Paperfish in a rental apartment quickly cause uncertainty: Does the tenant need to take action, or is the landlord responsible?
There is no blanket answer. The first step is to properly assess the infestation and clarify together whether only one apartment or possibly several areas of the building are affected.
Identifying paperfish reliably
Paperfish are primarily nocturnal and usually hide during the day in joints, behind skirting boards, under furniture, or in cavities.
They resemble silverfish, but are often larger and have particularly long antennae and tail appendages.
Paperfish are not considered an immediate health hazard. However, they can damage paper- and starch-based materials, such as:
- Books and files
- Wallpaper
- Cardboard boxes
- Pictures and paper products
- Wallpaper paste components
A single insect does not necessarily indicate a severe infestation. However, repeated sightings or catches in several rooms should be taken seriously.
What tenants should do now
Tenants should inform the landlord or property management company in writing as soon as possible.
The report should include:
- date of the first sighting
- affected rooms
- exact locations where found
- frequency of sightings
- possible damage to paper, books, or wallpaper
- measures already carried out
Photos of the insects and locations where they were found are helpful.
Before treating the infestation independently with sprays or other products, it should be documented. Otherwise, it will later be difficult to determine how severe the infestation originally was.
What landlords and property managers should do
Landlords or property managers should first have it checked whether the insects are actually paperfish and how far the infestation has spread.
Important questions include:
- Are several rooms affected?
- Have reports been received from other apartments?
- Are there connections through joints, cavities, or service shafts?
- Are shared areas of the building affected?
- Have pest control measures already been carried out?
If several apartments are affected, the investigation should not be limited to a single rental apartment.
Documenting an infestation correctly
Simple documentation helps tenants and landlords make further decisions.
Photos and sighting log
The following should be recorded:
- Date and time
- Room and exact location where found
- Number of insects observed
- Photos of the insects
- possible feeding marks or shed skins
Using glue traps
Glue traps can help identify areas of increased activity and determine how far the infestation has spread.
Suitable locations include:
- along skirting boards
- behind or under furniture
- along known travel routes
- in front of joints and openings to cavities
- near bookshelves or cardboard boxes
The traps should be numbered and checked regularly.
However, the numbers caught do not indicate the exact total number of insects. They are primarily used to compare different locations and periods.
Who pays the costs?
Whether tenants or landlords must bear the costs of inspection and control depends on the individual circumstances.
The following may be significant:
- when it was first noticed
- the extent of the infestation
- affected areas of the building
- a possible infestation in other apartments
- possible routes of introduction
- measures already taken
A paperfish infestation alone does not prove that the tenant caused it. Likewise, an infestation does not automatically mean that the landlord is responsible.
In the event of a dispute over costs, responsibility, or a possible rent reduction, tenants should consult a tenants’ association, landlord advisory service, or legal adviser specializing in tenancy law.
Why sprays alone are often not enough
Paperfish often live in hard-to-reach joints and cavities. Untargeted treatment frequently fails to reach these areas.
Possible consequences:
- Visible insects are controlled, while hidden insects remain
- The extent of the infestation may be more difficult to assess later
- Unnecessary residues may remain
- Residents, pets, or materials may be exposed
A step-by-step approach is more effective:
- Identify the species
- Document the infestation
- Check for spread
- Select appropriate measures
- Monitor success with glue traps
The Paperfish Set from Kaeferling Pro offers commercial customers a comprehensive solution for systematic infestation recording and monitoring. It enables targeted monitoring of activity hotspots and traceable documentation of infestation development, thereby providing the basis for an efficient control strategy.
Conclusion
Tenants should report and document a paperfish infestation at an early stage. Landlords and property managers should check whether only one apartment or several areas of the building are affected.
Only once the species, extent of the infestation, and routes of spread are known can you decide which measures make sense and who is responsible for further action.
A coordinated approach between tenant, landlord, and, where applicable, a professional pest control company is usually more effective than rushed individual measures.
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Use biocides safely. Always read the label and product information before use.
This article does not constitute legal advice.
