’ll also learn they enter living spaces most commonly during the winter months seeking warmth.
And based on our knowledge of silverfish, you’ll no doubt have to do some treating with Dust. Basically if you dust every entry way into your rooms, you can keep them out. Common entry points include light fixtures, electric outlets, switch plate covers, around vents, around windows, around crown molding and basically any point that leads to the attic or wall void. Dust every space like this you can find with small amounts of Dust and silverfish won’t be able to use these entry ways. This treatment alone can usually reduce if not eliminate all activity inside the living spaces if you do it thoroughly enough.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Now as effective as Dust is at keeping them out, it won’t get them where they’re nesting. So if you want to get to the crux of the problem, you’ll need to treat your attic.
And to treat the attic space, you’ll either have to dust with Dust or bait it with Scatterbait.
In general, using Dust to keep them out of your living spaces and then Scatterbait in the attic is very effective. This is true because silverfish love Scatterbait and once they feed, they’ll die. And when the two products are used like this, you can usually keep the silverfish contained to the attic area with the Dust in place which in turn increases the chances of them finding Scatterbait. And once they find the Scatterbait, they’ll eat some and die.
Scatter Bait: https://bugspray.com/bait/granule/scatter-bait
Lastly, setting out some Silverfish Traps in your living spaces can also help reduce the current level of activity. These traps will help to alert you to problem areas besides your bed as well. And once you learn of any other problem areas, you can focus your treatments there to get faster and more complete results.
Silverfish Traps: https://bugspray.com/traps/glue/silverfish-traps-6-pk
Mike says
Hello! Thank you for all the great information! I have a combination of challenges and I am seeking an opinion. I have noticed silverfish coming out of the long floor vent in my living room. I am hesitant to use the dust mentioned in the vent for concern that when the A/C or heat comes on that it will just blow the dust all over. I do have a pet cat who also tends to lie and sleep by the vent. Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!
Tech Support says
Silverfish (and other insects) cannot live inside the vent work. The air flow in this environment alone (either hot or cold) would dehydrate them and this condition makes it uninhabitable by 99% of all insects including silverfish. That being said, they could very well be coming “out of the vent”. How? Let me explain.
So if you remove the screws that hold the vent cover in place, you’ll find the duct work below is merely attached to the vent cover and the cover essentially holds the duct in place. But there will be gaps between the air duct and the flooring/subflooring. These gaps are where the silverfish (and other insects) will pass and in turn, “come out of the vent”.
Now where they’re traveling from is really the key to solving the problem. So to stop them from entering through these locations, you’ll need to first loosen all the vent covers. Next, you’ll want to dust “sideways” around the space that surrounds the opening. This in turn will enable the Dust to drift “away” from the hole in the flooring.
Lastly, you’ll want to lightly dust the air ducts exterior shell (not inside). Silverfish and other insects will commonly use the exterior siding of any air duct found in the attic, basement or crawl space to travel from one point to another. But if you lightly dust the ducts exterior with Xempt Dust, they won’t be able to walk on it anymore.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
One more thing; identifying where they’re coming from will ultimately solve the issue and prevent more from entering.
So in the space under the flooring (could be a crawl space, a finished or unfinished basement or a slab with the duct work built in), you’ll need to dust as much of it as possible. This in turn will preclude the area as a nest site and in most cases, solve the problem.
Keep in mind that fully 75-90% of the cases we deal with, the silverfish will turn out to have a main nest up under the homes exterior siding and/or roofing so don’t forget to treat these areas too. Getting them at their main nest site will always yield the best overall results; the challenge is identifying where the main nest site is located!
Jen Petrillo says
Should Dust be used along baseboards? The silverfish in our bathroom seem to be coming from under the baseboards. What would be best for that particular area? I plan to use the Dust dust at all other entry points you mention. Also do you recommend sealing holes around pipes under sinks with spray insulation or maybe silicone? Or would it be better to dust inside those areas? Thx!
Tech Support says
In my book, Dust is one of the best products to use for virtually any pest. And whenever I’m able to use it efficiently for a pest problem I have, I go for it. So to answer your question; yes, Dust can be used along your baseboards.
