Silverfish: Home Remedies

June 3rd, 2009 Posted in Pantry & Linen Pests, Silverfish & Firebrats




These insects go by many a code name, including fish moth, urban silverfish, tasseltail, and fringetail. Silverfish is their official name, though. There are many ways to get rid of these pesky pests, but the handiest ones start at home.


This article provides some home remedies for getting rid of silverfish.



Identification

The first step in this process is making sure what you have in your home are silverfish and not fire brats or centipedes, which may look and act very similarly.

Silverfish description:

  • About ½-1 inch in size.

  • Warm, moist, dark areas about 70-80 degrees F.

  • Found in sinks and showers where damp temperatures are prevalent, and they can survive the longest.


Fire brats description:

  • Approximately 1-1.5 centimeters in size.

  • Grayish-brown in color.

  • Prefer hotter environments, closer to temperatures around 90 degrees F.

  • Found in places like boiler rooms because they have a higher resistance to drier areas.


Centipede description:

  • Ranges from 1-2 inches in size.

  • Yellowish-gray coloring.

  • Have 15 pairs of legs.

  • Eat silverfish for dinner!


Home Remedies


Some plants do the trick:

  • Camphor has been found to be a great deterrent. From a camphor tree, it can be used as an insecticide when synthesized.

  • Rosemary leaves will make those silverfish run a marathon…preferably on their way out of your house.

  • Costmary sprigs, also called bible leaf because of their use as a bookmark in bibles back in medieval times, are perennial herbs that scare silverfish away. (The smell of this plant alone makes them scurry).

  • Cucumber peels are said to turn away silverfish with their strong scent.



Other household tricks:

  • Keep your home clean.

  • Get rid of high-moisture areas with a dehumidifier or clean up standing water.

  • Spread mothballs near well-known sites of silverfish, since they are not fond of this scent, either.


Infested books can be placed in plastic bags and put in the freezer with calcium oxide or silica gel. These drying agents will definitely kill the silverfish hiding in your reading material within 3 days.


EcoSMART Will Leave Nothing Behind!

EcoSMART Ant and Roach Killer lists silverfish as one of the insects it gets rid of on contact. This EcoSMART product is helpful in answering the question,“How to kill silverfish?” This environmentally-safe insecticide contains all natural ingredients, like rosemary, the well-known silverfish deterrent. No need to keep the kids or pets away, either. This product is safe around your whole family, including the family dog.


Chelsea Roeser




  1. 46 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!

  2. By Mandi on Jun 4, 2009

    I am very very excited about using products that are actually SAFE for use around my 14 month old son!! Thanks EcoSMART!!

  3. By R. McKnight on Jun 5, 2009

    This sounds wonderful. I LOATHE silverfish. I’m not fond of any bug that invites itself into my house, but I have a special level of revulsion when it comes to silverfish.

  4. By Rebecca on Jun 8, 2009

    I will try rosemary leaves and let you know my findings (or lack of) in a few weeks. I have been seeing silverfish and centipedes regularly in our home the last few weeks.

  5. By Shirley McEntire on Jul 7, 2009

    When I read about ecosmart I was so happy to hear it is safe for children and pets. I can’t wait to try it and watch the silverfish run away.

  6. By greg on Jul 9, 2009

    This is such a great site with so much info. I can’t wait to try all ecosmart products. I only use safe products in my home and in the garden.

  7. By Cameron on Jul 10, 2009

    I just turned up with an infestation of these bugs in my home. Please help! It is apparently an old apartment building and this just came up for the first time since I’ve lived here in the last 3 years.

  8. By Cameron on Jul 10, 2009

    I just turned up with an infestation of these bugs in my home. Please help! It is apparently an old apartment building and this just came up for the first time since I’ve lived here in the last 3 years. I have never had this problem before and am very good bout cleaning my home.

  9. By JONELLE on Jul 11, 2009

    I just started seeing these UGLY creatures in the past 2 months! I’ve lived in my townhome for almost 2 1/2 years. Where do these things come from???? The first time I saw one I was on the toilet (lol) and it ran across the floor and into a crack in the corner of my wall. I thought it was termites at first. Then I had my husband catch one and placed it in a plastic bag so we could get a closer look! Ewwww! So far I’ve seen at least 5 of them altogether. I HATE bugs but this topped the chart. I want to get rid of them and I want it to be right now!!!! Please help! I think about them crawling on me in the bed while I’m sleep, how scarey!

