Silverfish in GTA Homes: Why They Are There

Silverfish are small, silver-grey insects with a teardrop shape and three tail-like appendages. They have been on Earth for over 400 million years, but that does not mean you want them in your Toronto home.

Do Silverfish Cause Damage?

Silverfish do not bite or spread disease, but they do cause damage. They chew on books, wallpaper paste, cereal boxes, photographs, and natural fabrics. Over time, a silverfish infestation can ruin stored documents and damage the walls in older GTA homes.

Why Silverfish Are in Your Home

Silverfish need two things to survive: high humidity and carbohydrates. Your basement or bathroom provides the moisture. Your book collection and pantry provide the food.

Silverfish thrive when relative humidity stays above 75 percent. In GTA basements, especially in older homes with crawl spaces and poor ventilation, this is common. A dehumidifier running consistently in your basement is often the most effective first step.

Where to Find Them

Look for silverfish in dark, damp areas. Check behind baseboards, under bathroom sinks, inside storage boxes in the basement, and in wall voids near water pipes. You may also see their shed skins or small pepper-like droppings near their hiding spots.

Treatment and Prevention

The most effective treatment combines moisture control with crack and crevice insect growth regulator application. A licensed operator can apply IGR products in wall voids and behind baseboards where silverfish hide and breed.

For prevention, keep basement humidity below 55 percent. Seal cracks around pipes and baseboards. Store paper products and books in airtight plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes.

Silverfish are common in older GTA neighbourhoods with historic homes. If you have a persistent silverfish problem in your Riverdale or Annex home, get free quotes from licensed silverfish control operators today.