No doubt most any baseboard will have small cracks and crevices enabling pests to enter from wall voids, etc. And a good dusting with Dust will both kill what’s there and prevent them from using the area any more so it’s a good choice for sure.
The only downside to using Dust is that if you vacuum or wash your floors, I’m afraid the Dust won’t last as long as normal so just be aware that normal house cleaning can affect its residual life.
And since it’s more cumbersome to apply compared to using a liquid or aerosol, most people forego the Dust in leu of something easier to use. But again, if you’re willing to go the distance and make sure you’re not removing it everything you clean your home, Dust applied to baseboards would have the potential to last longer than anything else you might apply there so it would well worth the time and effort.
Here are links to these items in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Jen Petrillo says
Another question – I’ve got bugs on the brain!, ugh! I plan to treat our entire house. Some rooms have hardwood, baths have tile, bedrooms have rug. Do I need to treat along the baseboards where there is rug? Can they get into our living space thru there? If so how do I treat those baseboards? A spray?
Tech Support says
As explained in my previous answer; the Dust can be used for these areas. But you could opt to liquid spray if you feel using the Dust would be too cumbersome to use throughout the entire home. Personally, I’d use the Dust . And since you sound like you’re already committed to using it for the bathroom baseboards, why quit there?
Something else to consider. Let’s say the silverfish are in fact nesting just under the baseboard in your bathroom. If they are, the Dust treatment you plan on doing will probably alleviate all activity so you might not have to treat so extensively.
But in our experience, we’ve seen that most silverfish problems start from the homes exterior. So the roofing and siding is where they originate and from there, they’ll move into the attic and then down through wall voids eventually making it into your living spaces. That means treating all entry points from your wall voids makes sense (and it sounds like you’re planning on treating these areas too which is good).
This also means you should not ignore the attic above so if possible, dust it with Dust too. This can have a big positive overall impact and usually is only needed once a year.
So if you’re treating the baseboard in the bathroom and that’s where they’re nesting, my hunch is all activity will cease. But if they’re coming from above (which is most likely what’s happening), chances are high they’ll simply start using another entry point into your living spaces once the bathroom is dusted so if you fail to treat the remaining baseboards in the home, I’m inclined to think they’ll start emerging from one of these untreated areas once they figure out it’s not treated.
But all this could easily be avoided if you just went ahead and dusted as many as you can with the Dust, along with the attic and in turn, be done with it.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
And for the attic, the Dustin Mizer would be the way to go:
Dustin Mizer: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/dustin-mizerdeflector
PShaw says
How do you “dust” an attic? The insulation in our attic looks like it was sprayed in so do we just spray the dust on top?
Also, how do you treat the outside of the home? Do you have to dust under every shingle?
Tech Support says
You are correct on both thoughts. The Dust applied to attics will sit on top of insulation and over time, filter down in to cracks and crevices where it will affect nesting silverfish. Use a Dustin Mizer to apply it to insure complete coverage.
As for the homes exterior; dusting up under shingles every 2-3 feet per 1-2 rows will usually do the job. This might sound tedious but it’s actually quite easy because the dust is like smoke and will permeate throughout the spaces quite well. And this will happen quickly. You’ll actually see it floating around and you’ll usually cover a good 2 sq/ft area per dusting.
Now since it only takes 2-3 puffs from the duster to get the area treated, you’ll be able to move from row to row easily so it won’t take as long as one might imagine.
Also, use a hand duster for areas you can reach from the ground or ladder; a Dustick for areas you can’t access by hand.
Here are links to these items in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and be here to answer your questions and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Dustick: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/dustick
Dustin Mizer: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/dustin-mizerdeflector
PShaw says
Hi,
I am using Dust and have dusted the attic and wall voids in the rooms where we saw silverfish regularly. Our vents are in the ceilings so it is difficult to dust these. Do you have any suggestions in terms of application?
Also, we haven’t seen silverfish in the dusted rooms for several days. Now they are starting to appear in another room. We will dust in there too. But, I’m wondering if this means that we didn’t get the nest in the initial dusting?? What does the nest look like? Our attic is blown full of insulation. It looks like little puffs of fur. Should we be trying to get under the insulation?
