Where Do Silverfish Hide?

Silverfish are secretive pests. They’re quick, nocturnal, and excellent at staying hidden. If you’ve seen one, there’s a good chance more are nearby lurking in cracks, dark corners, and humid spaces. Knowing where silverfish hide is the first step toward removing them from your home for good.

We’ll explore the most common places silverfish are found in homes and buildings, and how to locate and destroy their silverfish habitats effectively.

Why Silverfish Like to Hide

Silverfish are drawn to locations that are:

• Dark: They avoid light and are most active at night.
• Moist: They thrive in humidity levels over 75%.
• Undisturbed: They prefer quiet, infrequently accessed spaces.
• Cluttered: Piles of books, papers, or boxes provide food and shelter.

They often go unnoticed until their population grows or damage becomes visible.

Top 10 Places Silverfish Hide Indoors

1. Bathrooms

Bathrooms provide warmth, moisture, and little foot traffic at night. Look for silverfish around sinks, bathtubs, toilet bases, and tile cracks.

2. Kitchens

Pantries, under sinks, behind the fridge, and under appliances are popular spots — especially if food or paper products are nearby.

3. Basements

Cool, damp, and often dark, basements are ideal environments. Watch for them in storage boxes, behind drywall, and along the foundation wall.

4. Attics

Attics may be dry in summer but can become humid during rainy seasons. Insulation, cardboard, and books attract silverfish year-round.

5. Closets and Wardrobes

Stored clothing, especially in dark, undisturbed closets, can become a food source. Wool, cotton, linen, and other natural fibres are at risk.

6. Behind Baseboards and Trim

Tiny cracks between the wall and flooring provide perfect hiding and nesting spots. Look for shed skins or droppings as signs.

7. Under Furniture

Heavy furniture rarely gets moved—making it a safe place for silverfish to hide, especially if books, papers, or crumbs are present.

8. Inside Wall Voids

Gaps inside walls offer protection and warmth. Silverfish can travel through electrical conduits or HVAC ducts to move between rooms.

9. Bookcases and Paper Storage

Silverfish love books. The glue, paper, and cardboard are food sources, and a dark bookshelf is the perfect hiding place.

10. Laundry Rooms

High humidity and occasional water leaks make laundry rooms another favourite spot, especially under machines or near drains.

What to Look For

Even if you don’t see a silverfish, these signs may reveal their hiding places:

• Small holes or scrapes on paper, cardboard, or fabric
• Tiny, pepper-like droppings in drawers or along walls
• Yellow stains on books, clothes, or wallpaper
• Shedded exoskeletons near baseboards or storage areas

Using a flashlight and inspecting low or hidden areas can reveal active hiding spots.

Tips to Monitor and Find Silverfish

• Use sticky traps in corners and suspected hiding places
• Place a flashlight in a dark room at night to watch for movement
• Sprinkle flour or cornstarch in suspected areas to check for tracks
• Inspect cardboard boxes and paper stacks regularly

Silverfish often follow the same paths between hiding and feeding areas. Traps and powder can help reveal these routes.

How to Make Those Areas Less Attractive

• Use a dehumidifier in damp rooms
• Seal cracks and gaps along baseboards and pipes
• Store items in plastic bins instead of cardboard
• Keep paper and clothing off the floor
• Vacuum regularly, especially near walls and behind furniture

By making your home less inviting, you reduce the chance of silverfish returning after treatment.

Silverfish are experts at hiding, but with the right knowledge, you can track them down. From bathrooms and basements to closets and bookshelves, these pests go where it's dark, moist, and undisturbed. By knowing where to look and how to reduce their favourite conditions, you can take control of your home and stop a silverfish problem before it grows.

If you're concerned if silverfish are harmful, dangerous or poisonous and how much damage they can cause, then keep reading!