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How to Get Rid of Silverfish in NZ Homes: DIY Pest Control Tips
New Zealand homes provide the perfect conditions for silverfish to thrive. These pesky insects can find food and places to hide in every room of the house. While silverfish aren't a major health hazard, they're still a big nuisance! They damage paper, books, fabrics, and household items, and they'll infest bathrooms and kitchens if given the chance.
In this helpful blog, The Local Guys will teach you how to identify silverfish, how to spot a pest infestation, and the best ways to get rid of silverfish! We even have some quick and easy DIY pest control methodsthat you can try yourself. If you want to get annoying pests like silverfish out of your home, then keep reading!
What Do Silverfish Look Like?
Silverfish identification is easy because they have a very distinct shape! Adult silverfish are around 1-2cm in length. They have a silvery/metallic appearance and a teardrop-shaped body that tapers at the rear. Silverfish have 2 long antennae that are around half the length of their bodies, and 3 thin tails that spread from the backend.
How to spot silverfish eggs and larvae:
Silverfish eggs: Oval-shaped and white or yellow in colour
You'll usually find clusters of silverfish eggs in dark corners of bathrooms or wardrobes, inside books or cardboard boxes, under floorboards, or in furniture creases. Silverfish eggs grow best in environments with high humidity.
Silverfish nymphs (also called larvae): Smaller and lighter/paler than adult silverfish.
Growing silverfish moult regularly, so if you're spotting silvery shed skins around the place, then you have a growing population of silverfish in your home!
Are Silverfish Harmful?
Silverfish don't bite, sting, or spread diseases like many other pest insects, but that doesn't mean they should be welcome in your home! These pests can still cause harm, especially when they reach infestation level.
When it comes to damaging household objects like books, wallpaper, and clothing, silverfish are very harmful! If they take over your kitchen, silverfish can infest and contaminate food. Baby silverfish also shed their skin, which can trigger allergies or asthmatic reactions in humans.
Yes, silverfish eat clothes and fabrics! Like moths, silverfish are common culprits of clothing damage, especially if they set up in your wardrobe, cupboards, or dresser drawers. Luckily, there are easy ways to get rid of silverfish in clothes!
No, silverfish are not usually harmful to plants! Silverfish insects prefer to feast on food scraps, books, and clothes around your home, so your succulents and potted plants are usually safe.
What Causes Silverfish in the House?
Silverfish love homes in New Zealand because they provide abundant food sources and the perfect conditions for silverfish eggs.
Why am I suddenly seeing silverfish?
Silverfish lurk in forgotten corners of your home, so you're more likely to see them if you're shuffling around old boxes or haven't deep-cleaned your bathroom recently. But if you're suddenly seeing a lot of silverfish around your home, it's a sure sign that you have a pest infestation on your hands!
The early signs of a silverfish infestation are:
- Yellow stains on clothing
- Shed skins left behind by silverfish nymphs
- Holes in clothes or books
- Tiny black droppings
- Regular sightings of silverfish
Spotting these signs early can help prevent further damage to household objects and the spread of the infestation.
Where Do Silverfish Live?
Silverfish thrive in moist, humid environments. They love warm, damp, and dark spaces where they won't be disturbed.
Common silverfish hiding spots include:
- Attics, bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms
- Behind appliances (dishwashers, microwaves, water heaters etc.)
- Books and paper piles
- Cardboard boxes
- Cereal boxes
- Household clutter
- Under sinks
- Under floorboards
- Under wallpaper
- Pantries and food storage spaces
As you can see, silverfish have their pick of places to hide in your home, which is why getting rid of them is so difficult!
8 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish
Getting rid of silverfish permanently is difficult, but there are steps that you can take to protect your home and prevent infestations. Prevention is key when dealing with silverfish! Doing simple household maintenance like regular cleaning and decluttering, dealing with moisture issues, and sealing cracks can prevent silverfish from taking over.