Tech Support says
First, no doubt you have an attic related problem that needs to be treated directly. Treating the vents, light fixtures, under switch plate covers, inside electric outlets, etc. will definitely keep them from using these routes of entry. But to stop them for good, you’ll need to get them where they’re nesting. And this is either in the insulation or the roofing above the attic.
Second, there really isn’t a specific “nest” with silverfish. They tend to live alone, in areas which are well suited, and these areas will many times encompass a large area. Like an entire roof or attic space. So there is no magical “spot” you can treat to make the problem go away. Instead, you must treat entire areas using more of a “shotgun” approach.
Now the trick to treating around vent registers is to first remove the vent cover. Once removed, you’ll see the air duct fits into the cutout of the ceiling but that this fit isn’t tight. In fact, there is always a small space between the duct and the ceiling. This is where the silverfish are entering.
In other words, they’re not coming into your living space by traveling inside the ducts; they’re actually outside the duct and when they find the gap where the duct fits into the ceiling, they’re squeezing through these small spaces and appearing in the living space below. Get these entry ways treated by removing the vent covers and applying Dust around through the gaps and you’ll keep them out.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Next, dust your attic with 1-2 lbs of Dust too. Use a Dustin Mizer to get the job done.
Dustin Mizer: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/dustin-mizerdeflector
Lastly, either wait to see if this resolves the problem and if it doesn’t (or if you’re ambitious and want to treat everything anyway), go up to your roof line where it meets the gutters. This is a classic place for silverfish to live. Once there, dust along this line where the gutter attaches to the home. Focus on the soffit, facia board, behind the gutters, under the shingles, etc. and while treating, see if any silverfish flush out.
So if you see 3-5 come out over a 10-20 foot area, that would mean you have a problem that needs direct attention. At that point you should resign yourself to treating as much of the roof as possible.
But if you don’t find any in this area, the problem is most likely limited to the attic and the Dust applied there using the Dustin Mizer should knock them out.
Give us a call if you need more help. Our toll free is 1-800-877-7290 and we’re open 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Mon-Thur; 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Friday and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM Saturday, Eastern Standard Time.
Jonathan
Customer Care
http://www.bugspray.com
PS: Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and be here to answer your questions and keep our web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Kathy says
Hello I think I have quite the infestation. I am pretty positive they are silverfish and attached a picture so you can see. I have had the exterminator here 4 times in the past 6 months with no improvements 🙁 my husband is ready to strangle me lol because he is a manly man and they don’t bother him much but to me they are a huge deal and I am at the point of wanting to move but its not that simple especially since we just bought the house last July and I have a feeling the silverfish came with it! Its a 20 year old 2 story single family home the activity is the worst on the second floor which of course is where my bedroom and bathroom are. I’ve seen them in my bed and I always see them in the bathroom like numerous times a day. I also see a lot of baby ones which makes me even more upset lol cuz I hate to think of how many were born in that “litter”. Lol I know I’m crazy but I just can’t share my home with these things like my husband wants me too. The really bad thing about this house not sure if you ever heard of it but it has a whole house fan so therefore there is no access to the attic cuz the fan is where the entrance would be. I didn’t install it it came with the house! Don’t understand the concept of it but its there and it sucks cuz I have a strong feeling that’s where there coming from. Although I have seen them in pretty much every room in the house including the downstairs rooms the activity is definitely worse upstairs. I just feel I will never get rid of them if I have already had an exterminator here 4 times. Maybe I hired a bad company I don’t know but I can’t live like this much longer.
Silverfish picture: https://bugspray.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/silverfish.jpg
Tech Support says
If you review our article above, you’ll learn that in fact most silverfish infestations come from attics so ultimately, getting the area dusted needs to be done. Now whether you or your service company does the treating, that’s for you to decide. But regardless of the reasons you have for not getting into the space, the bottom line is failure to get the area treated with a dust means you’ll be likely have more and more foraging into your living spaces indefinitely. Of course I can’t say this with 100% certainty but based on the info you provided, its a 98-99% chance that’s where they’re coming from.
Now the one thing you can do to deter the migration is to dust with some Dust. If you apply this dust to all the entry ways into your second floor (mostly these will be in the walls and ceiling), you’ll be able to repel them from entering your living spaces. True, this won’t solve the problem but no doubt it will diminish the amount you’re seeing inside.
