How do I get rid of silverfish larvae?
Rachel Hickman
Published Mar 03, 2026
How do I get rid of silverfish larvae?
6 ways to get rid of silverfish
- Put a starchy food or substance in a glass container and wrap the outside with tape.
- Roll up newspaper.
- Put out sticky traps.
- Put out small bits of silverfish poison.
- Use cedar or cedar oil.
- Spread dried bay leaves throughout your home.
What time of year do silverfish come out?
Silverfish are nocturnal, so they prefer to stay hidden during the brighter hours of the day, and will likely only come out when your lights are off.
Is seeing silverfish mean an infestation?
A homeowner who sees a silverfish in one or two places in the home does not necessarily have an infestation. However, a homeowner who sees silverfish regularly likely has a problem.
What are these tiny silver bugs?
Silverfish get their name from the insect’s silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish are also known as “bristletails” because of their three long, bristle-like or tail-like appendages on the rear end of their body.
What happens if a silverfish bites you?
Although silverfish have a creepy appearance and are occasionally mistaken for venomous centipedes, silverfish are not known to bite humans and do not carry diseases. Silverfish leave small holes in materials they bite and may also cause yellow staining.
Do silverfish go dormant?
Unlike many other types of pests, silverfish don’t hibernate. They may slow down and go into a state of diapause, where their development in halted, but they are still active.
How do you get rid of silverfish overnight?
Use boric acid. This powder is a natural substance and another anti-insect superweapon. It will kill both the silverfish and their eggs. Spread it around the areas controlled by the silverfish before going to bed and vacuum it up in the morning. You may need to repeat this process until they are all gone.
Do I need to worry about silverfish?
Don’t Panic. Despite how scary they may look, stay brave if you see a silverfish. According to pest control service and research institute Orkin, silverfish don’t bite, nor do they carry any harmful diseases.
Do silverfish have larvae?
Female silverfish are capable of producing many eggs in their lifetime. Silverfish emerge from the egg fully formed, but smaller than mature adults. Nymphs undergo several molts before realizing their full size, and silverfish continue to molt throughout their lives.
What insect looks like a silverfish?
firebrats
The most common bugs that look like silverfish are firebrats, bristletails, earwigs, centipedes, and woodlice.
What scents do silverfish hate?
Silverfish do not enjoy the smell of oranges and other citrus, cinnamon, or lavender. Using essential oils in these scents is an excellent way to keep silverfish away. Try adding them to this homemade all-purpose cleaner. Spray it in kitchen and bathroom cupboards, under sinks, and around baseboards.