You lift an old photo album or a box of school files and a small silvery insect darts away into a crack. If you are wondering how to get rid of silverfish, the most effective answer is not a spray. It is changing the conditions they love: damp air, undisturbed paper and fabric, and dark gaps to hide in. This guide explains what silverfish are, why Singapore homes suit them so well, and the practical, safe steps that make your home much less inviting to them.

Silverfish rarely cause alarm the way cockroaches do, but they can quietly damage things that matter, such as books, documents, photographs and stored clothes. The damage usually turns up in items that have been left untouched for months in a cupboard, store room or under a bed.

We clean a great many Singapore homes, and the pattern is familiar. Silverfish turn up where humidity is high and clutter has been left to sit. Dealing with those two things solves most cases without any chemicals at all.

Femme5 provides home cleaning, not pest control, so this guide focuses on cleaning, decluttering and moisture control. We have linked to university extension and official sources throughout.

What silverfish are and how to recognise them

The University of Florida’s IFAS Extension fact sheet on silverfish describes them as wingless insects, silver or pearl-grey with small shiny scales, about 0.85cm long, with two long antennae and three bristly tail-like appendages. They are active at night and seldom seen in the day unless disturbed, which is why you usually spot one only when you move something.

Mississippi State University’s extension newsletter on silverfish adds that they have a tapering, carrot-shaped body and that, for most homeowners, the nuisance of seeing them matters more than the damage they cause.

Signs of silverfish at home

small irregular holes, notches or thin scraped patches on paper, book covers and wallpaper;
damage to stored cotton, linen or silk;
tiny scales or fine droppings in drawers, boxes and bookshelves;
silvery insects darting away when you move stored items or open a cupboard that is rarely used.

Why silverfish love Singapore homes

The IFAS fact sheet says silverfish are typically found in high-humidity environments at around 22 to 27°C. Mississippi State’s newsletter says simply that they thrive in indoor areas with high humidity. That describes much of Singapore for much of the year.

The Meteorological Service Singapore puts the country’s mean annual relative humidity at around 82%. Rooms that are rarely air-conditioned or aired, such as store rooms, the household shelter, built-in wardrobes and the space under beds, can stay damp for long periods.

What silverfish eat

According to IFAS, silverfish favour starchy materials such as paper and wood, with glazed paper a particular favourite, and also eat sugars, cellulose and various fabrics. They feed on book bindings and on the glue in wallpaper, carpets and furniture coverings. Mississippi State lists book bindings, stored papers, wallpaper, photographs and cotton fabrics among the items they damage, and notes that they also eat dead insects and other sources of protein. If wooden furniture or door frames are damaged, check for signs of termites as well.

In a Singapore home, that means stacks of old newspapers, cardboard boxes, school worksheets, photo albums, starched or stored clothes and cereal or flour in loose packaging.

How to get rid of silverfish: step by step

Mississippi State’s newsletter says good moisture management, sanitation and exclusion are the first steps to controlling silverfish. IFAS lists vacuuming, sealing cracks and holes, removing standing water, reducing humidity and removing paper from cool, damp areas. Here is how that looks in practice.

Find the hot spots. Check store rooms, the household shelter, bookshelves, wardrobes, bathroom cabinets, under the sink and under beds. Note where you see insects, droppings or damage.
Declutter. Recycle old newspapers, magazines, flyers and empty cardboard boxes. Cardboard is both food and shelter. Mississippi State specifically recommends reducing clutter.
Vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum shelves, drawer corners, skirting, the backs of cupboards and cracks along the floor. This removes insects, eggs, scales and the dust and crumbs they feed on. Empty the vacuum into a sealed bag and dispose of it outside the flat.
Clean and dry the area. Wipe shelves and cupboard interiors with a damp cloth and mild detergent, then let them dry fully, ideally with the doors open and a fan running, before putting anything back.
Reduce humidity. Air rooms on dry days, run the bathroom exhaust fan after showers, and use a dehumidifier in closed store rooms or wardrobes. Our comparison of dehumidifiers and air purifiers explains which machine tackles damp.
Fix leaks and standing water. Dripping pipes under sinks, leaking washing machine hoses and condensation from aircon pipes all keep areas damp. Report leaks in common areas to your town council or condo management, and use a qualified plumber for pipes inside the home.
Seal gaps. Fill small cracks along skirting and around pipes and cabinets with sealant suitable for the surface, to remove hiding places.
Repack what you keep. Store documents, photographs and keepsakes in airtight plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes. Mississippi State recommends bug-proof containers for important documents. Keep dry food such as flour, cereal and oats in sealed jars.

Protecting books, documents and clothes

The items silverfish damage are often the ones you care most about. A few habits protect them.