To keep silverfish away, you should:
- Vacuum and clean regularly
- Clear clutter away to eliminate hiding spots for silverfish
- Set up dehumidifiers in areas with moisture problems
- Fix any leaky pipes or plumbing fixtures
- Store papers in plastic tubs and containers
- Store starchy food in sealed containers (potatoes, rice, pasta, bread, cereals etc.)
- Seal entry points, holes, cracks, and gaps to stop silverfish from getting in
- Organise routine pest control services
Why Choose The Local Guys?
DIY pest control methods are cost-effective for minor pest issues, but they aren't effective for severe infestations. If you have ongoing or major problems with silverfish around your home, then professional pest control services are the best option! The Local Guys use safe and effective pest control methods to get rid of silverfish in homes. We even provide a 3 month warranty for indoor pest treatments, so you can count on lasting protection!Our pest controllers:
- Have a 100% satisfaction guarantee! If silverfish insects appear while you're still under warranty, our technicians will provide another treatment at no extra cost!
- Are fully-licensed and trained to deliver pest control services
- Have an average rating of 4.5 stars
- Hold $5,000,000 in Public Liability Insurance
- Undergo regular Police Clearance checks
- Require a Working With Children Check (WWCC)
- Have a First Aid Certificate
- Donate $5 to World Vision New Zealand for every job (terms & conditions apply)
Do you have ongoing issues with bugs like silverfish, carpet beetles, clothes moths, or other unwanted pests? Along with our effective and affordable pest control treatments, The Local Guys can create a custom pest management plan to keep your property safe and pest-free! Want to know how much a silverfish control service will cost? Discover our average pest control prices here!
How to Make a DIY Silverfish Trap
Since silverfish aren't aggressive or an immediate threat to your household, minor pest issues can be handled with basic homemade traps! We recommend placing silverfish traps in dark, moist areas such as under sinks in bathrooms, or near cracks or crevices where silverfish commonly hide. You'll need to check and replace these traps regularly for the best results.
While DIY pest control methods can help keep your home silverfish-free, they're less effective for persistent or serious pest issues. If you have a silverfish infestation on your hands, then seek assistance from pest control experts like The Local Guys!
Use a DIY glass jar trap
Items you need:
- 1 old glass jar or container
- Masking tape
- Food bait (flour or bread)
Steps:
- Completely cover the outside of the glass jar in masking tape
- Add your silverfish bait to the trap
- Set the bait trap in an area where you've seen the silverfish
- Check, empty, and reset the silverfish trap every 2-3 days
- Keep it up until the silverfish are gone!
Make a sticky tape trap
Adhesive traps are great for catching silverfish around the house! Are there any gaps or holes in your flooring that you can't seal easily? Set up the trap in front of the gaps and any silverfish sneaking through will be caught on the sticky surface.
Items you need:
- Sticky tape or duct tape
- A piece of cardboard or plastic you can use as a baseboard
- Food bait (bread or flour)
Steps:
- Cut or grab something you can use as a baseboard (cardboard/plastic etc.)
- Wrap your sticky tape or duct tape around the board so that the sticky side is facing up
- Place the trap in an area where you have spotted silverfish insects
- Add a small piece of bait to the middle of the sticky trap to attract the silverfish
- Check on the sticky trap after 2-3 days and throw it out
- Make any silverfish trap and repeat the process until you're happy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you should be worried if you're seeing silverfish during the day, often, or in different rooms of your home! These are common signs of an indoor silverfish infestation. Silverfish are nocturnal insects so it's unusual to see them during the daytime, and if they're appearing in different areas around your home, then you're probably dealing with a pest infestation. Silverfish can live for up to 8 years, so waiting for a pest issue to die out on its own is never recommended!
Have you found silverfish crawling over clothes in your wardrobe, drawers, or cupboards? No one likes having creepy crawlies invade their space, but unless your clothes have been damaged, getting rid of silverfish in clothes is an easy problem to fix!
