
SILVERFISH EXTERMINATOR - MONTREAL & SOUTH SHORE
About Silverfish (Lepisma Saccharina)
Activity
Silverfish are nocturnal insects that stay hidden during the day and become active at night. They prefer dark and quiet areas where they can move undisturbed in search of food. Their activity increases in warm and humid spaces, which support both their survival and reproduction. Although discreet, the damage they leave behind often reveals their presence.
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Diet
Silverfish feed on materials rich in starches and sugars. Their preferred food sources include paper, cardboard, glue, wallpaper paste, cereal, flour, and certain fabrics. They are also known to damage books, old documents, and textiles. When food is scarce, they can survive by feeding on dust, mold, or organic debris found in hidden corners.
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Size
These insects are small and elongated, usually measuring between 10 and 15 millimeters in length. Their bodies are covered in tiny silver-gray scales, which give them a metallic sheen. Their fast and erratic movements, combined with their ability to hide in tiny cracks, make them difficult to catch or detect early.
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Habitat in Quebec
Silverfish are commonly found indoors throughout Quebec, especially in areas where humidity is high. They thrive in environments such as basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, kitchens, and attics. Poorly ventilated spaces provide the conditions they need to thrive. Older buildings with moisture problems are particularly vulnerable to infestations.
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Indoors
Silverfish are often discovered near bookshelves, storage boxes, closets, and under sinks. Bathrooms and kitchens are prime locations due to the constant presence of moisture. They hide behind baseboards, inside wall voids, or in cupboards and drawers. These insects often go unnoticed until damage becomes visible on personal belongings.
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Outdoors
Although silverfish prefer indoor environments, they can sometimes be found outside in moist areas such as under leaves, logs, and mulch. These locations may serve as a temporary shelter or as a point of entry when conditions indoors become more favorable for survival.
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Nesting and Reproduction
Silverfish do not build visible nests but prefer to lay their eggs in hidden and humid crevices. Their reproductive rate is slower than other pests, but they can live for several years. Over time, this allows them to establish large populations if conditions remain favorable and no control measures are taken.
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Common Species in the Montreal Region
The most widespread species in the Montreal area is the common silverfish, scientifically known as Lepisma saccharina. In some heated buildings, especially those with high humidity, firebrats may also be found. These are similar in appearance and behavior but tend to prefer warmer areas like boiler rooms or furnace spaces.
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Persistent and Elusive
Silverfish are extremely resilient and difficult to eliminate. Their ability to squeeze into tiny gaps, avoid light, and feed on common household items allows them to thrive undetected. Professional intervention is often required to fully remove them and prevent long-term damage to stored items and property.
Signs of a Silverfish Infestation
Catching a silverfish infestation in its early stages can spare you long-term damage and frustration. These elusive insects are experts at hiding, but they leave behind subtle signs of their presence. Here’s how to recognize if silverfish may have moved into your space.
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1. Sudden sightings at night
Silverfish are nocturnal by nature and tend to scurry across floors or walls when lights are turned on after dark. Spotting one or more of these fast-moving, silver-grey insects, especially in bathrooms, basements, or storage areas—could mean a hidden population is nearby.
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2. Damage to paper goods and clothing
Feeding on starches and proteins, silverfish often nibble at book bindings, wallpaper, cardboard, documents, and even cotton or linen fabrics. Small holes, yellowish stains, or irregular notches on these items may point to silverfish activity.
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3. Shed skins
As silverfish mature, they periodically shed their outer layer. These translucent exoskeletons are tiny and easy to miss but may collect in corners, drawers, or near baseboards. Finding several in one area can suggest a developing infestation.
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4. Damp and humid areas with activity
Persistent moisture is a key attraction for silverfish. If you’re noticing increased insect movement in areas like under sinks, in laundry rooms, or behind toilets, it may be linked to high humidity drawing in silverfish. A moisture problem often goes hand in hand with an infestation.
