Silverfish Pest Control Across the East Midlands

Silverfish or grey silverfish?

The common silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is about 10–12mm long, carrot-shaped and covered in silvery scales, with three tail filaments. It needs high humidity, so it lives in bathrooms, kitchens, under baths and around leaks, and comes out at night.

The grey silverfish or long-tailed silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) is larger, up to around 15–20mm with long tail bristles, and greyer. The Natural History Museum has recorded its spread in the UK in recent years. Unlike its cousin it tolerates drier conditions, so it turns up in living rooms, bedrooms and new-build homes, not just bathrooms.

Are silverfish harmful?

Silverfish don't bite and aren't known to spread disease. They feed on starches, glue, paper, mould and dust, so large numbers can damage books, photographs, wallpaper and stored documents. Lots of common silverfish can also be a sign of a damp or condensation problem worth fixing.

How we treat silverfish

We find where they're harbouring, usually gaps behind skirting boards, under baths and kitchen units, in floor voids and around pipework, then apply a residual insecticide into those cracks and voids. For grey silverfish we may also use bait.

Treatment works best alongside reducing humidity: fixing leaks, using extractor fans, ventilating after showers and cooking, sealing gaps around skirting and pipes, and keeping paper and cardboard out of damp storage areas. We'll give you specific advice for your home.