Cost to Get Rid of Silverfish
Getting rid of silverfish means finding the humid areas, hiding spots, and food sources that support them, then cleaning, trapping, and treating nesting areas. This is an easy DIY task for a manageable problem: decluttering, deep cleaning, lowering indoor humidity, and storing dry goods in airtight containers can all help reduce the population.
Common reasons homeowners do this job
- Silverfish are appearing in humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms.
- Storage areas have clutter that creates hiding spots.
- Grains, stored paper products, or other starchy materials are available as food sources.
- Book bindings, clothing, or upholstery show signs of damage.
- Leaks or high indoor humidity are supporting the infestation.
DIY or call a pro?
A professional pest control service is worth considering for a severe or persistent infestation. For a smaller problem, DIY treatment can include cleaning, reducing humidity, setting jar traps, and applying boric acid where silverfish nest. Wear gloves when handling boric acid, and keep it away from children and pets because it is toxic if ingested.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I get rid of silverfish myself, or should I hire help?
- A manageable infestation is DIY-friendly when the likely food sources, humid areas, and hiding places can be identified and addressed. Consider professional pest control when the infestation is severe or continues after cleaning, humidity reduction, traps, and treatment.
- What makes silverfish treatment more expensive?
- The price can rise with the size of the job, labor time, and materials. Small treatments may also be affected by a minimum or trip charge.
- Where should I look for silverfish before setting traps?
- Start with high-humidity spaces: bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Also inspect cupboards, behind ovens and refrigerators, storage areas, the pantry, and places with stored paper products; damage to book bindings, clothing, or upholstery can be a sign of activity.
- How do I make a glass-jar silverfish trap?
- Wrap a glass jar in masking tape and place a piece of bread inside. Set the trap while also addressing humidity, cleaning, clutter, and food storage, since those steps target the hiding places and food sources that support silverfish.
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