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5. Irregular surface etching
Unlike ants or termites, silverfish don’t burrow or chew through wood but they do graze across surfaces in search of food. This behavior can leave behind rough patches or worn-out spots on wallpaper, cardboard, or photographs.
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6. Clusters behind stored items
These pests seek out dark, undisturbed spaces such as the backs of closets, under boxes, or between stacked books. If you find signs of activity such as frayed edges or droppings when cleaning out long-neglected areas, it may be time to investigate further.
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7. Ongoing material deterioration
A long-term silverfish issue can lead to gradual, widespread damage across stored fabrics, archived files, and pantry items. If it seems like your belongings are deteriorating faster than expected, especially in humid areas, silverfish could be the culprit.
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8. Mysterious holes and tunnels in cardboard or wallpaper
You may find small scrapes or tunnels on wallpaper, cereal boxes, or tissue packaging. These irregular patterns often appear in hidden zones like behind bookshelves or under sinks where silverfish quietly feed.
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9. Persistent presence despite cleaning
If you’ve thoroughly cleaned an area and still notice recurring signs such as silverfish sightings, damage, or debris, it likely indicates a well-established population somewhere nearby.
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Acting swiftly at the first signs of silverfish can help minimize their impact on your home or business. These pests thrive in silence and humidity. Don’t give them the upper hand. Professional intervention can stop the infestation from growing and help you protect what matters.
Understanding Silverfish
Silverfish are among the most commonly encountered crawling insects in Quebec, thriving in dark, humid indoor environments. Their flat bodies, quick movements, and elusive nature allow them to slip into tight spaces and go unnoticed for long periods. While they don’t bite or spread disease, their persistent presence can lead to frustrating problems. Attracted to materials high in starch, glue, or sugar, they feed on books, papers, fabrics, and dry food. Once they settle in, they can damage personal belongings, contaminate food supplies, and may also indicate a larger moisture issue within the home.
The Problem with Silverfish Infestations
One of the biggest difficulties with silverfish is their ability to stay hidden while multiplying. These insects are nocturnal and extremely discreet, often nesting behind walls, under flooring, inside cupboards, or in other hard-to-reach spots. Their secretive behavior allows them to go undetected for long periods, during which they quietly spread and cause damage to books, clothing, wallpaper, and stored food items. By the time an infestation becomes visible, it is often already widespread.
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Store-bought sprays and DIY remedies may appear to offer a quick fix, but they rarely reach the source of the problem. These over-the-counter solutions typically target visible pests without affecting the hidden population. Misuse of chemical treatments can also pose risks to your household, including pets and young children, while doing little to resolve the infestation. To eliminate silverfish effectively and prevent their return, professional pest control is essential. Experts can assess the extent of the issue and apply targeted solutions in a safe and thorough manner.
Our Approach to Silverfish Control
Dealing with a silverfish problem requires more than just basic cleaning or store-bought traps. These elusive insects are masters at hiding and can thrive in damp, dark areas for long periods without being detected. Because of their secretive habits and ability to survive in harsh conditions, it takes a professional approach to completely eliminate them from your environment.
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Our trained specialists conduct a thorough inspection of your property to locate the areas where silverfish are most active. Whether they’re nesting behind walls, in basements, inside boxes, or around plumbing fixtures, we pinpoint their hiding spots and assess the factors contributing to the infestation, such as excess humidity, cracks in the structure, or stored paper and fabric materials.
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After identifying the extent of the issue, we apply precise, professional-grade treatments designed to reach where store-bought solutions cannot. These methods are carefully chosen to be effective while also protecting your living or working space. Our objective isn’t just to reduce the number of visible insects — it’s to stop the infestation at its source and prevent future outbreaks. With our expert care, you’ll regain peace of mind knowing your home or business is truly free from silverfish, so you can focus on your daily life without worry.

If you're dealing with Silverfish or have any questions, feel free to call our pest control experts at (438) 543-4691. We're here to take care of the problem quickly and efficiently.
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