Silverfish in Ireland: Identification & How to Get Rid of Them?
Silverfish are one of the most common crawling insects found in Irish homes. Known for their silvery, metallic appearance and fish-like movements, these nocturnal pests thrive in damp, humid environments like bathrooms, kitchens, and attics. Left unchecked, silverfish can cause irreversible damage to books, wallpaper, photographs, and natural fabrics.
Need a guaranteed solution right now? While DIY sprays can kill the silverfish you see, they won’t reach the nests hidden deep inside your walls or floorboards. If you have a recurring infestation, skip the hassle and let our licensed technicians handle it. 👉 Click here to view our Professional Silverfish Pest Control Service in Dublin
How to Identify a Silverfish Infestation
- Appearance: Torpedo-shaped bodies, approx. 10-12mm long, with three distinct bristles (or cerci) at the tail.
- Droppings: Tiny, pepper-like black specks left on paper or in cupboards.
- Damage: Yellow stains, holes, or “surface scraping” on cardboard, wallpaper, and clothes.
Habits
- Silver fish do not have wings but are able to run very fast.
- They are extremely common in Ireland and are usually seen in moist, humid areas in the home, such as bathrooms, basements, and attics.
- They feed off molds and starchy materials like cereals, flour, sweet foods, paper, curtains, and wallpaper items. They can also survive by eating human debris such as hair or dead skin.
- They can live up to a year without food, but require an environment of high humidity.
- They move fast and are by nature nocturnal.
Threats
These insects are mainly a nuisance pest because they can contaminate food and damage paper goods such as wallpaper and books. They can reproduce quickly by laying up to 60 eggs every day, that they hide in small crevices (making them hard to find and treat).
The vast majority of calls we receive for silverfish treatments are located in Dublin city centre, and apartments rather than houses.
Housekeeping:
- Refrain from keeping old books and magazines in areas where silverfish are usually found like basements, attics and garages.
- Food items such as flour and sugar should be kept in tight containers.
Why Are Silverfish in My House?
Silverfish thrive in the typical Irish climate. They require high humidity (above 75%) to survive and breed. Poor ventilation in bathrooms, leaking pipes, or condensation in modern, heavily insulated Dublin apartments create the perfect breeding ground for them.
DIY vs. Professional Extermination
Many homeowners search for “how to get rid of silverfish” and try store-bought insecticidal sprays or powders. While these can offer temporary relief for a minor problem, silverfish are notorious for hiding their eggs deep behind skirting boards and under insulation. For a complete eradication, a professional silverfish treatment is highly recommended to break the breeding cycle permanently.
Long-term Prevention – Control Humidity
- One option is to install a dehumidifier in your home.
- Other options are to identify and repair leaky pipes and drains
- Eliminate or repair any moldy/wet wood or walls.
- Improve ventilation in bathroom (e.g. bigger fan)
- Fit an electric fan heater to raise temperature and evaporate condensation in shower room
- Do not use a clothes horse indoors. Rather use a condenser dryer (“A” rated dryers cost less than 30c in electricity per cycle).
- Cracks in skirting boards and walls should be filled to prevent silverfish harbourage
ASK A SILVERFISH CONTROL SPECIALIST
DIY Treatments - Get Rid of Silverfish Yourself
If you have a small infestation and have already repaired the issues with humidity, you can catch the remaining silverfish using our professional glue traps (non-toxic).
You can also treat the areas yourself to get rid of the remaining silverfish. We recommend spraying the floor/wall junctions with a residual insecticide such as Protector C, as this insect moves along the structure.
Once applied, Protector C is odourless and leaves a residue that kills silverfish for up to 3 months. Click on the picture for more details on Protector C or to buy online.
For more widespread silverfish infestations in wall cavities, attics or under floorboards, you can take further action using some insecticide dust. Diatomaceous Earth such as Desi-Dust is a natural, non-toxic clay that is ideal to use in such areas. If kept dry it will be effective for many months. Dust is also recommended where liquid sprays cannot be used, e.g. behind ovens & refrigerators, at electrical outlets, attic insulation, etc.
Can Silverfish Harm You?
The short answer is NO. They don’t spread disease or bite humans. However, they do damage many things around your home, and especially if they are made of paper. These insects can destroy wallpapers, printing paper and books. This is because of the glue contained in these items that silverfish eat to live.
