How to Get Rid of Silverfish in Perth Homes

What silverfish look like and how to identify them

Silverfish are small, agile insects measuring 13 to 25 millimetres long. They are named for their silvery-grey colour and fish-like appearance. Their body is flattened and covered in scales, with long slender antennae at the front and three long appendages (two cerci and one dorsal anal appendage) at the rear of the abdomen. Newly hatched silverfish are white or translucent but develop their characteristic silvery-grey colour as they mature and their skin hardens.

You may spot silverfish in bookshelves, linen cupboards, wardrobes or bathrooms. They are often found caught in bathtubs and sinks because they cannot climb smooth surfaces. Silverfish are agile and fast-running, so you may only glimpse them briefly before they disappear into a dark space.

A silverfish on a white ceramic surface — Silverfish prefer dark, undisturbed spaces with high humidity, such as cupboards and shelves with stored items.

Why silverfish thrive in Perth homes

Silverfish are nocturnal insects that prefer dark, damp, rarely disturbed places like roof voids, wall cavities, cupboards, wardrobes and bookshelves. They are found in commercial and domestic premises in Australia and favour areas with high humidity.

Silverfish feed on starchy materials: books and book bindings, paper, photographs, glue, carpet, clothes, cotton and wallpaper. They are considered a pest because they can cause extensive damage to valuable items such as photographs, books and other records that cannot easily be replaced.

Where to look for silverfish in your home

Silverfish prefer dark, undisturbed spaces. Check behind bookshelves, inside wardrobes, linen cupboards and storage boxes. Look in drawers with old photographs or documents, and inspect roof voids and sub-floor spaces if you can access them safely. Bathrooms and laundries are common places because of the moisture. Kitchen areas with old papers or cardboard stored nearby are also at risk.

Inspect cracks and gaps around pipes, cable entry points and walls. Silverfish flee when disturbed, so you may only see signs of damage rather than the insects themselves: small holes or grazing marks on paper, photographs, book bindings or textiles. Sticky traps placed in suspect areas can help confirm their presence and extent of activity.

What you can do yourself to reduce silverfish activity

Non-chemical approaches tackle the conditions silverfish rely on. Keep starchy items sealed in dry conditions: store books, photographs and documents in tight-lidded boxes or sealed bags, and keep them in low-humidity areas if possible. Reduce clutter and remove old, unused papers, cardboard boxes and textiles. Improve air circulation by opening wardrobes and cupboards regularly, and use a dehumidifier in bathrooms and laundries if dampness persists. Vacuum regularly to remove food scraps and dead insects that silverfish feed on.

Fix water leaks and wipe down condensation on pipes and tiles. Do not leave damp towels or cloths in cupboards. Seal gaps around pipes, cable entry points and cracks in walls where silverfish might hide. These measures reduce harbourage and make the environment less attractive to silverfish, but established infestations usually need professional treatment to address populations inside inaccessible voids.

What not to do: the supermarket-bomb mistake

A thorough inspection is a prerequisite to any treatment. This should involve moving and opening stored items to ascertain the full extent of the infestation, which may also require sticky traps placed in suspect areas to identify where silverfish are hiding. If you have already sprayed, a professional inspection will tell you whether silverfish populations remain active. Learn more about identifying other household pests in our guide to how to get rid of German cockroaches, another pest often found indoors alongside silverfish.

When to call a professional

Call when silverfish damage is visible on valuable items or when you spot multiple silverfish in your home. You receive a treatment record showing what was applied and where, plus a re-entry period before you can safely use treated areas. Silverfish are often treated alongside other household pests like spiders in the same visit. See general pest control Perth service.

What it costs

A general pest treatment that includes silverfish, along with cockroaches, spiders and ants, runs $250 to $350 for a typical three-bedroom home in Perth's northern suburbs. This is the typical range, itemised in writing after we have seen it. There is no call-out fee for a quote, no deposit and seven-day payment terms. External-only silverfish treatments are quoted case-by-case because the scope depends on the building construction and whether voids are accessible. For details on how your quote is built, see our investment guide.

The paperwork you receive

After treatment, you get a treatment report emailed to you. You also receive a treatment record showing the product name, active constituent, areas treated and re-entry time. We keep the record three years as WA law requires, and you have a copy on request at any time. The six-month re-treatment promise means if silverfish are still active inside the treated areas within six months, we return and re-treat at no charge, subject to you following the after-care instructions we gave you (terms at djpest.com.au/warranty).

Frequently asked

How do silverfish get into homes?

Silverfish are found in roof and wall voids. Once inside, they seek dark, damp places such as cupboards and wardrobes where they can find starchy materials to feed on.

How long do silverfish live?

Silverfish typically live up to four years. They moult throughout their adult life and can reach sexual maturity between three months and two years. Eggs hatch within two to eight weeks.

What damage do silverfish cause?

Silverfish cause extensive damage to paper, books, photographs, textiles and wallpaper. They are considered a pest primarily because of the damage they do to documents, photographs and records. Valuable collections of stored papers and textiles are at risk.

Are silverfish dangerous to people or pets?

Silverfish are considered pests primarily because of the damage they cause to valuable items such as photographs, books and records.

How do I stop silverfish coming back after treatment?

Follow the after-care instructions we provide after your treatment. Store valuable papers and textiles in sealed, dry boxes to reduce food sources. Keep items such as books, papers and photographs in dry conditions, sealed in bags or tight-lidded boxes. Reduce clutter and remove old, unused papers and cardboard. Pests can re-enter from neighbouring properties, so the re-treatment period applies (terms at djpest.com.au/warranty).

Is the general pest treatment safe for my children and pets?

You receive an exact re-entry period before children, pets and aquariums can re-enter treated areas. Follow this period strictly. We confirm the re-entry time with you before we start treatment so you can plan your family's day. Tell us if you have sensitive pets so we can discuss your circumstances on the quote.

Can I treat silverfish myself with products from the hardware store?

The label is the most important source of information for safe pesticide use. Read it carefully and follow all instructions exactly. The label tells you how much pesticide to use, how to apply it, and what protective equipment to wear. A professional treatment begins with a thorough inspection to find the extent of the problem. Check the APVMA product register at PubCRIS to find registered products suitable for silverfish.

Sources

Text your suburb and what you're seeing to 0468 170 107 for a written price.

General Pest Control Perth, the full service and the investment
Every guide on silverfish
Pest management investment ranges in Perth, every service with a typical range
What's my pest?, pick what you saw
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