You wake up in the morning, head towards the bathroom, and as you pull away the shower curtain your eyes fall upon a silverfish. Gasp! Silverfish have to be one of the most alien-looking creatures on the planet. Let’s face it, we’ve all come across these insects at some point in our lives, probably more times than we’d like to remember. So what’s the best way to combat these insects and take back our bathrooms and our homes?

Dehumidify the Air

Silverfish need a high moisture climate, about 70 to 80 percent humidity, and this is why many times we find them in our bathrooms and kitchen sinks. One way to decrease the amount of moisture in the air is to buy a dehumidifier. Small ones usually go for about $50. Make sure you have no leaking pipes or faucets, and get rid of any standing water. Silverfish can go up to one year without food, but they can not survive long without a high moisture environment. Taking this step can greatly reduce their population.

Clean, Clean, and Clean Some More!

Silverfish love food, especially carbohydrates and protein. They will seek out any little crumbs that may have fallen on the floor. Vacuum all the cracks and crevices in your home, and make sure all food, especially dry food, is properly sealed and stored. Maintaining a clean home environment, with regular vacuuming, is an excellent way of ridding your home of these pests.

Use Insecticides

Since Silverfish love the dark, they tend to hide out in sheltered areas. Spray an insecticide in cracks and crevices, around floor moldings, and behind furniture. Use insecticide products containing propoxur, bendiocarb, boric acid, dichlorvos, diazinon, chlorpyrifos, malathion, pyrethrins, or resmethrin. If you have children, please make sure you take the necessary precautions before and after using any of these products. For long term control, you can use Silverfish Paks, which slide easily into closets or under couches.

Silverfish prefer lower home levels, but they can be found making their home in your attic, so don’t forget to check your attic or crawlspaces for these nasty pests.

By combining all three methods of dehumidifying the air, thoroughly cleaning, and insecticide use, you will have those silverfish heading for the hills. The good news is that once you rid your home of an infestation, they rarely ever re-infest. The better news is that you get the shower all to yourself again.