  10. By Susan on Jul 12, 2009

    We’ve always had silverfish. I have a cat so I don’t want to use anything to harm her (or my self). I am looking forward to trying your product. If it works, I will recommend it to the other homeowners in my building.

  11. By Joe Cherry on Jul 13, 2009

    Have lived in current location for 10 years. Not a big fan of pest sprays. Understand the effects they have on us AND the bugs. Tried hotels for roaches and did well. Now comes the silverfish problem—what to do. Nothing because of spray. Closets major problem, holes in clothing showing up. Do not want to boric acid the shelves either. Anxious to try product. Heard about ecosmart on radio and natural products newsletter, found a retailer here in Texas.Will advise others if satisfied. Thanks

  12. By Patti on Jul 13, 2009

    We have silverfish in our home and I have been reluctant to do anything because we have three small children and four cats and I was afraid of what the chemicals would do to our family. I would love to try this solutiom.

  13. By Bill Furbush on Jul 16, 2009

    I am excited to use an eco friendly product to get rid of the of the Silverfish bug living in our house siding. My wife is nine months pregnant and we have a dog and cat that we want to keep safe and not poison with a chemical pesticide.

  14. By Tom on Jul 18, 2009

    I have been looking for a product like this for a while now to solve a silverfish problem in the kitchen and roof space. Please start distributing this product in the UK!

  15. By Cari on Jul 18, 2009

    I am a teacher, and every year I have hundreds of books that get stored for the summer. This is the first time I’ve seen what by all accounts are “silverfish”. Probably because of all the rain and the books are in copy paper boxes. I would like to see if EcoSMART will kill these nasty bugs. I need something that will be safe for my students ! I plan to put the books in plastic, sealed bins with your solution. Let’s give it your best shot :>)

  16. By Cari on Jul 18, 2009

    I am a teacher, and every year I have hundreds of books that get stored for the summer. This is the first time I’ve seen what by all accounts are “silverfish”. Probably because of all the rain and the books are in copy paper boxes. I would like to see if EcoSMART will kill these nasty bugs. I need something that will be safe for my students ! I plan to put the books in plastic, sealed bins with your solution. Let’s give it your best shot :>)

  17. By lindsey on Jul 23, 2009

    im 14 and the silverfish bug decided my room was a great place to live! i cant do anything without seeing one, im exited to try this stuff and spray it EVERYWHERE hope it works and gets rid of this thing for good because im afraid to go in my own room! the other day i was sorting through some old clothes and a silverfish was chasing me litterally, i ran out of my room and it followed me, but my dad killed it and bye bye down the toilet it went! KILL THESILVER FISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  18. By Bambi on Jul 29, 2009

    Our barn has always had silverfish in it. I didnt think much about it because it was outside. In the house we run a dehumidifier, tonight these things decided to come out of hiding. Lucky me found this out by waking up with one!!!! I am def going to try your home remidies and hopefully something will work!!

  19. By Paul on Aug 20, 2009

    yes it is definitely these silverfish which is running around my bathroom. i have squashed literally hundreds of these things in the past few weeks. but they are staring to come more frequently and in bigger numbers now. i am going to try some of these remedies, rosemary etc… hopefully something works, because i am sick of these things..

  20. By Alisan Boes on Aug 25, 2009

    I have tried silver fish packs. When I put the new ones out I see fewer silverfish but they always come back. I hope your product can help!

  21. By Pat W on Sep 11, 2009

    Have been seeing this critters in increasing number for some reason this year..some as big as two inches..ugh and little ones. I hate them..The other night washing clothes in the basement I lifted a garment off the floor and a BIG silverfish scrurried out..I screamed..I shake everything anyway but he caught me off guard..Also will start using the dehumidifer in the basement again..Looking forward to using your eco friendly product..we have two dogs Spanky and Shiloh we want to keep safe..thanks.

