If you’ve noticed small holes in books, wallpaper peeling unexpectedly, or tiny silvery insects darting across your bathroom floor, you may be wondering: what do silverfish eat? Understanding their diet is key to preventing infestations and protecting your belongings.
Silverfish are nocturnal pests that thrive in dark, humid areas. While they don’t bite or spread disease, their feeding habits can cause frustrating damage inside homes and businesses.
What Do Silverfish Eat Most Often?
Silverfish primarily feed on starches and carbohydrates. Their natural diet includes plant-based materials, but inside your home, they target everyday household items.
Common food sources include:
Paper and books
Cardboard boxes
Wallpaper glue
Clothing made from cotton, linen, or silk
Flour, cereal, and pantry goods
Dead insects
Mold and mildew
Because so many household items contain starch or cellulose, silverfish can survive in homes for long periods without being noticed. If you’re seeing activity, professional pest control services can help identify the source and eliminate the infestation.
Why Silverfish Are Attracted to Bathrooms and Kitchens
Now that you understand what silverfish eat, it’s important to know why they’re commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms.
Silverfish are attracted to:
High humidity
Warm temperatures
Dark hiding spaces
Access to paper or pantry items
Moisture is just as important as food. Even if food sources are limited, damp environments allow silverfish to survive and reproduce. Routine residential pest control services help monitor and treat moisture-prone areas before infestations grow.
Can Silverfish Damage Your Property?
Yes. While silverfish don’t cause structural damage like termites, their feeding habits can destroy valuable items over time.
They may damage:
Family photo albums
Important documents
Books and magazines
Wallpaper
Stored clothing
Office files
Property managers often rely on commercial pest control services and apartment pest control services to prevent tenant complaints and protect buildings from recurring infestations.
Warehouses and storage facilities can also benefit from proactive industrial pest control services to safeguard inventory.
How to Eliminate Silverfish Food Sources
If you’re asking what do silverfish eat because you want them gone, here are practical prevention steps:
Store pantry items in airtight containers
Replace cardboard storage boxes with plastic bins
Reduce clutter in closets and storage rooms
Vacuum regularly to remove crumbs and debris
Fix leaks and use dehumidifiers in damp areas
Seal cracks and crevices around baseboards and plumbing
For a complete list of pests treated, visit our pest library page.
When to Call a Professional
If you continue seeing silverfish despite cleaning and moisture control efforts, it may indicate a hidden infestation behind walls or under flooring.
Professional treatment ensures:
Identification of nesting areas
Targeted elimination
Long-term prevention
Safe, eco-conscious application
Our experienced technicians provide customized treatment plans designed to completely remove silverfish and prevent their return.
Contact Cal King Pest Control
If silverfish are damaging your property, Cal King Pest Control provides safe and effective solutions throughout the region.
Yuba City: (530) 673-6322
Auburn: (530) 878-0282
Roseville: (916) 218-1030
Grass Valley: (530) 272-7028
Lincoln: (916) 434-8831
Fax: (530) 673-6216
Email: Calkingpest@comcast.net
