Silverfish Control in Edmonton

Why do I have silverfish in my Edmonton home?

Silverfish are attracted to humidity and starchy food like paper, glue and cardboard. In Edmonton homes they're most common in bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements and storage areas where moisture builds up.

Silverfish are small (about 12 to 19 mm), wingless and silvery-grey, with a carrot-shaped body and three bristles at the tail. They're nocturnal and quick, so most people spot them when they turn on the bathroom light or move a box in the basement. They can live for several years and survive long periods without food, which is why populations build slowly and quietly.

Our dry winters actually help keep silverfish down in heated living spaces. The problem spots are rooms that stay humid: bathrooms with undersized fans, basements that take on moisture during spring melt, and laundry rooms with dryers vented poorly. Older homes and basement suites are more prone to these conditions.

Silverfish, firebrats or earwigs: what's in the bathroom?

Silverfish are silvery and carrot-shaped with three tail bristles. Firebrats look similar but are mottled brown and prefer hot spots like furnace rooms. Earwigs are darker, with pincers at the tail. All three like moisture, but they need slightly different treatment.

Firebrats are less common than silverfish but do turn up near furnaces, water heaters and dryer vents in Edmonton basements, where it's warm all winter. Earwigs come in from outside in late summer, especially in homes with mulch or garden beds against the foundation. A quick photo sent with your call helps us confirm which one you have.

Silverfish in basement suites and condos

Basement suites and older condo buildings are where silverfish are most persistent. Shared plumbing walls, below-grade humidity and limited ventilation create ideal conditions, and silverfish move between units through pipe chases. Landlords and condo boards get the best results by treating the affected suite, checking the units sharing its plumbing walls, and fixing ventilation at the same time.

When DIY is enough

If you only see the odd silverfish in the tub, lowering the humidity and storing paper in sealed bins is often enough. Call a professional if you see them in several rooms, find damage to books, photos or clothing, or they keep coming back after you've dried things out.

Do silverfish damage clothes, books and photos?

They can. Silverfish feed on starches and proteins, so they nibble paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, photos and natural fabrics like cotton, linen and silk, especially items stored in damp basements.

The damage looks like irregular holes, scraped surfaces and yellowish stains. It's usually slow, so many people only notice when they open a box that's been sitting on a basement floor for a year or two. If you store documents, family photos, books or seasonal clothing in the basement, move them into sealed plastic bins on shelves, and check them once or twice a year. Valuable items should go in climate-controlled storage on an upper floor.

How much does silverfish control cost in Edmonton?

Typical market prices for silverfish treatment in an Edmonton home range from about $150 to $300. Larger homes, multi-unit buildings or widespread activity may need more than one visit.

Many customers combine silverfish treatment with other indoor work such as ant control. If you're not sure what's in the basement, a pest inspection identifies it first. See Edmonton pest control pricing or call (780) 262-3335 for an exact quote.

Keep silverfish from coming back

• Run bathroom fans during and for 20–30 minutes after showers
• Use a dehumidifier in damp basements, especially during spring melt
• Store books, papers and seasonal clothing in sealed plastic bins off the floor
• Fix dripping taps, sweating pipes and leaks under sinks
• Seal gaps around pipes and baseboards in bathrooms and laundry rooms