Pest Profile

Silverfish

Silverfish will not bite you or spread disease, but you will find them in the pages of your books, the box of old photos, the back of the linen cupboard and the pantry. They feed on paper, starch and natural fibres, and Darwin’s humidity keeps them active all year, not only in the wet. By the time you see one darting across the bathroom floor at night, there are usually plenty more in the cupboards and the roof space. A targeted treatment clears the harbourage they breed in and protects what they are quietly eating.

Silverfish Damage

What Silverfish Get Into

Silverfish feed on starch, paper and natural fibres, which means the things they damage are often the things you cannot replace. In a humid Darwin home they work through storage areas, cupboards and roof spaces, grazing surfaces and leaving holes, notches and yellow stains behind them.

Books, paper and documents

They eat paper, cardboard and the glue in book bindings. Stored books, files, certificates and old letters are prime targets.

Photos and keepsakes

Boxed photos, artwork and paper keepsakes get grazed and stained, and once a silverfish has been at them the damage does not come out.

Clothing and linen

They feed on cotton, linen, silk and wool, so stored and out-of-season clothing, and the back of the linen cupboard, are easy pickings.

Wallpaper and plaster

Silverfish graze wallpaper and the paste behind it, and the grey silverfish common here will even damage the surface of plaster.

Pantry and stored food

Flour, cereal, oats, sugar and other dry goods left open in the pantry give them a food source that keeps a population going.

Warning Signs

Signs of Silverfish Activity

Silverfish hide during the day and feed at night, so you usually see the damage before you see the insect. In a Darwin or Palmerston home, these are the signs worth checking for.

Holes, notches and grazed surfaces

Irregular holes and scraped or etched patches on paper, book covers, wallpaper and cardboard boxes.

Yellow stains and scales

Yellowish marks, and a fine dust of silvery scales left in drawers, on shelves and along skirting.

Tiny black droppings

Small pepper-like specks in the places they feed and shelter.

Night-time sightings

A silver, wriggling insect darting for cover when you turn on the bathroom, laundry or kitchen light.

Live insects in stored boxes

Moving stored cartons, books or clothing and finding them underneath. Seeing one usually means there are many more.

Action Plan

What to Do If You Have Silverfish

They will not hurt you, but they will not stop

Silverfish do not bite or spread disease, so there is no danger to the family. Left alone, though, they keep breeding in the humidity and keep grazing your books, clothing and stored food.

Do not rely on retail sprays and a dehumidifier alone

Cutting moisture and decluttering helps, but the grey silverfish common in Darwin copes with normal household humidity, and retail sprays do not reach the cracks and cupboards where silverfish harbour.

Book a treatment

We treat the areas silverfish hide and travel through: wardrobes, drawers, shelving, cupboards, the roof space and subfloor, and the cracks and skirting in between.

Service Pricing

Northern Rock Can Help

Every silverfish job is a little different, so we quote it after a look at where they are and how far they have spread. Request a free quote to get started.

Free Quote

Ensure your property is protected with Northern Rock Pest Control. Request a complimentary, obligation-free quote today and discover our expert, hassle-free pest management solutions.

Questions

Common questions about silverfish in Darwin and the Top End.

Are silverfish dangerous, and do they bite?

No. Silverfish in Darwin homes do not bite, sting or spread disease, and they are harmless to people and pets. The problem with silverfish is the damage they do to books, paper, clothing and stored food, not any risk to your health.

What damage do silverfish cause in the home?

Silverfish feed on starch, paper and natural fibres, so they damage books, documents, photos, wallpaper, cotton and linen clothing, and dry pantry food. In a Darwin home they often work through stored boxes, wardrobes and roof spaces before you notice them.

Why do I have silverfish in my Darwin home?

Silverfish thrive in humidity, and Darwin’s climate keeps them active all year, not just in the wet season. The grey silverfish common here also copes with normal indoor humidity, so it keeps going through the dry. They shelter in dark, undisturbed places like cupboards, drawers, bookshelves and roof voids.

How do I get rid of silverfish for good?

Reducing moisture and storing paper, clothing and food in sealed containers helps, but retail sprays are patchy because silverfish hide deep in cracks and cupboards. Northern Rock treats the areas silverfish harbour and travel across Darwin and Palmerston, which is what brings the problem under control.

How much does silverfish treatment cost in Darwin?

There is no fixed price, because it depends on the property and how far the silverfish have spread. Northern Rock looks at the situation and gives you a free quote for the treatment that fits. Request a free quote to get started.

Do silverfish come back after treatment?

Darwin’s humidity means silverfish pressure is always in the background, so the best results come from treating where they harbour and keeping storage areas dry and sealed. If silverfish are becoming a problem again, Northern Rock can come back and reassess.

Silverfish in the books and cupboards?

Silverfish work quietly, and the damage to books, documents and clothing is usually done before people realise they have a problem. A treatment clears the harbourage they breed in and protects what they are eating. The sooner it is dealt with, the less they get through.