Silverfish in Perth
Noticed small, silvery insects moving quickly across your bathroom floor or disappearing into dark corners? Silverfish are small, wingless insects that prefer sheltered environments and are commonly associated with areas of higher humidity. They can feed on materials containing starches, sugars and cellulose, including paper, cardboard, books and some fabrics. Learn how to recognise silverfish, where they may hide and how to reduce activity around your property.
Common signs of silverfish activity
Silverfish are fast-moving insects that prefer concealed areas. You may first notice them in bathrooms or cupboards, but signs of activity can also appear around stored items and vulnerable materials.
Fast-moving silver insects
Small, elongated, wingless insects moving quickly across floors, walls and sheltered areas.
Activity in damp rooms
Repeated silverfish sightings in bathrooms, laundries, under sinks or near plumbing.
Silverfish near stored items
Insects appearing around books, paperwork, cardboard boxes or stored belongings.
Irregular surface damage
Small scraped, irregular or worn areas on susceptible paper and cardboard materials.
Wallpaper or fabric damage
Unexplained damage to wallpaper adhesives, paper-backed materials or certain fabrics.
Shed skins
Small cast skins or repeated activity around protected cracks, cupboards and storage areas.
Worth noting: Damage to books or fabrics does not automatically confirm silverfish. Look for the insects themselves or other supporting signs before deciding which pest is involved.
Where do silverfish hide?
Silverfish favour dark, protected areas where moisture, shelter and suitable food sources are available. They can remain concealed inside cupboards, beneath fixtures and in small building gaps.
Check the places you rarely look. Under sinks, behind stored cardboard and along cupboard edges are useful areas to investigate for silverfish activity.
Bathrooms and laundries
Protected areas with higher humidity, water sources and suitable shelter.
Cupboards and wardrobes
Enclosed storage spaces containing clothing, paper and other belongings.
Skirting boards
Narrow gaps and sheltered spaces along floor and wall edges.
Beneath sinks
Concealed areas around plumbing, cabinet bases and possible moisture sources.
Cracks and building gaps
Small protected openings around fixtures, flooring and nearby surfaces.
Behind wallpaper
Sheltered wall areas containing wallpaper and suitable adhesives.
Books and cardboard storage
Stored papers, books, boxes and other items left undisturbed.
Roof spaces and quiet corners
Protected locations containing suitable shelter or stored materials.
What attracts silverfish to a property?
Silverfish activity is influenced by environmental conditions, shelter and available food sources. Some areas of the home can provide several of these conditions at once.
Moisture and humidity
Damp areas, leaking plumbing and humid rooms may provide favourable conditions for many silverfish species.
Paper and books
Paper products, book bindings and other stored materials can contain substances silverfish feed on.
Cardboard and stored items
Cardboard boxes and stored belongings can offer both food sources and protected hiding places.
Wallpaper and adhesives
Some paper products, pastes and adhesives contain starches that may attract silverfish.
Some fabrics and textiles
Certain fabrics, especially those with suitable starches or residues, may be susceptible to damage.
Sheltered storage areas
Undisturbed cupboards, dark gaps and poorly ventilated spaces may provide suitable shelter.
What materials can silverfish damage?
Silverfish feed on a range of materials containing suitable carbohydrates and other nutrients. Damage can develop gradually, particularly when susceptible belongings are stored in undisturbed areas.
Books and documents
Silverfish may feed on paper surfaces, bindings and certain adhesives. This can result in small, irregular damaged areas.
Wallpaper and cardboard
Paper-backed materials, cardboard and some starch-based adhesives may provide suitable feeding material.
Clothing and fabrics
Some garments and textiles can be damaged, especially when food residues or suitable fabric treatments are present.
Important: Other household pests can also damage clothing and fabrics. Identifying the insect is important before selecting a treatment approach.
How can you reduce silverfish activity?
Reducing excessive moisture, improving storage conditions and cleaning concealed areas can help make a property less favourable to silverfish. The most suitable steps depend on where the insects are being found.
Learn about Pest Control PerthStart with moisture and storage. Bathrooms, laundry areas and stored paperwork are useful places to check when silverfish keep appearing.
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Reduce excess humidity
Address unnecessarily damp indoor conditions where practical.
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Improve ventilation
Maintain suitable airflow in bathrooms, laundries and other damp areas.
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Repair plumbing leaks
Check dripping taps, leaking pipes and persistent moisture problems.
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Manage cardboard and paper
Avoid accumulating unnecessary boxes, loose papers and clutter.
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Protect important documents
Use suitable sealed storage for vulnerable books, papers and documents.
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Vacuum storage areas
Regularly clean cupboards, skirting boards and accessible hidden spaces.
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Reduce undisturbed clutter
Keep storage areas organised and inspect belongings periodically.
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Seal accessible gaps
Close suitable cracks and gaps where practical, after checking for moisture or other problems.
When is professional silverfish control worth considering?
Professional pest control may be appropriate when silverfish are regularly appearing throughout a property or activity continues despite practical prevention measures.
Because silverfish can remain concealed within cracks, cupboards and other protected spaces, an assessment can help identify likely hiding areas and suitable treatment options.
- Repeated silverfish sightings in bathrooms or storage areas
- Damage to stored books, documents or suitable fabrics
- Activity spreading across several rooms or cupboards
- Continued activity after moisture and clutter reduction
Silverfish in Perth: FAQs
Common questions about silverfish identification, hiding places, property damage and prevention.
What do silverfish look like?
Silverfish are small, wingless insects with elongated, tapering bodies and long antennae. They also have three tail-like appendages at the rear of the body. They can move quickly when disturbed.
Why are silverfish in my bathroom?
Bathrooms may provide the moisture, shelter and protected spaces favoured by many silverfish species. Repeated sightings may be associated with humidity or concealed hiding areas.
Can silverfish damage books and paper?
Yes. Silverfish may feed on substances found in paper products, book bindings, cardboard and certain adhesives. Damage can appear as irregular scraping or small worn patches.
Do silverfish damage clothing?
Some fabrics can be affected, particularly when suitable starches, residues or other feeding materials are present. Other pests can cause similar damage, so identification is important.
Are silverfish dangerous to people?
Silverfish are not known to bite people or transmit diseases through biting. Their main concern in homes is usually repeated activity and possible damage to susceptible items.
Will reducing humidity remove silverfish?
Reducing excessive humidity may make certain areas less favourable to silverfish. However, moisture management alone may not resolve established activity, especially when suitable shelter and food remain.
When should I consider professional pest control?
Professional advice may be useful when silverfish repeatedly appear, spread to multiple areas or are associated with ongoing material damage.
Finding silverfish around your property?
Noticed silverfish in your bathroom, cupboards, wardrobes or storage areas? Contact our Perth pest control team to discuss what you've found and the appropriate next steps for your property.