  22. By Amanda on Sep 24, 2009

    I have these in my downstairs bathroom and see them just about every night. It was annoying but not a huge problem until they found their way into the kitchen. SO GROSS!!! I will definitely try some of these remedies and hope something works! Thanks!

  23. By Elizabeth on Sep 29, 2009

    I first found the nasty lil’ buggers in my sons bathroom, then when changing his bedsheets one was on his mattress! Dear Lord, I didn’t know what to do. The mothballs are too much to smell, so we are going to try rosemary (much better)! We live in Louisiana, where it is hot and muggy. Can’t wait to try an eco-friendly product! Thank you!!

  24. By Joni Hackett on Sep 29, 2009

    I live near the beach in southern California. The bugs I have to contend with the most are: silverfish, ants, sub terranian termites and earwigs. Oh, we have snails too. I have told the insects that they are free to live outside, but not inside. The snails can hang out as long as they don’t eat the flowers or vegetables. Sometimes the critters don’t honor this and I have to get out the cayanne, soap, baking powder, essential oils, orange spray, etc. Nothing works all of the time. I still find myself dealing with these creatures and I just don’t have time anymore. I’ve bought several non toxic sprays from the health food store, but some of them have a horrible, long lasting smell.

    I am game to try any and all products. I need natural, non toxic solutions for both the inside and outside. I have 2 small grandchildren under 3 and a small dog. They love to crawl all over-inside and out.

    Also, my daughter & husband are moving into a previously occupied house and we want to do something to get rid of any pre-existing infestations before they move in. Can you help?

    Thank you so much. I have a large community of friends and family that would just love to know and use these products. I look forward to using them soon!

  25. By Erin Hillier on Oct 10, 2009

    I get these nasty little bugs every so often in my bathrooms, and just recently found a dead one in my bedroom carpet (I am praying an adventurous cat brought it in from elsewhere). I’d love to try something pet-friendly to get these guys far, far away from me!

  26. By Francis Paquet on Oct 24, 2009

    I am running to the store to try this product. We inherireted this bug a few years back (How ???) and they keep crawling around the house. Since we had a dehumidifier in the basement there are less of them but we can still find them once in a while. will sure try the rosemary leaves as well.

  27. By cherie on Oct 24, 2009

    I love the idea of using rosemary. I will have to try that in my closets. I have a rosemary hedge in front of my house and a huge bush in my herb garden.

  28. By ruth on Oct 26, 2009

    i am in scotland, such a lovely country but have encountered one in my bathroom and one on my sitting room blind (cotton).i grow rosemary in my garden so will bring it in and give it a try b4 using the spray

  29. By Jim on Nov 2, 2009

    I have found a few in the sink in my kids bathroom and wanted to know if anyone knew if the silverfish are harmful?

  30. By Gang Li on Nov 5, 2009

    I just identified the bugs I found in my apartment are silverfish and found EcoSMART info on the internet. I can’t wait to try this product.

  31. By DOUG on Nov 19, 2009

    I have a small libary ,finding sliverfish in the book now and then.Now i’m putting cloves and mothballs on the shelves I see less of them. Thank you for the hints.

  32. By natalie heria on Feb 5, 2010

    I hate silverfish!!!! I finally decided to do something about it when I pulled out a dress from my closet last night and found one clinging to the back of the dress. UGHHHH!! I know where to buy camphor but I don’t particularly care for the smell myself. I would like to try the rosemary, but I’m not sure if you meant fresh or dried.

  33. By EcoSMART Megan on Feb 8, 2010

    Natalie,

    I’m right with you, I hate silverfish, too. EcoSMART’s Ant and Roach Killer is made from all natural ingredients, including rosemary oil.

    I suggest trying this and it’s completely safe to use around your family and in your closet.

    Glad I could help!

  34. By Bindhu on Jun 18, 2010

    We have had silverfish since the day we moved in 5 yrs ago… cant wait to try this product!

  35. By Amber on Jul 7, 2010

    would really like to use something not harmful to my children that actually works….i really hate ants and silverfish…*UGH*

  36. By David Morgan on Jul 15, 2010

    I hate silverfish! I now have them at 2 different homes, I’m afraid they are hiding in my travel bag and leap out when I get to either home, thus contaminating the other place. I need HELP!

