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Are you wondering how to get rid of silverfish for good? If you've spotted small silver bugs in your home then chances are they're silverfish – a common pest in the UK. Here's our guide on how to get rid of silverfish...

What are silverfish?

Silverfish are little, nocturnal insects that can become pests in the home. They get their name from their colour (a silvery, grey shade) and their fish-like movement, thanks to their tapered tails and antennas. They move quickly, so can often out-run predators, and like to burrow in dark places.

Is it bad to have silverfish?

Silverfish are harmless enough to humans but they can destroy books, old papers, wallpaper, carpets and clothes with their droppings. They also love to make unsealed pasta, oat and cereal packets their home, so you'll want to get rid of them quickly.

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Where do silverfish nest in a house?

Silverfish are common pests, but can be hard to spot because they prefer to live in dark, moist places where damp is common. This includes attics, basements, garages and kitchens where they can feed on dust, unsealed dried food and clutter, like paper.

Pest books and newspapers. Insect feeding on paper - silverfish, lepisma

Leonid Eremeychuk Getty Images

What are the signs you have silverfish?

Tell-tale signs include yellow stains on clothing made from synthetic fabrics, along with small holes and droppings left on old paper and wallpaper. You can also find them burrowing in unsealed dried food packets.

Are silverfish a sign of a dirty house?

Silverfish love damp places so their presence is more of an indicator of moisture in the home. It might suggest that there is an entry point into your home caused by water damage – like small leak allowing rain water in.

Silverfish like to feed on dust and debris so the location where you find them will need a good clear out.

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How do you get rid of silverfish for good?

Consult an expert in the first instance, says Natalie Bungay, Technical Officer at the British Pest Control Association.

"Although silver fish are mostly only considered a nuisance, if they reach substantial numbers they can become unacceptable, especially in sterile environments such as hospitals," she explains. "They can also damage papers, textiles and packets of dried food."

"Although it is advisable to control the humidity, this is seldom a realistic approach to control silverfish after an infestation has happened," she adds. "A pest management professional will use an approved insecticide and their specialist knowledge of the pest's behaviour to control silverfish. You can find a BPCA approved pest management professional at bpca.org.uk/find."

What naturally kills silverfish?

There are a number of suggested home remedies that can help get rid of silverfish if you would rather not enlist the help of a professional. Try these kitchen cupboard essentials to help you get rid of silverfish...

Cedar shavings – Cedar oil and shavings are a common natural insecticide. You may like the woody smell but silverfish are repelled by it. Put cedar shavings and/or oil in the infected areas. They will be a bit messy but can be vacuumed and replaced every week.

Cinnamon – Similarly to cedar, us humans may love the smell of cinnamon but silverfish despise it. Put ground cinnamon, cinnamon oil or cinnamon sticks in infected areas.

Citrus fruits – Silverfish are repelled by the citrus scent of orange and lemon peel. It you use peel, you must replace it regularly. You can also make a citrus spray using lemon juice and water and spray the area.

Cucumber peels – Silverfish also hate the smell of cucumber. It can be used as above.

Cloves – Dried cloves contain eugenol which repels silverfish. Place whole cloves in the infected area.

Salt – Silverfish are attracted to salt but eating it will cause them to become dehydrated and die. Salt will also absorb damp in the area.

For a harsher substance, go for Boric acid. This is poisonous, toxic and can be harmful to children, pets and adult lungs if inhaled. It is commonly found in household cleaning products. It can be made into a diluted solution with water and sprayed into infected areas.

What smell do silverfish hate?

Silverfish hate the smell of citrus, cinnamon and lavender. If you are looking to repel them naturally, a great idea is to use essential oils to clean your home or as a home fragrance (such as candles and diffusers) to keep them away.

person cutting to make juice from fresh oranges on wooden table

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How do you prevent silverfish returning?

Fixing damp problems can help prevent silverfish returning long-term. That means sealing leaky pipes, increasing ventilation (think extractor fans in bathrooms), installing dehumidifiers and regularly opening windows.

Silverfish tend to feed on dust and debris, so regularly hoovering carpets, clearing away clutter like magazines and papers, and dusting can make all the difference to eradicating and preventing a silverfish infestation. Ensure dried foods like pasta, pulses and cereal are also stored in airtight containers.

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