Central Iowa Pest Guide
Silverfish in Des Moines Homes: Habits, Damage & Home Remedies
Silverfish are the teardrop-shaped, metallic gray insects that dart across basement floors and bathroom tiles in Des Moines homes, most noticeably in winter when humidifiers run.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are wingless, half-inch, carrot-shaped insects with silvery scales, two long antennae, and three tail filaments. They move with a distinctive fish-like wriggle.
They are among the most primitive insects, are long-lived for their size — several years — and can survive weeks without food.
They feed on starches and cellulose: book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, paper, dried food, glue, and natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk.
They require high humidity, generally above 70 percent, which is why they concentrate in basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and attics.
Signs of Silverfish in Your Home
- Fast, wriggling silver insects in sinks, tubs, and floor drains, where they get trapped on smooth surfaces
- Irregular surface grazing, small holes, or notched edges on paper, books, and wallpaper
- Yellowish stains and tiny black pepper-like droppings on stored paper and boxes
- Shed skins in storage areas
Why Silverfish Matter
Silverfish do not bite or spread disease, but they damage books, photographs, documents, wallpaper, and stored textiles, and their presence signals a humidity problem worth correcting.
When Silverfish Are Active in Central Iowa
Silverfish are active year-round indoors in central Iowa and become most noticeable in winter, when humidified heated air and condensation create ideal conditions.
Home Remedies & DIY Control
- 1Lower humidity below 50 percent with a dehumidifier and improved ventilation — this is the core fix and it works.
- 2Run bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers, and vent the dryer outdoors.
- 3Repair plumbing leaks, roof leaks, and condensation on cold-water pipes.
- 4Move stored paper, books, and textiles out of damp basements, or store them in sealed plastic bins instead of cardboard.
- 5Vacuum cracks, baseboards, and storage areas to remove eggs and food debris such as crumbs, lint, and dust.
- 6Seal cracks and crevices in walls, floors, and around pipes, and caulk gaps behind baseboards where they hide.
- 7Trap them with a glass jar wrapped in masking tape on the outside and baited with a bit of flour or bread — they climb the tape and cannot climb the smooth glass to escape.
- 8Sticky traps placed along baseboards and behind toilets will confirm activity and reduce numbers.
When to Call a Professional
Call a professional if silverfish persist after humidity control, if they are damaging stored valuables, or if you are seeing them throughout the house rather than in one damp room.
Voice calls only — this line does not receive text messages
Government & University Sources
- Iowa State University Extension — Silverfish and Firebrats
- University of Kentucky Entomology — Silverfish and Firebrats
- U.S. EPA — Introduction to Integrated Pest Management
This article is general educational information for central Iowa homeowners, not professional, medical, or legal advice. Always read and follow pesticide label directions.