Silverfish Control

Silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum) are a pest often associated with dampness and areas of high humidity and are commonly found in kitchens and bathrooms within UK properties. Silverfish can be a nuisance and if left uncontrolled damage a range of textiles, wallpaper and leather. They can be a major pest within museums and areas of storage.

In UK Houses the silverfish are commonly found around leaks and areas with stagnant water; under bath panels or before sinks are the primary locations and bad or decaying sealant strips are usually the primary cause. Silverfish have a particular interest in glues and wallpaper paste and often are found under lino and carpet tiles that have been attached to the floor with adhesive.

For best results, users should understand the biology and behaviour of silverfish. At ProPest we have decided not to create extensive amounts of text on this subject however if you wish to find out further information Wikipedia has a vast amount of relevant information on silverfish which can be found here; alternatively, the BPCA is the leading UK association for pest control related information including a treatment page that can be found here.

Treatment should first look at how the silverfish are attracted to a specific area; from our extensive experience, a typical UK house with silverfish activity is commonly found within bathrooms and kitchens. Checking for leaks or a bad seal around sinks should be the first step in identifying a potential source. Removal of dampness by repairing the leaks will likely control silverfish without the user requiring any additional treatment materials; that being said using insecticides and non-toxic sprays will vastly hasten the speed up of any eradication plan.

For long-term prevention within areas that may have persistent issues using a non-toxic powder such as an insect-grade diatomaceous earth in confined locations or under flooring can be an excellent method of control of emerging infestations.

Please find below our most common and popular products associated with silverfish control: