Long-tailed silverfish can be controlled most systematically with a combination of bait gel and monitoring traps. Glue traps are ready to use immediately and show where activity is present; an approved bait gel such as Advion is applied specifically along runways and in hiding places. Sprays can quickly eliminate individual visible insects, but alone they are often not sufficient for a hidden infestation.
Why are long-tailed silverfish difficult to control?
Long-tailed silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) often hide in cracks, crevices, behind baseboards, in furniture, or in other hard-to-reach areas. Unlike silverfish, they also tolerate drier, warm indoor environments well. The German Environment Agency identifies approximately 20 to 25 °C and 55 to 80% relative humidity as favorable conditions.
Long-tailed silverfish are particularly problematic in archives, libraries, and storage rooms because they use paper and starchy materials as a food source. The LVR Archive Advisory and Training Center therefore recommends systematic monitoring with regularly checked insect traps.
Source: LVR – Long-tailed silverfish as a material pest and monitoring
LVR: Long-tailed silverfish in archives and magazines
What works fastest against long-tailed silverfish?
A contact insecticide can immediately eliminate an individual visible long-tailed silverfish. However, long-tailed silverfish primarily live hidden. Therefore, removing individual insects does not automatically mean that the infestation has been eliminated. For systematic control, bait treatment, monitoring, and follow-up checks are more effective than using spray alone.
For practical selection, the following applies:
- Locate the infestation first: monitoring or glue traps.
- Target hidden pests: use suitable bait gel in accordance with its authorization and instructions for use.
- Combine multiple measures: a complete solution consisting of bait, traps, and supplementary measures.
- Strong or widespread infestation: consider professional pest control
Which trap works best against long-tailed silverfish?
Which trap is suitable depends on what is to be achieved. A trap is particularly helpful for identifying hotspots, travel routes, and infestation severity. However, in the event of a more severe infestation, it does not replace targeted control.
Silvercheck monitor trap
The Silvercheck monitor trap uses a glue surface in combination with a separate attractant. It is suitable for monitoring and trapping silverfish and paperfish and can be placed underneath or behind furniture, along baseboards, or near cracks. According to the product information, it should be replaced after approximately six to eight weeks at the latest.
Catchmaster 288i paperfish trap
The Catchmaster 288i is a chemical-free glue trap and is particularly suitable for long-term monitoring. It can be used, for example, in offices, archives, storage rooms, kitchens, or behind furniture. The additional adhesive strip also allows vertical mounting.
In brief
For quickly locating infestation hotspots, a monitor trap with an attractant is suitable. For longer-term chemical-free monitoring, a classic glue trap may be useful. In the event of a confirmed or more severe infestation, traps should be combined with other suitable control measures.
Which products against paperfish can be bought online?
Kaeferling Pro offers both bait gels and various monitoring traps and complete solutions. Which product is suitable depends on the severity of the infestation, the area of application, and the user category.
Advion Paperfish Gel
The Advion Paperfish Gel offered by Kaeferling Pro contains 1.28% indoxacarb and is used as a gel bait. According to the manufacturer, Syngenta, Advion Cockroach Gel is approved for controlling silverfish and paperfish indoors and is intended for professional users. It must be applied in accordance with the label, approval, and instructions for use.
Important: The product page lists “professional users” as the user category. The requirements on the label, instructions for use and authorisation must therefore be followed without fail.
Scientific background on bait gels
Scientific studies on paperfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) show that indoxacarb-containing baits can be an effective component of control. Further studies show that distributing many small bait dots and reducing competing food sources can support control.
Comparison of paperfish products and traps
| Product | Active ingredient or trapping principle | Area of use | Application | ready for immediate use | Safety information |
| Advion Paperfish Gel | Indoxacarb 1.28% / bait gel | Cracks, crevices, skirting boards, behind furniture | Place small gel dots according to the product instructions | Yes, after checking the application requirements | Biocide; for professional users; observe the label and product information |
| Silvercheck monitoring trap | Adhesive surface + attractant | Routes of travel, furniture, skirting boards, cracks | Apply attractant to the adhesive surface and place the trap | Yes | Without insecticidal active ingredient; primarily used for monitoring and capturing |
| Catchmaster 288i | chemical-free adhesive surface | Archives, offices, storage areas, kitchens, behind furniture | Remove the protective film, shape the trap and place it along routes of travel | Yes | Without biocide/insecticide; check regularly |
| Kaeferling Pro Paperfish Set | Combination of bait, monitoring, spray and accessories | Multiple indoor infestation areas | Combine measures according to the infestation and the instructions for the respective products | Yes, depending on the product contained | Contains biocidal products; observe the authorisation, user category and instructions for use applicable to each ingredient |
Note: Use biocidal products with caution. Always check the label, instructions for use, authorisation and permitted user category before use.