Do not store paper on the floor or against an outside wall, where it stays cooler and damper.
Leave a small gap between bookshelves and the wall so air can circulate.
Open and air wardrobes regularly, and do not pack them so tightly that air cannot move.
Wash clothes before storing them, since food stains, sweat and starch attract insects. Store them only when fully dry.
Check stored items every few months. Silverfish damage builds up in things left untouched.

If you find mould on clothes or walls while sorting through a store room, deal with it at the same time, since both problems share the same cause. Our guides on cleaning mouldy clothes and removing mould from walls cover the safe methods.

Safe options and what to avoid

Most silverfish problems in Singapore homes can be handled without pesticides. If you do consider chemical products, keep these points in mind.

Read and follow the label exactly. IFAS stresses reading all pesticide label instructions. Use only products labelled for indoor use against silverfish.
Do not hang insecticide pest strips in living areas. Mississippi State notes that dichlorvos pest strips are not for use in homes or other areas occupied by people for more than four hours a day, which rules them out for most rooms in a flat.
Avoid over-applying dusts or sprays. More product does not mean better results, and it increases exposure for people and pets.
Keep children, elderly family members and pets away from any treated areas, and store products out of their reach in their original containers.
Keep pesticides away from food. Do not apply them in food cupboards, on kitchen counters or near dishes and utensils. Wear gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
If someone swallows a pesticide or feels unwell after exposure, see a doctor straight away and bring the product label. In an emergency, call 995.
Never mix cleaning chemicals, especially bleach with ammonia or acids, and ventilate while you clean.
Test cleaners on a hidden spot first before wiping wooden shelves, wallpaper or painted surfaces.

If silverfish keep returning despite good housekeeping and lower humidity, or you find large numbers across the home, consult a pest management company registered with the National Environment Agency (NEA). NEA states that only companies registered with it as Vector Control Operators can be engaged for vector control work, and lists them on its Vector Control Operator page.

Keeping silverfish from coming back

Silverfish in Singapore homes keep coming back for the same two reasons: moisture and undisturbed clutter. Prevention is mainly routine.

Vacuum shelves, cupboards and under beds as part of a regular routine rather than only during spring cleaning.
Recycle paper and cardboard promptly instead of letting it pile up.
Keep a dehumidifier or regular airing going in rooms that tend to smell musty.
Do a quick check of store rooms and the household shelter every few months.

Our household cleaning schedule shows how to fit these tasks into weekly and monthly routines. If you also see cockroaches, many of the same steps help, and our guide on getting rid of cockroaches covers the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts silverfish to a home?

Silverfish are attracted to high humidity, darkness and food sources such as paper, cardboard, book bindings, wallpaper glue, starchy foods and natural fabrics. University extension sources describe them as thriving in humid indoor areas, so damp store rooms, wardrobes and bathrooms in Singapore homes are common hot spots.

Can I get rid of silverfish without pesticides?

Yes, in most homes. Extension guidance lists moisture management, sanitation and sealing gaps as the first steps. Declutter paper and cardboard, vacuum thoroughly, lower humidity with airing or a dehumidifier, fix leaks, and store valuables in airtight containers. These steps remove the conditions silverfish need.

Do silverfish damage clothes?

They can. Silverfish occasionally feed on cotton, linen and silk, especially stored items with food stains, sweat or starch. Wash clothes before storing them, make sure they are fully dry, and keep wardrobes aired so that damage does not build up unnoticed.

Does Femme5 provide silverfish pest control?

No. Femme5 provides home cleaning, not pest control, and we do not apply pesticides. Our cleaning services can help with decluttering-related cleaning, vacuuming cupboards and wiping down store rooms. For a persistent infestation, engage a pest management company registered with NEA.

Conclusion

Silverfish are a sign of a home that is damp and has corners nobody disturbs. Get rid of the old paper and cardboard, vacuum the cracks and shelves, bring the humidity down and seal the gaps, and most infestations fade without any chemicals. Store what you want to keep in airtight containers, and look through store rooms and wardrobes every few months.

If chemicals ever seem necessary, follow the label carefully and keep children and pets away, or bring in a pest management company registered with NEA.

A thorough clean of store rooms, wardrobes and shelves is often the turning point in a silverfish problem. When you need an extra pair of hands, see our part-time home cleaning or deep cleaning options, or talk to the Femme5 team for a quote.

The Femme5 Team
Home cleaning team, Femme5 Agency
Femme5 provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning for HDB flats, condominiums and landed homes across Singapore.

Femme5 Cleaning Team

Written by the home cleaning team at Femme5 Agency Pte Ltd, which provides part-time home cleaning, deep cleaning and post-renovation cleaning across Singapore.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish in a Humid Singapore Home