- Risk level
- Low
- Peak season
- All year · worse in humid conditions
- Where you’ll find them
- Roof voids, wardrobes, bookshelves, bathrooms
- DIY?
- Partial
Overview
Silverfish are wingless, ancient insects that feed on starches and cellulose — paper, book bindings, wallpaper glue and fabrics. They breed in roof voids and drop down into wardrobes and cupboards below.
How to identify silverfish
Common silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum)
Silvery, carrot-shaped, 10–12 mm with three bristly tails. Moves quickly with a fish-like wiggle.
Grey silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata)
Larger and greyer; the species most often found in Australian roof voids.
Signs you have a problem
- Small irregular holes or surface grazing on paper, books and photos
- Yellow stains on fabrics and clothes stored in wardrobes
- Tiny pepper-like droppings and shed scales
Why it matters
- Damage to documents, books, photos, clothing and wallpaper
How we treat silverfish
- 1
Roof void dusting
The roof void is dusted with a long-lasting product to reduce the breeding population above the ceiling.
- 2
Internal treatment
Wardrobes, linen cupboards and skirting boards are treated where safe.
Prevention tips you can do today
- Reduce humidity with exhaust fans and good ventilation
- Store papers and photos in sealed plastic containers
- Declutter cardboard boxes and stacks of old newspapers