Live silverfish
Small, silvery-gray insects with a tapered, teardrop-shaped body and quick, wriggling movement.
Need a silverfish exterminator?
Silverfish are fast-moving, moisture-loving pests that can damage paper, fabrics, and stored goods while spreading through hidden areas of your home. Professional silverfish control from Terminix can help eliminate active infestations and reduce the conditions that might attract them to your home.
- Silverfish are nocturnal and often hide in walls, closets, attics, and other hard-to-reach areas, making infestations difficult to fully eliminate without professional treatment.
- Ongoing silverfish activity can damage books, wallpaper, cardboard boxes, photographs, and stored clothing over time.
- Professional silverfish pest control from Terminix can help reduce current activity while lowering the risk of future infestations.
Your silverfish treatment options
Perimeter spray
Specialized repellent liquid may be applied around the exterior perimeter of your home, focusing on areas where silverfish are likely to enter or travel, such as foundation walls, entry points, and other moisture-prone zones. These applications help create a protective barrier designed to help reduce silverfish activity around the structure before pests make their way indoors. By targeting common access points, perimeter treatments can help keep your home protected long term.
Granular treatments
Granular treatments are used in exterior soil, mulch beds, and other moisture-prone areas where silverfish may hide or originate. These granules break down over time to help target silverfish in outdoor harborages before they can move indoors. Terminix technicians use granular treatments to help limit silverfish activity and keep these occasional invaders outside.
Interior spot treatments
Interior spot treatments are applied directly to areas where silverfish activity has been identified inside the home, such as behind appliances, around plumbing penetrations, inside closets, and along baseboards. Unlike broader silverfish repellent applications that deter movement and activity, spot treatments target silverfish where they are actively hiding and harboring.
Our commitment to you, your family, and the environment
Pet and family friendly
Applied with care for the people and pets you love
Eco-conscious solutions
Smart, targeted approaches designed with the environment in mind
Local experts
Local technicians who understand your area’s unique pest challenges
Signs of silverfish to look for
Damage to paper and fabrics
Irregular holes, yellow staining, or surface erosion on books, wallpaper, cardboard boxes, and stored clothing.
Nesting materials
Tiny black, pepper-like pellets found near baseboards, storage boxes, and other hidden areas.
Shed skins
Thin, translucent exoskeletons left behind in areas where silverfish hide and grow.
The Terminix Difference
Here’s what our customers have to say...
Kat Wyckoff
Colorado Springs, CO
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We got invaded, wildlife need to stay outside not inside. Called and they came, very fast and efficient. We do have dogs I was concerned for but what they use was safe for our dogs.
3 months ago
Martin Dixon
Indianapolis, IN
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Terminix did a good job of taking care of my raccoons in the attic problem. Animals were captured and removed. Terminix showed up on time as scheduled. Phone communications were very good in getting everything coordinated. The cleaning and wildlife barriers were accomplished in one day with very little mess or inconvenience.
5 months ago
Krootie
St Louis Park, MN
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We've used Terminix for a while now and have always been happy with their provided services. Even when 'nature finds a way' to get back where it doesn't belong, they are very prompt to swing by to take care of the problem. We recently used Terminix to remove the insulation, sanitize, and re-blow insulation into our entire attic. The process went from inspection, to quote, to completion within the same week. The crew was very respectful of our home, pets, and our time. You might be able to find cheaper options out there, but for the amount of care the technicians provide with every service I recommend you go with Terminix.
7 months ago
April Methot
Woburn, MA
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Metro west MA Terminix team is amazing! Frances in pest control has protected us from pests for over 15 years! His response time and attention to detail is like no other. He listens and has solved all our issues over the years. We have been Vith and team in wildlife for over 5 years now and they have been diligent at finding and blocking access points in our 1860s home. At the beginning appt scheduling was frustrating but Frances has helped ease our frustrations and get us to the right people to schedule. Highly satisfied customer and highly recommend this team!
8 months ago
Donna R
Virginia Beach, VA
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Was very impressed with the quick response and efficiency in dealing with our home. Keith Sacco was great to deal with and made himself available to handle all our questions. Well done. The work performed by the wildlife exclusion tech and the moisture barrier installers was top notch also.
7 months ago
What to expect from Terminix silverfish control services
Keep your home protected from silverfish with our expert silverfish control services! Our silverfish exterminators are equipped with effective strategies and treatments to eliminate infestations and prevent future issues. Here’s how it works:
Inspection
A Terminix technician will inspect moisture-prone areas and hidden spaces to identify silverfish activity, entry points, and contributing conditions.
Treatment
Your technician will apply targeted silverfish treatments to active zones and harborage areas to help eliminate existing populations.
Prevention
After your treatment, your technician will recommend preventative tips to help reduce conditions that attract silverfish.
FAQs about silverfish control
The cost of silverfish extermination varies based on the size of the infestation, the level of moisture or structural conditions, and the treatment areas required.
At Terminix, our include silverfish control and protection against other common pests, such as mice, rats, roaches, spiders, and ants. All silverfish pest control plans are backed by the Terminix It Guarantee – if pests come back between treatments, so will we.
To help prevent silverfish from sneaking inside, reduce humidity with dehumidifiers, fix leaks, store paper goods in sealed containers, and improve ventilation in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms. Regular cleaning and decluttering can also help limit hiding spots.
Natural methods like diatomaceous earth or essential oils may temporarily get rid of silverfish, but they rarely eliminate an established infestation. DIYs do not address hidden breeding sites, which is why professional silverfish control is needed for lasting results.
Silverfish are not known to be dangerous to humans, as they do not bite or transmit diseases. However, they can cause damage to books, clothing, and other household items, so it's essential to take steps to prevent and control infestations if you notice them in your home.
Silverfish are attracted to moisture, darkness, and food sources like paper, glue, starches, and fabrics. High humidity, plumbing leaks, poor ventilation, and cluttered storage areas are common contributors to infestations, especially during silverfish season when activity tends to increase indoors.