And for most people, this will usually be acceptable. Again, whether you or your service company applies the Dust is up to you but use it in electric outlets, under switch plate covers, in light fixtures and around air duct ports to put in place a barrier through which silverfish won’t travel.
More info on this is above in our article here:
https://bugspray.com/articles98/silverfish#silverfish-control-dust
Here are links to these items in our cart. Please show your support for our business by purchasing the items we recommend from the links provided. Remember, this is the only way we can stay around and be here to answer your questions and keep this valuable web site up and running. Thanks for your business!
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Hand Duster: https://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
Bridget says
HI, how are you? I know this article is a few years old as are the responses. I just recently (2 months ago) moved back into apartments i was living at 7 years ago. The rent was easier to be here. There was a silverfish issue back then and it seems there is still. I saw a smaller size in my bathroom sink tonight. This may sound extreme but if i use baby proof plastic plug ins for outlets and put scotch tape around each outlet plate will that help at all? Also does putting the stopper on the bathtub and bathroom sink help? For my kitchen sink there is a garbage disposal so the drain is a little different. I put a red plastic cup in the drain so nothing can get through it. Is there anything new to know about how to get rid of them since this was first answered in this post or is it the same? I would really appreciate any replies. Thank You so much.
Tech Support says
Bridget,
Our articles may have posted years ago but we are constantly updating them. And at this time, everything in our silverfish article above is still very much your best option if you want to control a local problem.
That being said, Dust applied to every route of entry will keep them out of living spaces. And treating wall voids and ceiling spaces will in turn control the problem at its source.
Lastly, attempting to plug up entry points with stoppers or “baby proof plastic plugs” is akin to what one would call an “effort of futility”. The bottom line is simple: if you let insects live in your home, you are letting them live in your home. And that means they’ll have access to all parts of the home. So even if you could somehow thwart them at the electric outlets, they’ll surely find another way in. Why? Because that’s what they do; its what they exist to do. Therefore the only way to stop the behavior is to remove the pest.
In this case, go with Xempt Dust if you want to stop them. It will do so 100% where applied. First treat entry point and then attics and wall voids. In most cases, this will solve the problem unless they’re already nesting in living spaces.
Xempt Dust: https://bugspray.com/exempt/dust/pest-xempt-dust
Crusader Duster: http://bugspray.com/equipment/dusters/crusader
As for the sink; use Survivors and Lemon Air as explained here:
Insects in Drain: https://bugspray.com/crickets-coming-up-drain
Technical Support
U-Spray Bugspray
http://www.bugspray.com
1-800-877-7290
PS: Are you signed up for our informative twice a month Pest Report Newsletter? More info here: https://bugspray.com/bugspray-pest-report
Laura says
For ceiling fans, air vents, light fixtures, outlets, and sprinklers on the wall/ceiling…do I have to unscrew them all from the wall/ceiling in order to apply the dust? It seems easier for the outlet/light plates and air vents but a bit more difficult for fans, lights, and sprinklers.
Tech Support says
Laura,
So with electric outlets, vent and light switch covers, plan on removing them so you can properly dust unimpeded. This is shown in our video above:
https://bugspray.com/articles98/silverfish#how-to-treat-points-of-entry-like-air-vents-light-fixtures-and-electric-outlet-covers
Fans and light fixtures can often have a “base” that comes off easily. If you have one in a room easy to reach and service, try removing t he base to see if it does come off easily AND if there is a big entry hole underneath. If the answer to these two questions is “yes” and “yes”, then the rest in the home will probably be very similar and so worth removing. This will insure they’re properly dusted.
Now in some cases, we’ve seen where the base can have a big enough “gap” against the ceiling so the dust can be applied without removing the base. But if the base is tight to the ceiling, it could block a direct application which is the clear goal.
This applies to all lights, fans and sprinkler heads.
Tech Support
bugspray.com
Text-a-Tech: 678-667-2284
Laura says
Thanks. How much dust do I put in the bulb duster for each plate or fixture treatment? Do you just put so much in the duster to dispense per room and then squeeze a certain number of times per plate and fixture?
Tech Support says
Laura,
Great question! The quick answer is: Not Much!
In fact it only takes 2-3 squeezes per light switch or electric outlet cover. This dust is so “fine” and light that it will cover all areas before it settles and the thin coating is all that’s needed.
