Domakihub How to Get Rid of Silverfish for Good
A practical room-by-room plan to eliminate silverfish and keep them out of your home or rental.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Silverfish are small, wingless insects that thrive in the damp, warm conditions common across Greek homes, holiday rentals, and hotel bathrooms, especially during humid summers. The video above walks through a four-step elimination method; this article expands on those steps with practical advice tailored to Mediterranean properties. Follow the sequence below and you can clear an infestation within two to four weeks without calling a specialist.
What Are Silverfish and Why Are They a Problem?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are fast-moving, fish-shaped insects roughly 1–2 cm long with a distinctive silver shimmer. They eat carbohydrates — paper, wallpaper paste, linen, cotton, and dried food — so a sizeable infestation can quietly destroy documents, books, wardrobe items, and pantry goods long before you notice.
In Greece they are most common in bathrooms, kitchen cupboards, basements, and anywhere cardboard boxes are stored. Old stone or concrete buildings with limited air circulation are especially prone because moisture accumulates in walls and under floors.
How to Spot an Infestation Early
The first signs are usually yellow surface stains or small irregular holes on wallpaper, book covers, or fabric. You may also find the shed skins silverfish leave behind as they moult — thin, transparent husks about the size of the insect. If you see the insects themselves, they are almost always alone and scatter the instant light hits them.
Check under bathroom sinks, behind wall tiles, inside wardrobe bases, and in stacks of old newspapers or cardboard. A quick inspection at night with a torch is the most reliable method because silverfish are strictly nocturnal.
5 Steps to Get Rid of Silverfish
- 1
Reduce moisture throughout the property
Silverfish cannot reproduce successfully in environments where relative humidity stays below about 50 %. Fix dripping taps, seal grout cracks in bathroom tiles, and run an extractor fan or dehumidifier in any room that regularly feels damp. In Greek island properties left empty over winter, a plug-in dehumidifier set on a timer can prevent the spring surge that usually follows months of unoccupied, closed-up rooms.
- 2
Deep-clean and declutter harborage sites
Remove stacks of old paper, cardboard boxes, and excess fabric from cupboards, under beds, and storage areas. Vacuum thoroughly — including along skirting boards and inside wardrobe bases — then wipe surfaces with a diluted vinegar solution. Discard or vacuum up anything silverfish could be actively feeding on, including old cereal packets and loose wallpaper. Fewer hiding spots directly reduces the population.
- 3
Apply a perimeter insecticide or diatomaceous earth
Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) is the safest option where children, pets, or guests are present: dust a thin layer along the base of walls, inside cupboard corners, and around pipe entries. DE is a physical desiccant that cuts through the insect's outer layer — silverfish crossing it dehydrate and die within 48 hours. If DE alone is insufficient, a residual pyrethroid spray (available at Greek hardware stores as 'εντομοκτόνο επαφής') applied to the same zones provides faster knock-down. Always ventilate rooms before re-occupying.
- 4
Set sticky traps or boric acid bait stations
Place yellow glue traps or commercial silverfish traps in each affected room — behind the toilet, under the kitchen sink, and inside wardrobes. Traps serve two purposes: they catch insects and they measure whether the population is declining week by week. Boric acid powder (βορικό οξύ) dusted lightly in enclosed spaces such as the back of drawer units is an effective secondary measure; it acts as a stomach poison when insects walk through it and groom themselves.
- 5
Seal entry points and maintain prevention habits
Caulk gaps around pipe penetrations, fill cracks in grout and plaster, and use door sweeps on any external door that does not seal fully. Store dried food in glass or airtight plastic containers, keep books in low-humidity rooms, and do not stack cardboard near damp walls. Check dehumidifier or extractor fan settings monthly. A single follow-up treatment with DE or spray four to six weeks after the initial clear-out will catch any nymphs that have hatched from eggs deposited before treatment.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted pest control pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Are silverfish dangerous to people or pets?
- No. Silverfish do not bite, sting, or transmit disease. They are purely a property nuisance — the damage they cause is to materials, not to health. However, their shed skins and faeces can aggravate dust allergies in sensitive individuals, so prompt control is still worthwhile.
- How long does it take to get rid of silverfish completely?
- With consistent humidity control, cleaning, and one or two treatments you should see a clear reduction within 2–3 weeks. Full elimination typically takes 4–6 weeks because silverfish eggs are tough and may hatch after initial treatment. A follow-up application of diatomaceous earth or spray at week four is important to break the breeding cycle.
- Do I need a professional pest-control company for silverfish?
- For most homes and rentals, DIY methods are fully sufficient. A professional is worth considering if the infestation is building-wide (e.g., a hotel with multiple floors affected), if there is underlying structural moisture you cannot fix yourself, or if treatments have failed after two full cycles. Pest-control companies in Greece typically use residual insecticide applications and can also identify hidden moisture sources in walls.