Silverfish are mostly harmless. Yes, these pests can destroy paper products like wallpaper and silverfish eat books if they get near them, but they don’t spread things like diseases. That being said, they can become irritating, especially if you have dozens of these pests lurking in your bathroom or if you are dealing with silverfish in the bath.

Why do these pests love bathrooms so much?

These pests evolved millions of years ago when the earth was far hotter and more humid. This means they need moist and humid environments in order to survive. Which is why they love bathtubs and bathrooms so much. There’s a constant supply of heat and moisture which allows them to live comfortably.

So, what can you do when silverfish pests invade, and, in particular, what can you do about silverfish in the bath? Firstly, these pests need a way to get into your house. They usually do this through gaps, holes and cracks in your walls. They also come in through gaps around window frames, doorways and pipe openings. These should be sealed up tightly. Another way silverfish get into the bath is up through the plug hole.

Sometimes, you can bring these insects into the house without realising it. Silverfish can be brought inside in contaminated dry food stuffs, or in boxes containing paper or books,

Things you can do to remove silverfish in the bath

Silverfish are not really harmful to humans or pets, but, because they are such a nuisance and do threaten your paper items, it is best to get rid of them quickly. One thing you can do is try to keep your bathroom dry. Use a towel to dry your bathtub after using it. You can also dry walls, sinks, showers and other places that get wet. Open your windows as well after using the bath. You may also want to get a fan for your bathroom. Basically, keeping your bathroom as dry as possible will go a long way towards discouraging these pests.

Silverfish also like to live in dark places. If you have cupboards in the bathroom, then open these and clean them out. Try to leave the cupboards open until the infestation in over. Something else you should do is fix all leaks. Leaks provide these pests with the moisture they need, and the dampness will also attract other pests that like moisture like cockroaches.

You should also change your towels, linens and bathroom rugs more often. These hold moisture and dirt, and this will attract these pests. They also contain the fibres that silverfish like to eat, so you may want to remove these entirely until the infestation is under control.

Something else you should remove from the bathroom are papers, magazines and books. Silverfish are the curse of book lovers and are attracted to all these types of paper items. They feed on the cellulose that is in paper. If you have these items in your bathroom, then this could be why you’re attracting so many silverfish.