- Empty out the drawers/wardrobe/cupboard completely
- Shake out your clothing (outside if you can) and put it by your washing machine
- Kill, spray, or squash any silverfish that you see scuttling around
- Vacuum the area and target any crevices or hard-to-reach places where silverfish could hide
- Wash (and dry) all of your clothes thoroughly
Hot temperatures will kill any silverfish eggs or silverfish insects that are still hiding away in your clothes. You don't want to ruin your clothes just to get rid of silverfish, so start by double-checking the highest temperature that your clothes can handle.
Set the washing machine to the highest safe temperature that your clothes can handle and put it on. If it'll give you extra peace of mind that the silverfish are gone, then give your clothes a second wash.
For delicate clothing items that can't handle high temperatures, you just need to be thorough to get rid of silverfish and their eggs. Again, check the washing label to ensure you won't damage your clothes by mistake. If you can, try a long wash with a fast spin cycle.
Once your clothes are clean, consider putting them through the dryer too. This step might be overkill, but it's worth the hassle for extra assurance that the silverfish are gone for good. Again, check which garments are safe to be put through the dryer, then use the highest safe dryer setting!
Essential oils won't kill silverfish outright, but their strong scent can repel silverfish. Citrus, peppermint, lavender, tea tree, and cedar oil can have repellent effects if they're sprayed or placed along baseboards, under sinks, in crevices, and other common entry points.
Please note: Essential oils should not be used in homes with young children or pets! Essential oils can poison cats and dogs. Contact with essential oils can also irritate eyes and skin, and be toxic if ingested!
If you try to essential oils to repel silverfish:
- Avoid direct skin contact with the essential oils
- Carefully follow any safety instructions on the label
- Ensure the area is properly ventilated
- Dilute a few drops of your essential oil in water
- Wear protective gear like gloves, a facemask, or glasses
Would you prefer natural pest control methods and home remedies over an insecticide spray? You can try placing dried bay leaves in areas that you've seen silverfish, such as your bathroom, or pantry. The oils in bay leaves produce a scent that can repel silverfish. You will need to refresh the leaves every few weeks, because they'll lose their scent and effectiveness over time.
Dried bay leaves can help keep a small number of silverfish away, but when it comes to severe infestations, you may need to organise a professional pest control service.
Be aware: Pet owners should avoid using dried bay leaves in their home, because they are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Key Takeaways
Silverfish are a common nuisance in New Zealand homes, where they thrive in warm, humid spaces like bathrooms, kitchens, and wardrobes. While they don’t bite or spread diseases, silverfish can cause serious damage to books, clothes, wallpaper, and food supplies. The Local Guys have shown you how to identify silverfish and spot the early signs of infestation, such as yellow stains, shed skins, and tiny holes in fabrics or paper.
Getting rid of silverfish completely is almost impossible, but simple preventative measures like cleaning, decluttering and dealing with moisture issues can make your household less appealing to silverfish pests. For minor pest issues, you can make DIY silverfish traps using sticky tape, a glass jar, or an old newspaper. However, you may need professional pest controllers to take care of a full-blown silverfish infestation!
The Local Guys provide safe, trusted and affordable pest control treatments in New Zealand. With our 3-month warranty and customer satisfaction guarantee, you can count on lasting protection from silverfish! Want to protect your home from silverfish insects? Book a pest control inspection or treatment with The Local Guys today!
Disclaimer: The information presented on this webpage provides general knowledge about pests and potential treatments. It is important to note that this content is not meant to serve as medical advice. In the case of a medical emergency, please dial 111 promptly and adhere to the provided guidance.
- About the Author
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Jarrad has been working in the service industry for more than 10 years and has managed clients from very small hair dressers to national clients. Over the decade, Jarrad has proudly won and managed many large tenders with government bodies and commercial businesses nationally. Additionally, Jarrad has trained and supported many franchise partners over the years.
