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Banish silverfish from homes by doing 1 thing after showering
With silverfish sightings peaking in late summer, bathroom experts share simple steps to deter the pests. Drying your shower after use, running extractor fans, and reducing humidity are among the top tips from Sam Davies, Director at Age Care Bathrooms.
As summer turns to autumn, UK households are reporting an uptick in silverfish activity, with August and the late summer months marking peak season for the wingless insects. According to recent data, online searches for how to get rid of silverfish have risen by 15% over the last quarter, reflecting growing concern among residents.
Silverfish thrive in humidity levels between 55% and 70%, conditions commonly found in British homes, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. The UK's naturally damp climate provides an ideal environment for these resilient insects, which can survive for many months without food.
Why silverfish are a nuisance
While silverfish pose no direct threat to humans, they can cause significant damage to household belongings. Their diet includes household paper, wallpaper adhesive, pantry dry goods such as flour and oats, and natural fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen. They also feed on dead insects. Infestations often leave behind telltale signs, including droppings, shed skin, and damage to books, wallpaper, and textiles.
Expert tips to deter silverfish
Sam Davies, Director at Age Care Bathrooms, has shared practical advice for homeowners looking to keep silverfish at bay. Central to his guidance is moisture control. "Silverfish thrive in damp environments, which means bathrooms can provide the perfect conditions for them to hide and breed," Davies said. "Taking a few seconds to wipe down wet surfaces, especially around shower trays, baths and sinks, is a simple way to keep your bathroom drier between uses."
Beyond wiping down surfaces, Davies recommends washing and drying bath mats regularly. "Bath mats can quickly become a warm, sheltered space for silverfish to hide, especially when they are left damp," he said. "Hanging your bath mat over the bath or shower rail after use can help it dry faster and remove a potential hiding spot for pests."
Ventilation is another crucial factor. Davies advises running extractor fans for 15 to 20 minutes after showering and keeping them well-maintained. "It is also important to clean your extractor fan every few months and check it is working effectively, as dust and dirt build-up can reduce how efficiently it removes damp air," he said. For bathrooms without strong extraction, opening a window or leaving the door ajar can help prevent moisture from becoming trapped.
Homeowners with persistent humidity problems may consider using a dehumidifier. Additionally, Davies recommends inspecting for hidden leaks, as silverfish are drawn to consistent moisture. "A small leak under a sink, behind a toilet or around pipework can create the perfect hiding spot," he said.
Sealing gaps around pipes and fittings and replacing cracked or damaged silicone around baths and showers can also help. Davies advises against storing cardboard and paper products in bathrooms, as silverfish feed on the starches found in these materials. Storing items in airtight containers and reducing clutter can provide extra protection by limiting potential hiding spots.
Recognising the signs of an infestation
Identifying a silverfish problem early can prevent more extensive damage. Regular sightings in dark, damp areas, small black droppings, and visible damage to paper or fabrics are common indicators. While a single sighting may not signal an infestation, repeated appearances or signs of activity warrant attention.
How each outlet told it
Daily Express
Framing: Emphasizes a single task to keep silverfish out of bathrooms, focusing on the action rather than the pest itself. — Advisory — 'There's one simple task that's of paramount importance' and 'another underrated yet highly effective step'.
Facts Included:
Silverfish are on the rise in the UK, with August and late summer marking peak season.
Silverfish thrive in humidity between 55-70%.
Searches for how to get rid of silverfish are up 15% in the last quarter.
Silverfish can damage books, wallpaper, fabrics, and leave droppings and shed skin.
Their diet includes household paper, wallpaper adhesive, pantry dry goods, natural fabrics, and dead insects.
Sam Davies, Director at Age Care Bathrooms, provides tips.
Key tip: dry shower and bath after use.
Other tips: wash/dry bath mats, run extractor fan 15-20 minutes after showering, clean fan, open window/door, use dehumidifier, check for leaks, seal gaps, avoid storing cardboard/paper in bathroom.
Framing: Similar headline emphasizing a single task after showering to banish silverfish from homes. — Practical — 'There's one straightforward task that's absolutely vital' and 'another overlooked yet remarkably effective measure'.
Facts Included:
Silverfish are becoming increasingly common in the UK, with August and late summer being peak season.
Silverfish thrive in humidity levels between 55-70%.
Online searches for how to eliminate silverfish have risen 15% in the last quarter.
Silverfish can damage books, wallpaper, textiles, and leave droppings and moulted skin.
Their food sources include paper, wallpaper paste, dry goods, natural fabrics, and dead insects.
Sam Davies, Director at Age Care Bathrooms, provides tips.
Key tip: dry shower and bath after use.
Other tips: wash/dry bath mats, run extractor fan, clean fan, open window/door, use dehumidifier, check for leaks, seal gaps, avoid storing cardboard/paper in bathroom.
Additional tip: store items in airtight containers and remove clutter.
Each row is one claim, attributed to the outlet whose wording states it most clearly. Confidence rates how directly the source text states the claim — explicit and unhedged rates high; hedged, pieced-together, or internally inconsistent statements rate lower. It does not measure whether the claim is true. Status counts the distinct outlets we found asserting it — so a single-source claim can still show high confidence, and a multi-source claim can show medium. Every one of those outlets is named beside the status, so you can check the count against the list. For claims extracted before we began storing that list, the row says so: it names the outlet the claim is quoted from and states that we have not recorded which outlets backed it. Outlets wrote at different times, so a figure that evolves — a casualty count, for example — can legitimately differ between rows; check the "as of" time next to each claim's source.
Claim
Confidence
Status
ClaimSilverfish are on the rise in the UK, with August and late summer marking peak season.
ClaimSilverfish feed on household paper, wallpaper adhesive, pantry dry goods such as flour and oats, natural fabrics including cotton, silk, and linen, and dead insects.
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Silverfish are often spotted in bathrooms because they are attracted to warm, humid environments. However, seeing one silverfish does not always mean you have an infestation, so homeowners should look for repeated sightings or signs of activity such as droppings and damage.'
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Silverfish thrive in damp environments, which means bathrooms can provide the perfect conditions for them to hide and breed. Taking a few seconds to wipe down wet surfaces, especially around shower trays, baths and sinks, is a simple way to keep your bathroom drier between uses.'
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Bath mats can quickly become a warm, sheltered space for silverfish to hide, especially when they are left damp. Hanging your bath mat over the bath or shower rail after use can help it dry faster and remove a potential hiding spot for pests.'
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Keeping your fan running for around 15 to 20 minutes after showering can help remove lingering moisture. It is also important to clean your extractor fan every few months and check it is working effectively, as dust and dirt build-up can reduce how efficiently it removes damp air.'
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Opening a window or leaving the bathroom door open after showering can help improve ventilation and prevent moisture from becoming trapped in the room. This is particularly important in bathrooms without strong extraction.'
ClaimSam Davies said: 'Silverfish are often attracted to areas with consistent moisture, even if the damp is not immediately obvious. A small leak under a sink, behind a toilet or around pipework can create the perfect hiding spot.'