How to get rid of silverfish | Non-toxic

How to get rid of silverfish

Silverfish are the fast, silvery insects that scatter under the sink or behind the baseboard the moment you flip the light on. They are not a sign of a dirty home. They are a sign of moisture, and once you dry things out and treat the places they hide, they have nowhere left to settle. Here is how to get rid of silverfish without spraying harsh chemicals in your home.

Why silverfish move in

Silverfish crave humidity and dark, quiet spaces, so bathrooms, basements, closets and the gaps behind baseboards are their favorite haunts. They feed on starches and sugars: paper, book bindings, cardboard, wallpaper paste, flour and even starched fabric. They do not form colonies or leave a trail, so the goal is to dry out their hiding places, treat the cracks where they shelter and cut off the starchy food they are after. (More on the how and why: How to get rid of silverfish and What you need to know about silverfish and earwigs.)

The non-toxic fix

Start by cutting the humidity with a dehumidifier or a bathroom fan, since dry air alone drives silverfish out. For the places they hide, puff Dust to Dust with the Insect Buster into cracks, baseboards and under-sink gaps, where the powder keeps working on the silverfish that shelter there. To knock out the ones you see, spray Six Feet Under on contact with plant-based active ingredients.

Send silverfish packing

• Dry it out: run a dehumidifier or fan and fix leaks, since moisture is what draws them.
• Treat the hideouts: puff Dust to Dust into cracks, baseboards and under-sink gaps.
• Hit what you see: spray Six Feet Under on contact for silverfish out in the open.
• Cut the food: store paper, books and dry goods in sealed bins away from damp.

Related: How to get rid of silverfish in the bathroom and How to get rid of silverfish in books.

Shop non-toxic silverfish control → browse the full Silverfish collection.