Now will it hurt if you over apply it? No, it would just last that much longer so using more is fine. But unlike most all other dusts, like boric acid for example, you only need a very, very thin coating of this dust to get the job done and for it to work for 6-12 months.
Tech Support
bugspray.com
Text-a-Tech: 678-667-2284
Laura says
I’m concerned about my bookcase which is open on the backs and sides so books do sit on the wall and I also have some antique books that are decor on different tables. Would the automister product you have be sufficient for the bookcase if I sit it on the top shelf? Is this enough to get down to all the shelves of books and without damaging them? I work remotely and so am home a lot…is this harmful to inhale long term or how long would it be necessary to keep running?
Would the multipurpose spray sprayed in the air near some decor/antique books be sufficient without spraying the inside?…just don’t want to damage them but want to deter them as much as possible. I’ve also started having carpet beetle issues so am concerned about them doing damage as well. I’m trying to convince my apartment office to have the pest control guy treat the attic but no luck so far…they just say well he treated the crawl space :(. I’ve also had him spray inside my unit twice a month since I moved in 3 months ago but still not resolved….
Tech Support says
Laura,
The Multipurpose would be ideal. Odorless and easy to apply, a light misting would provide a surface spray with lasting residual good for at least 2 weeks. So if you use it twice a month by lightly misting the walls and books you would prevent pests from using all treated surfaces or else they’ll die.
.
For carpet beetles, the same product can help on a small scale meaning its well suited for carpets and walls as our article explains here:
.
https://bugspray.com/articles98/carpetbeetle
.
Now if you have Carpet Beetles? The Bithor applied with the Mini Mister would also be a great option since it would go a lot further compared to the aerosol. And it would work better too but for prevention, the aerosol would be fine.
.
Technical Support
Laura says
Is there a good way to remove the sprinkler heads without setting them off somehow? I don’t see screws on the ones I have. There is also an alarm panel and a few motion things on the walls/ceiling that I’m not sure I can remove but maybe I can just spray the multipurpose spray around them at least?
Are the multipurpose and the FS-MP sprays also a repellant? It says the multipurpose could last up to 12 weeks?? I sprayed FS-MP under all the baseboards and around windows a couple days ago as I was hoping that would at least help with the carpet beetles and eggs. I just killed a small silverfish on the wall so I guess that confirms they are coming from above or the wall outlets rather than baseboards as that should have killed it otherwise.
Tech Support says
Laura,
So it would appear you have some misconceptions about how our products work. But first the good news.
Its great to hear you are actively seeking to attack their points of entry! As for where to treat; its most likely they’re coming from underneath light fixtures (wall or ceiling), electric outlets, air vents or light switch covers. We have a video on how to treat these areas properly (link below).
Now the best products for this would be the FS MP and Dust, both seen above. The Multi Purpose is water based and more for sensitive surface spraying. Sure it will help in cracks and crevices BUT its really for surfaces. The FS MP and Dust are for the cracks and crevices, in this case the points of entry, and they’ll do 2-3 times better compared to the Multi.
As for removing water sprinklers; there are many designs we’ve seen. Most are tightened around a threaded pipe from above and so they’re pretty secure. This is especially true if plumbers tape or seal was used to insure they don’t leak. In general, that tight seal precludes them from being a point of entry BUT if pests are entering at that point, there must be a hole big enough for you to treat.
Lastly, treatments will work as a “contact kill” when applied and maybe for an hour or two. But once they dry, all pesticides loose that capability. After that, it will take several days for them to die even if they’ve picked up a lethal dose.
The “contact kill vs residual kill” misconception is covered in our post here:
https://bugspray.com/contact-killing-bugspray
The Air Vent – Outlet – Light Fixture treatment videos are here:
https://bugspray.com/vents
Tech Support
Laura says
Do you know an alternative recommendation for treating the attic aside from dust? The apartment complex’s pest control company recently put out bait in the building attic and it helped for about a week before they returned in my unit. They said they can’t use dust in our attic because of the air duct system being up there and the dust would blow inside my unit. Is it true that you can only use dust in attics that have the duct system in the basement?
