Step 3: Seal the Gaps — Quietly, Thoroughly
Silverfish slip in through cracks no wider than a credit card.
- Caulk gaps around pipes, windows, and door frames.
- Install fine mesh over crawl space vents.
- Check foundation cracks—even hairline ones—especially near plumbing.
A $5 tube of silicone caulk and a Saturday morning?
That’s all it takes to say: “This is our home. We tend it.”
Step 4: Try Kind, Effective Traps
Glass Jar Trap (The Gentle Catch)
→ Wrap a clean glass jar with masking tape (they’ll climb right up).
→ Place a small piece of bread or raw potato inside as bait.
→ Set near sightings overnight. In the morning, slide a lid on, carry outside, and tip them into the garden or compost.
→ Repeat as needed.
Essential Oil Spray (Aromatic Deterrent)
→ Mix: 10 drops cedarwood + 5 drops lavender + 1 cup water in a spray bottle.
→ Lightly mist baseboards, under sinks, behind toilets.
→ Reapply weekly.
(Silverfish hate these scents—but pets and people find them calming.)
Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth
→ Sprinkle a thin line in corners, under appliances, behind toilets.
→ It’s a natural mineral powder—harmless to humans and pets, but dehydrates insects gently.
→ Vacuum and reapply monthly.
What Not to Do
- Don’t spray indiscriminately. Chemicals won’t fix dampness—and may harm pets or air quality.
- Don’t ignore repeat sightings. One silverfish? Curiosity. Three? A colony forming.
- Don’t feel ashamed. Even the cleanest, most loved homes get them—it’s about conditions, not cleanliness.
A Final Thought
Silverfish have survived ice ages, asteroid strikes, and the rise and fall of forests.
They’re not here to conquer your home.