  37. By Cheryl on Jul 25, 2010

    I find silverfish every so often in the basement. Always use environmentally conscious products (plus have a pet). Will try out your tips on the website and pick up the ant & roach killer while down in Minneapolis soon. Your store locater didn’t show it to be available in Canada. Too bad.

    Would love to have a chance to test out your products. Thanks for this great website. Skipped the rest as yours spoke of “non-toxic” and home remedies.

  38. By Dave alderson on Aug 4, 2010

    I hate these little things !!! I come home at night, walk into my (nice clean) kitchen , switch the light on and there’s always like 10-12 scurrying around on the floor tiles :( I sometimes see 1-2 in the bathroom too, I need rid of these pests fast!!!!!!!!!!!

  39. By Alison on Aug 14, 2010

    I have 4 yr. old twins and have been storing all of their old clothes to be passed on to friends, but when I went to take some out, I found that silverfish had gotten to them. I don’t like the idea of using toxic sprays (especially when the area that needs to be sprayed is my kids’ closet), but don’t know what to do. I will try the rosemary suggestion for now and am looking forward to trying EcoSmart. I’ll report back with the results.

  40. By Sally Andrews on Aug 20, 2010

    I have seen these silverfish crawling around all over my (clean) house for about 3 months and can’t stand them. I’ve tried spraying inside and out around the walls etc. and its like candy to them. I’ve even seen a few on the walls!! Gotta get rid of em! :(

  41. By thomas schurman on Apr 13, 2011

    hi i have just started seeing these pesky bugs that keep showing up my house is clean and dry but i still seam to have these things some times i think i can feel them crawling on me when i am trying to sleep so of course i cant get much sleep when all i can think about is them bugs on me i hope this product works thanks ecosmart

  42. By andrea on May 12, 2011

    I have just started seeing these here and there in my house! Ewwww. I cleaned and decluttered and everything. gotta get this spray to rid myself of these!

  43. By brian torres on May 15, 2011

    I don’t pike silver fish, and looking for ways to get them out….

  44. By mena on Jun 15, 2011

    I moved in to a townhome 3 months ago in savannah, ga. I’ve never been this far south before so everthing here is new to me. we started seeing them as soon as we moved in, but by me not know the insects here i just thought it was a pest that is living here because nobody stayed in this property for around 7 months. NO, not the case. i blamed it on the moving company who stored or belongings. not the case, my landlord stated that the home owners had the home sprayed so it had to come with you guys. im orginally from university place washington. where it barly sees 85 degree weather. I dont think so.
    i have terminix on my payroll now. but they didn’t do a good job. its june and i got my home sprayed in april ( inside and out) the only thing effect by their sprays are the beattles and other insects outside. i have yet to see one silverfish dead. now i am force to call them out again. i feel bad about the bugs outside i just wanted the silverfish to go away not the wild life outside my home. by this being a town home connected to other homes i doubt if i will be able to get rid of them completely but at lease stay out of my clothes and my daughter bathroom longer than a day the mouth balls are whats keeping them out of my kitchen but i have a 2 year old who thinks their grandma’s peppermints. not good…..i pray this item helps me ….i think bugs mean im filthy. and i know im not.

  45. By Rickie on Jul 13, 2011

    i am so disgusted by any bug, so any time i saw a silverfish i grabbed a flip flop and smashed it no biggy, until one got on my back and that is when i started seeking answers!! i hope it works.

  46. By Lorraine Gray on Aug 31, 2011

    I live in Canada, Hamilton Ontario, where can I get EcoSmart Products, I have looked in Canadian Tire and other stores, but can’t find it. Please advise.

  47. By Tammy on Sep 5, 2011

    I have a cat so, I need something that will get rid of these centipedes and silverfish and not harm him. I have tried using lemon air fresheners as a natural means-no success. Kitty wont eat the bugs but rather play with them. I do not leave paper in piles or such anywhere for silverfish to breed. I keep as much sunlight in as possible. I live on the top floor of my apartment building so, I have often wondered if that is another problem. Please help!

46 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers! (details)