Silverfish in the House: Why You Have Them and How to Get Rid of Them
Silverfish are small, silvery, fast-moving insects with a tapered body, and they mean one thing: damp. They don't bite or spread disease, but they live where humidity stays high, such as bathrooms, under sinks, store rooms and behind furniture against outside walls, and they chew paper, books, photos and starched fabrics. In coastal Abu Dhabi they're common in towers. Fixing the moisture and baiting where they hide clears them.
Why do I have silverfish?
Humidity. Sea air along the Corniche, Al Reem and other coastal areas keeps indoor moisture high, and internal bathrooms, AC condensation and slow leaks add to it. Silverfish shelter in cracks, behind skirting, under bath panels and inside boxes of paper and old clothes.
They also arrive in cardboard boxes, old books and stored papers, which is why they often show up after a move.
Do silverfish cause damage?
They don't harm people or pets, but they can damage things you care about. Look for small irregular holes or scraped surfaces on paper, book covers, photos, documents and wallpaper, yellowish stains on fabrics, and tiny pepper-like droppings in drawers and on shelves.
Families who store documents, Quran copies, books or traditional clothing in closed cupboards should check them, especially in rooms that are rarely aired.
How do I get rid of silverfish?
• Reduce humidity: run bathroom exhaust fans, air closed rooms and fix leaks under sinks and around AC units. • Move books, papers and clothes out of cardboard boxes into sealed plastic containers. • Vacuum cracks, shelves and the backs of cupboards, and clear clutter from store rooms. • Seal gaps along skirting and around pipes. • Keep stored items off bathroom and laundry floors.
These steps make the home less welcoming. If silverfish are already established in walls and voids, targeted treatment is needed to clear them.
When should you call a professional?
• You see silverfish most nights, or in several rooms. • Books, documents or clothes show damage. • They keep coming back after you've dried the room out. • You live in a coastal tower and neighbours have the same problem.
Friends treats silverfish with targeted baiting where they hide and advice on moisture control, using municipality-approved products, with a written report after each visit. The inspection is free. Call 050 112 7654.
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Call 050 112 7654 or request a quote. Serving Abu Dhabi and Al Ain since 2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do silverfish bite?
No. Silverfish don't bite people or pets and aren't known to spread disease. The problem is the damage they do to paper and fabric.
Does seeing silverfish mean my home is dirty?
No. It means there's damp. Even very clean homes get them in humid coastal areas.
Can silverfish live in a dry Al Ain home?
Less often, but yes, around bathrooms, leaks and stored boxes. Find and fix the damp spot first.