Tech Support says
Laura,
So first, residential circulation systems are usually sealed with intakes and out vents typically built into ceilings or floors. I would be very surprised if your apartment is pulling air from the attic and then sending it to anyone’s living space as this would be just as bad as pumping any dust into someones apartment.
Second, I’ve been involved with 500-1000 if not more of these treatments and not once did we ever have dust get “in” the duct work.
That said, could your buildings system be pulling air from the attic space prompting them to be concerned? Maybe. But then logically it would be bad anyway since that air is not the kind of air you should be using to heat/cool anyone’s living space.
If we were to guess, its more likely they are “concerned” that some dust might find its way into the system and they’re not willing to chance it. That said, the risk of this happening is very slight when treatments are done properly around a system which is functioning properly. Unfortunately its nothing we can answer clearly since there are many variables AND your management team may have more information they haven’t shared.
Now if you aren’t able to treat the attic space directly? The next best option is to treat all routes of entry as our post here details:
https://bugspray.com/vents
Using the FS MP is easy and if you wear goggles, you can spray them without having to take them off. But if you can take them off, using the dust will last 6-12 months. FS MP will only last 1-2 months.
Tech Support
Laura says
That’s what I thought..closed system so shouldn’t be an issue. So frustrating they won’t do it. I did spray FSMP around the sides of all the ceiling vents, sprinkler heads (some aren’t flush with the wall),and light fixtures 2 nights ago. I didn’t see any last night but I just saw one tonight that I think came from around a vent 🙁 I guess there are just no repellant properties of the FSMP once it dries? I was hoping it would keep them away for more than 1 night and more like a couple weeks at least. I’m prepared with the dust and dusting tool so I guess I’ll try that on as many plates/vents/light fixtures as possible this weekend since they aren’t going to dust the attic and then caulk around the sprinkler heads since I don’t think dust can be applied there.
Tech Support says
Laura,
Great question on the FS MP! So for sure, FS MP is actually a great repellent. BUT it works best on non-porous surfaces like painted wood, tiles, plastic, metal, etc. Now when you are injecting where you’re using it? Its not the best option. Why? Because the “rough” unfinished wood above will tend to absorb it all and leave nothing on wood surface, where they’re walking, for them to detect or fear. Now if you repeat the process every 1-2 days for a week or two? You could very well get enough to “build up” and last to keep them from using it.
That said, the Dust option will not get absorbed by porous surfaces and so it is clearly the better choice. Both the dust and aerosol are repellent. Its just that each works better on opposite surfaces. Remember, the dust is not a good option for many areas for cosmetic reasons when you consider the FS MP can be invisible after it dries. And so both have their place. But for areas around air vents or even inside electric outlets, the dust is the way to go when possible.
Also, we generally don’t recommend using caulk because it will eliminate a route you can treat. This is especially helpful if you know the target pest is using that area. But if the gap around the sprinklers is very small AND you only have 2-3 of sprinkler heads, caulking them would be okay as long as the vents aren’t sealed. In general, attempting to seal a vent never goes well and causes more issues than it fixes so we would suggest you don’t attempt to do the same with them. But the sprinkler heads we know are round and have a small gap easy to seal effectively.
Tech Support
Laura says
Additionally, I see you recommended someone else drill holes in their walls….is dusting the plates, vents, and light fixtures not sufficient and I need to drill holes as well?
Tech Support says
Laura,
Dusting inside the walls are generally best for very small pests like CLOVER MITES or SPRINGTAILS. In general, only a homeowner (one who owns the structure being treated) should do such a treatment. And when it comes to treating apartment walls, its not going to solve the issue because there are so many walls you can’t treat. So in your situation, I don’t see a lot of “up” side to warrant the treatment.
Tech Support
Laura says
I actually have 5 sprinkler heads in my main living area where I see most of the silverfish. There is one in each of the the other rooms. They are round sprinkler heads and the base on some has a gap between the wall but it seems too small to fit the dust bulb in order to get dust behind them. Since the FS MP isn’t having a lasting effect there, I thought caulking could hopefully keep them from getting in. However, I was planning to just caulk around sprinkler heads and not the air vents. Thanks for your guidance. I just wish you were local and treated my area lol as none of our pest companies around here seem to understand different treatments for different insects; the guy treating said he has never even seen someone with a silverfish problem.