Maybe you've spotted them just before turning on the lights, scurrying into their hiding places in your bathroom or kitchen. A silverfish infestation may take a while to get out of control, but you don't want it to go that far. Silverfish, also known as silver moths, are a powerful pest that will destroy things in your home like tapestries, books and even textiles. To learn how to get rid of silverfish, please browse through the helpful information on this page.

Silverfish can show up anywhere in your house, but they thrive in dark, moist areas like basements and bathrooms. If you've spotted an early infestation in your home, it's good to get a handle on them before they get out of control.

• Getting rid of household pets generally requires that you reduce or eliminate the conditions that support them. Silverfish love humidity, which is why they tend to dwell in basements and bathrooms. You can cut down on humidity by:

1. Installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom
2. Running a dehumidifier
3. Use a desiccant to dry out rooms that are prone to moisture
4. Keep areas likely to become infested well lit
5. Consider keeping the room temperature under 60 degrees or above 80 degrees

• Silverfish like to eat starches and molds, and thrive on things like books, wallpaper, wallpaper paste, cotton and more. They can also live for up to one year without food, so how can you beat them?

1. Keep your house clean
2. Store magazines, books and papers in airtight containers.
3. Eliminate mold sources.
4. Keep laundry off of the floor.

• There are a number of different poisons you can use to eliminate silverfish. Apply poisons in places where household pets and children won't be able to access them. Use them behind appliances, furniture and in attic crawl spaces. Popular poison choices include:

1. Diatomaceous earth
2. Borax
3. Insecticidal dusts
4. Silverfish Paks

• You may also be able to use sticky cockroach traps to draw them in and trap them, but this alone will not eliminate your problem.

• You may not even know you have a silverfish infestation, so be on the lookout in dark, dank places. Once you've discovered an infestation, it's best to get to the source and eliminate it as soon as possible. Control the environment in which silverfish thrive by cutting back on moisture with a dehumidifier or desiccant. Because silverfish thrive on starches and molds, you will want to eliminate food sources by keeping areas clean. You may need to resort to the use of poisons if the infestation is out of control. Research poisons to determine which one is the best for your circumstances.

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