How to Get Rid of Silverfish in the Bathroom: 17 Bug-Banishing Tips to Reclaim Your Space

Few things are more unsettling than spotting shiny, wriggling insects darting around as you brush your teeth. When learning how to get rid of silverfish in your bathroom, it’s important to intervene as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, bathrooms are prime territory for moisture-loving silverfish, making them one of the most common spaces for an infestation. And wherever there’s one, there are most definitely more. These tips will cover how to get rid of silverfish in the bathroom and keep them from coming back.

1. Minimize Moisture

Chronic moisture is one of the main causes of silverfish, so reducing moisture is key to keeping them away. Start by fixing any leaky faucets or pipes and wiping down wet surfaces immediately after use. It also helps to dry your shower and sink area with a towel or squeegee to eliminate excess water.

2. Run a Dehumidifier

A dehumidifier can effectively reduce the moisture levels in your bathroom, creating an environment that's less attractive to silverfish. Choose a small dehumidifier specifically designed for small spaces to make it easy to store and maintain. Run it regularly, especially after showers, to keep the humidity and moisture levels at a minimum.

3. Improve Ventilation

Improving bathroom ventilation helps keep the space dry and fresh, reducing the high moisture levels silverfish seek out. Be sure to turn on the exhaust fan during and after showers to pull humid air out of the bathroom. If possible, open windows to increase airflow and help keep the space as dry as possible. 

4. Seal Cracks and Gaps

Silverfish can hide in small cracks and crevices, so you’ll want to inspect your bathroom for any gaps around baseboards, pipes, and fixtures. Use caulk on cracks and crevices around windows to make it harder for the insects to get in.

5. Remove Food Sources

While silverfish don’t eat wood like termites do, they love to feed on paper, cardboard, glue, and textiles. Keep your bathroom clear of items like cardboard boxes, tape, and clothing to limit their food sources. They are particularly fond of glossy paper, so magazines and the like should be avoided.

6. Use Commercial Traps

There are several different types of traps available that bait and capture silverfish. They’re not easy to find in many brick-and-mortar store locations, so it’s best to order them online. You can also use sticky roach traps and bait them with small bits of bread or other starchy foods.

7. Create a DIY Glass Jar Trap

If you want a budget-friendly DIY trap, place a glass jar upright and wrap masking tape around the outside of the jar, from the bottom to the very top. Then, put a piece of bread at the bottom of the jar and set the trap in an area where you've noticed silverfish. The tape will help the silverfish get inside, but since silverfish can’t fly and have trouble moving over the slippery glass, they won’t be able to get out again.

8. Trap Silverfish in a Damp Rolled-Up Newspaper

Another simple DIY silverfish trap is a damp, rolled-up newspaper. Take an old newspaper and roll it up, securing the ends with rubber bands. Lightly mist the roll with a spray bottle until it’s damp, but not soaking wet. Place the newspaper in a spot where you’ve seen silverfish and leave it overnight. In the morning, without unrolling it, simply toss the newspaper into your outdoor trash to dispose of the silverfish.

9. Sprinkle Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a natural powder that’s safe for humans but deadly to insects. Sprinkle it lightly around bathroom baseboards, under the sink, and in cracks where you’ve seen silverfish. It works by dehydrating the pests on contact, helping to control the silverfish population.

10. Use Boric Acid

Boric acid is another powder that can eliminate silverfish by dehydrating and poisoning them. Sprinkle it in small amounts around the bathroom, especially in areas where silverfish are likely to crawl. Be careful to use it sparingly and keep it out of reach of pets and children, as it can be harmful if ingested. 

11. Try Chemical Treatment

If the infestation is severe, pyrethrin-based chemical treatments specifically for silverfish may be necessary. These products come in sprays, powders, and aerosols and can be applied in hard-to-reach areas like cracks and crevices. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use, and ventilate the bathroom well after application. These are toxic to people and animals, so keep them out of reach of children and pets.

12. Use Essential Oils

Certain essential oils like lavender, cedarwood, and peppermint are effective at deterring silverfish. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply it near silverfish hiding spots, or soak cotton pads and replace them regularly. Note that most essential oils are toxic to animals, so keep them out of reach—or avoid them completely—if you have any pets.

13. Hang Aromatic Herb Sachets Inside Cabinets

To help deter silverfish, place sachets filled with strongly scented herbs and spices inside your cabinets. You can use ingredients like cinnamon, dried cloves, rosemary, lavender, or any other highly aromatic spice.

14. Declutter

Silverfish can hide in cluttered spaces, so organize bathroom storage areas and dispose of old magazines, cardboard boxes, or other materials that could attract them. Reducing clutter limits hiding spots for silverfish and helps prevent future infestations.

15. Maintain a Regular Cleaning Schedule

Keep the bathroom clean and well-maintained to prevent future infestations. Regularly wipe down surfaces, vacuum any cracks, and check for any new moisture buildup that could attract silverfish. 

16. Inspect the Space Regularly

To keep the pesky insects at bay, inspect the bathroom for signs of a silverfish infestation on a regular basis. Check surfaces for crusty, shed skins and tiny, pepper-like droppings. Examine items like wallpaper, boxes, bundles of newspapers, and book bindings for small scrape marks or frayed edges, as either can indicate ongoing feeding. Even yellowish stains on your clothes or furniture upholstery might point to silverfish invading your home at night, after hiding during the day. 

17. Hire a Professional Exterminator

If you’ve done everything and you’re still seeing the icky, fast-moving insects, or if you just want them gone ASAP, consider hiring a local bug exterminator. Exterminators have access to more powerful treatments and tools to target silverfish directly, plus they can help you come up with a prevention plan to keep them away for good.