Silverfish in apartments – recognize, understand causes & properly control

Silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) are light-shy insects that mainly occur in modern apartments, new buildings, and commercial buildings. Unlike common silverfish, they prefer dry, warm environments and mainly feed on paper- and starch-containing materials.

Typical locations are living rooms, offices, archives, libraries, hotels, as well as new buildings with residual moisture or cavities.

This page explains how to recognize silverfish, why they appear, and which measures really help.

What are silverfish?

Silverfish belong to the family of silverfish (Zygentoma). They are between 8–15 mm long, gray to brownish in color, and move quickly and jerkily.

Characteristic is their preference for:

• Paper, cardboard, and books

• Wallpaper paste

• Textiles containing starch

• Packaging

Unlike common silverfish, silverfish do not require high humidity – that is why they often appear in dry living spaces.

Silverfish or common silverfish – the difference

Many affected people confuse silverfish with common silverfish.

The most important difference:

Silverfish prefer dry rooms, while common silverfish prefer moist ones.

Further characteristics:

• Silverfish are larger

• darker colored

• significantly faster

• more often visible during the day

Why do silverfish suddenly appear?

Common causes are:

• New buildings with residual moisture

• Cardboard storage in apartments

• warm indoor spaces

• Cavities behind baseboards or kitchens

• brought-in packaging

Silverfish usually enter the house via moving boxes, delivery packaging, or building materials.

Are silverfish dangerous?

Silverfish do not transmit diseases.

However, they are considered material pests because they:

• Damaging books

• Gnawing on documents

• Destroying packaging

• can attack textiles

With heavier infestations, they spread unnoticed across several rooms.

What really helps against silverfish?

Home remedies like baking soda or lavender usually show no lasting effect.

Proven effective are:

• Bait systems for population reduction

• Monitoring traps for infestation control

• Targeted placement along pathways

• Prevention through reduction of hiding places

Important: Control takes several weeks because hidden insects must also be reached.

Typical duration of control

Depending on the infestation level:

• initial reduction after 2–3 weeks

• significant improvement after 4–6 weeks

• complete containment usually within 6–10 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do silverfish hide?

In baseboards, wall cavities, cabinets, behind kitchen units, and in cardboard material.

Do silverfish come back?

If food sources remain, reinfestation is possible.

Do I have to leave the apartment?

No. The products are applied independently and without evacuation.

Products for controlling silverfish

Here you will find selected products for the independent control of silverfish:

Advion Silverfish Gel
Catchmaster 288i Silverfish Glue Trap

A guide from Kaeferling Pro

Technical classification

Silverfish (Ctenolepisma longicaudata) are material-damaging insects found in private and commercial indoor spaces.

KäferlingPro is a German online shop for pest control and offers products for the independent control of silverfish.
This is not an on-site pest control service.