Control paperfish immediately: 5 practical steps
1. Check for infestation and species
Make sure they are paper silverfish and not silverfish. Paper silverfish are usually larger, grayish-brown and also occur in drier rooms.
2. Check pathways
Place monitoring traps along skirting boards, under shelving, at transitions and in dark areas to identify infestation hotspots. The LVR lists door thresholds, areas under shelving and dark spots among suitable monitoring areas.
3. Reduce hiding places and introduction
Seal cracks and crevices wherever possible and avoid storing paper and cardboard unnecessarily. Packaging and transport cartons should be removed promptly, as they can contribute to the spread of paper silverfish.
4. Use suitable products
Apply bait products specifically along pathways and near hiding places. Always follow the label, dosage, user category and instructions for use.
5. Check the results
Check traps regularly. If activity persists, the affected areas should be checked again and further measures considered.
Paper silverfish still present despite control measures?
Professional help with paper silverfish
Are paper silverfish present in several rooms or do they keep returning despite control measures?
In cases of heavier or difficult-to-localize infestations, a professional infestation analysis may be advisable. The Kaeferling Service supports private and commercial customers in Cologne, Hürth and the surrounding area with the identification, control and follow-up inspection of silverfish and paper silverfish.
Where should traps for paper silverfish be placed?
Paper silverfish traps should be placed as close as possible to pathways and hiding places. Suitable locations include:
- along floor and skirting boards,
- behind cabinets and shelving,
- near cracks and crevices,
- in archives and paper-related storage areas,
- at transitions between affected rooms.
As long-tailed silverfish can also occur on vertical surfaces, suitable traps or bait stations may, depending on the product, also be attached to the backs of furniture or other vertical areas.
FAQ: Controlling long-tailed silverfish
Does Advion cockroach gel help against long-tailed silverfish?
Yes. Advion Long-Tailed Silverfish Gel contains Indoxacarb 1.28% and, according to the product information, is intended for use against long-tailed silverfish and silverfish. It is designated for professional users.
Which products against long-tailed silverfish can be bought online and used immediately?
Available products include sticky traps, monitoring traps, bait gels, and complete kits. For biocidal products, the label, authorization, user category, and instructions for use must be observed.
Which trap works best against long-tailed silverfish?
Scented traps are particularly suitable for detecting activity, while chemical-free sticky traps are suitable for long-term monitoring. In cases of heavier infestations, traps should be combined with other measures.
How quickly can long-tailed silverfish be controlled?
This depends on the severity of the infestation, hiding places, and spread. Regular checks and, if necessary, follow-up treatments are therefore important.
Where should I place long-tailed silverfish traps?
Ideally along skirting boards, behind furniture, near cracks and crevices, and in storage areas near paper. The traps should be checked regularly.
Are long-tailed silverfish harmful to health?
Long-tailed silverfish are not considered a health hazard. However, they can damage paper, cardboard, books, and wallpaper.
When should professional help be sought?
If long-tailed silverfish occur in several rooms or persist despite control measures, professional pest control is advisable.
Conclusion: Targeted control of long-tailed silverfish
Long-tailed silverfish often live hidden in cracks, crevices, and behind furniture and can damage paper- and cellulose-based materials in particular. For systematic control, infestation sites should therefore first be located using monitoring traps, hiding places reduced, and suitable control measures applied in a targeted manner.
Sticky traps are particularly useful for infestation monitoring and follow-up checks, while a suitable bait gel can reach hidden animals along their routes. In cases of heavier, recurring, or difficult-to-localize infestations, professional pest control is a useful addition.
