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Silverfish in the apartment are not uncommon. There are several reasons why the small insects like to live in rooms inhabited by people. We describe the most common causes and give you clear recommendations for action to take along the way. Silverfish in your home will soon be a thing of the past!
causes
Causes of silverfish in the bathroom
The bathroom is generally warm and humid - two parameters that correspond to the desires of silverfish. To be more precise, the insects need constant temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius and humidity of 80 to 90 percent in order to survive. These conditions are usually found in bathrooms.
Cracks as passage and shelter
With a total length of around 22 millimetres, the relatively tiny little fish often gain access to the bathroom through cracks or holes in the joints and through leaky walls. Sometimes they even sneak into your wet room down the drain. The cracks mentioned then also serve as shelter. Silverfish build their nests there and reproduce.
Mold on or in the wall
What seems hard to imagine for us humans is reality with silverfish: the insects love mold and feed on it. If you suddenly have a lot of representatives of the shiny silver species, it may be that your bathroom is moldy. Check walls and tiles. If necessary, removing the moldy zone can help.
Notice: It is well known that mold endangers human health. In this respect, the removal of the source is recommended primarily for this reason and only secondarily to drive away the silverfish. In fact, the latter are not a threat to your physical condition. They do not transmit pathogens.
food of silverfish
Food abounds
Even apart from potential "mould deposits", silverfish have enough to eat in the bathroom. As one of only a few creatures, the silverfish can digest cellulose. The substance is found in wallpaper and clothing, among other things. The animals enthusiastically nibble on the walls and your valuable clothes - especially if they have been lying around in the basket unwashed for a long period of time.
Tip: You can tell if a silverfish has tampered with your clothing by black traces of droppings and/or yellowish discoloration.
Silverfish in the kitchen
Reasons for silverfish in the kitchen
Silverfish also find the best conditions for permanently quartering themselves and building a whole nest in the kitchen. Cooking and washing up mean that there are also sufficiently warm temperatures and a decent level of humidity in the room so that the insects can feel comfortable.
Diverse range of feed
But that's not all. As interesting as the rather alternative foods in the bathroom are, the range of food in the kitchen is just as varied. As its scientific name - Lepisma saccharina, "sugar guest" - suggests, the silverfish especially likes foods containing sugar and starch. You probably have a few of these available in your kitchen.
In and under cupboards
In the kitchen, silverfish prefer to stay in cupboards with sugary and starchy foods and under the refrigerator. This has to do with the insects being extremely photophobic. So they search for places that offer as much darkness as possible. Insects are rarely encountered during the day anyway. Usually they only go hunting for food in your apartment at night.
Silverfish in the room
Silverfish in the children's room
A nightmare that has already become reality for some people: You want to put your child to bed normally and suddenly see a silverfish scurrying across the mattress. If it is just a single little fish, the reason for its presence is probably house dust mites, which are known to like to stay in bed.
Silverfish eat not only mould, sugary foods and the fabrics of clothing, but also these unwelcome arachnids with the greatest devotion. For those who are allergic to mite feces, it is an advantage that the mini creatures, which are invisible to the human eye, are among the fish's favorite foods. But of course you don't need the latter in bed - neither in the bedroom nor in the children's room.
Lots of fish in the room
Sometimes the horror described takes on even more frightening proportions: you check the entire bed area including the walls and see a huge nest of silverfish. In such a case, there is some evidence that the few house dust mites are not the only reason for the severe infestation.
Rather, you must then assume a mold plague and initiate appropriate investigations and, if necessary, elimination measures. As soon as the mold is no longer there, the silverfish also leave the children's room and look for a new place to stay.
Older buildings more affected than new ones
The probability that silverfish will appear in the apartment is always higher in an old building than in a new building. This is due to the fact that old buildings often have leaking walls and cracks, which makes it much easier for the little fish to access them.
Nevertheless, one cannot of course rule out the possibility that a silverfish will "get lost" in a new building - especially if this new building is too well insulated and still contains a lot of residual moisture. Poorly dried out, even the most modern house offers the best conditions for cheeky silverfish.
countermeasures
General recommendations for action
As you can see, silverfish eventually infest any room - even the bedroom or children's room, if they find sufficient warmth and moisture there. So what can you do to drive away the insects permanently or to prevent a (heavier) infestation? We would first like to provide you with some general recommendations for action that are easy to implement. In many cases, these measures are sufficient to achieve the desired result.
tips
Tip 1: Control room heat and don't overdo it
Basically, it is important to keep the conditions in your own home in such a way that silverfish do not feel invited. In concrete terms, this means that you should not overheat your premises. The range between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius is particularly critical. Try to stay below the 25 degree mark most of the time if possible.
Tip 2: Airing several times a day is indispensable and effective
Ventilation is also of particular importance. By ventilating each room two to three times a day for about five to ten minutes, you direct the moisture to the outside. The humidity drops and the silverfish are less interested in colonizing their home.
Tip 3: Take a close look at walls and joints
If little fish often join you, you should take a close look at your walls and joints. If you discover mold stains, it is advisable to remove them as quickly as possible. In addition, any cracks or holes in the joints should be closed.
Seal cracks and joints so that silverfish cannot get through them
These not only offer silverfish the opportunity to invade your home, but also other uninvited guests such as ants. It is usually sufficient to cover the open areas with silicone. However, if in doubt, it is better to hire a professional.
Tip 4: Pay attention to constant hygiene
As strange as it may sound, silverfish feel at home in unclean areas. As already mentioned, they like to nibble on long-unwashed clothes buried in the depths of the laundry basket. So always treat your dirty laundry to the machine as soon as possible.
In addition, the insects eat the hair and dander of their human hosts that have fallen on the ground. In this respect, you should also clean regularly. In short, it is important to consciously run the household hygienically. This keeps the fish away.
Action against silverfish
Take targeted action against silverfish
If you follow the basic measures described, there is a high probability that you will not have to welcome silverfish in your home in the short or long term. If you are nevertheless populated by the insects, you have no choice but to take tougher action if you do not want to share your home with the little fish. But be careful: not every measure is advisable without reservation.
No bug sprays and baits on toddlers and pets
If you have small children and/or pets, you should avoid using insect sprays and bait from supermarkets and drugstores. Although these funds promise quick help, they can cause damage if used improperly or stupidly. An example: The silverfish becomes infected with the poison in the bait box and is then eaten by your dog or cat. As a result, poisoning of the four-legged friend cannot be ruled out.
With (natural) home remedies to success
Fortunately, there are numerous options for taking relatively harmless action against the silverfish. In our article on the best home remedies you will surely find a suitable solution and you will soon be rid of the insects!