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Silverfish thrive in the damp, humid areas of Victoria homes, including bathrooms, basements, and closets. Once inside, they damage books, paper, clothing, and stored food, and they reproduce quickly if conditions allow it.
Getting rid of them safely and effectively is what we do, call today to get rid of silverfish before they start showing up in more places that they really don’t belong.
Silverfish reproduce quickly. If you are finding them in multiple rooms, call today before the activity spreads further.
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Silverfish are small, wingless insects between half an inch and one inch long, with a flat body that tapers toward the tail, giving them a distinctly fish-like shape. They are silver-grey with a metallic sheen and move in a quick, side-to-side motion. Nocturnal by habit, they tend to scatter when disturbed, which is why most homeowners spot them darting across bathroom floors or out of storage areas at night.
Silverfish do not bite humans or pets and are not known to transmit disease, so they pose no direct physical threat. The concern with silverfish is the damage they do to belongings, feeding quietly on books, clothing, stored food, and other starchy materials, often without being noticed until items are already affected. They can also trigger allergic reactions in some people, which is reason enough to address activity rather than ignore it.
Silverfish feed on starchy and organic materials, targeting a wide range of household items including books, paper, photos, glue, clothing, natural fabrics like cotton and silk, leather, carpet, and stored foods such as sugar and coffee. Because they are nocturnal and stay hidden, the damage tends to accumulate in storage areas, closets, and bookshelves before it is noticed. Items stored undisturbed for long periods are particularly at risk.
Victoria’s coastal climate creates reliable conditions for silverfish because they require high humidity, between 75 and 90 percent, to thrive. Bathrooms, basements, crawlspaces, and poorly ventilated storage areas in Victoria homes regularly provide that environment. Humidity is what draws silverfish in initially, and the food sources inside those spaces are what keep them there.
Silverfish are most commonly found in bathrooms, basements, garages, closets, and attics where humidity is higher and activity is infrequent. They hide in cracks, behind baseboards, and within stacks of paper, books, or cardboard boxes. Because they avoid light and stay active at night, they can be well established in a space before they are ever noticed.
Yes, silverfish move through a home as they search for food and moisture. An infestation that starts in a damp basement or bathroom can extend into closets, storage rooms, and other areas if the humidity drawing them in is not addressed. Calling before activity appears in multiple rooms makes the problem considerably easier to manage.
Silverfish will not leave on their own. They can live for two to eight years and survive more than a year without food, making them unusually persistent compared to most household pests. As long as the humidity conditions that drew them in remain unchanged, the population will continue to build.
Yes, silverfish can cause significant damage to clothing, books, and stored items, often without being noticed until the harm is already done. Clothing stored in closets or boxes, books on shelves in humid rooms, and photos or documents in storage are all at risk. Items that sit untouched for long periods, particularly in basements or attics, are where silverfish tend to cause the most damage before anyone realises it.
PSI serves communities across the south island, from Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula through Greater Victoria and out to Sooke, along with the Gulf Islands and into the Nanaimo area. Victoria’s coastal humidity makes silverfish a consistent problem throughout this region in homes of all ages and types. The same licensed team responds across the full service area.
Silverfish are persistent insects that live for years and can survive without food for extended periods. Surface treatments rarely reach the hidden areas where they are nesting, and without addressing the humidity conditions that draw them in, the activity continues regardless of what products are applied. With over 30 years of experience and more than 100,000 service visits across the south island, PSI’s team understands how silverfish behave in Victoria homes and what it takes to settle the activity at the source.
