Combatting silverfish sustainably and safely
Discover professional strategies for sustainably combating silverfish. therlo offers you safe solutions to specifically eliminate the causes – moisture and mold – and protect your home.
Root cause analysis instead of symptom treatment
Health- & environmentally friendly
Protection for Your Property
Silverfish: More than just harmless housemates?
Biology: Nocturnal, wingless insects (Zygentoma) that have existed for over 300 million years.
Habitat: Prefers dark, moist environments with temperatures between 20 and 30 °C.
Diet: Consume starchy and sugary substances such as paper, glue, skin flakes, and mould.
Meaning: Serve as important bioindicators of excessive moisture in buildings.
The real reasons: Why silverfish choose your home
An infestation of silverfish is rarely a coincidence but rather a clear signal of an underlying issue in your property. These insects rely on a high relative humidity of over 80% to survive and reproduce. If you frequently find silverfish in the bathroom, kitchen, cellar, or laundry room, this indicates a persistent moisture problem. The causes for this are varied and range from inadequate ventilation, condensation on cold walls, to serious structural damage such as leaking pipes, rising damp in the masonry, or undetected water damage. Rather than just addressing the visible insects, it is crucial to accurately locate and professionally eliminate these sources of moisture. Only by doing so can you remove the basis of survival for silverfish permanently and protect the building fabric from consequential damage such as mould.
Professional solutions
Our expertise against silverfish
Root Cause Analysis
Precise moisture measurement for identifying problem areas.
Leak detection
Non-destructive detection of hidden water sources.
Building drying
Professional dehumidification of masonry, screed, and insulation layers to sustainably eliminate the cause of moisture and remove the habitat for silverfish.
Mould Removal
Sustainable removal of mould as a source of food.
Climate Optimization
Permanent regulation of humidity.
Preventive counselling
Individual strategies to prevent reinfestation.
Odour elimination
Neutralisation of musty odours for fresh air.
Damage Restoration
Professional repair of affected materials.
Long-term monitoring
Technical supervision to ensure success.
We address the root cause, not just the symptoms, ensuring a long-lasting healthy indoor climate.
Discovered silverfish?
Act now.
Health Risk Silverfish: An Indicator of Mold Infestation
Silverfish do not generally transmit diseases and are not directly dangerous for humans. However, their presence is a serious warning signal for a potentially unhealthy indoor climate. Since silverfish feed on mould fungi, a severe infestation often indicates a hidden or visible source of mould. Mould fungi release spores and metabolic products (MVOCs) into the indoor air, which can lead to serious health problems for sensitive individuals, especially children, allergy sufferers, and immunocompromised people. These include respiratory diseases, allergic reactions, irritation of the mucous membranes, headaches, and concentration difficulties. Therefore, combating silverfish is inseparably linked to eliminating moisture and the associated mould risk to protect the health of the residents.
Damage Caused by Silverfish: From Books to Structural Fabric
Although silverfish are primarily considered nuisances, they can indeed cause material damage when there is a severe infestation. Their diet consists of polysaccharides found in many organic materials. Particularly at risk are cellulose-containing products such as paper, wallpaper, and books, where they can cause holes or surface grazing. Bookbinding glue, photos, and documents in archives are also popular food sources. Textiles made from cotton, linen, or silk can also be gnawed on, especially if they are dirty or sweaty. A critical concern for property owners is the feeding on wallpaper paste. If wallpapers start to come loose in damp corners, this can be an initial indication of silverfish activity, as they feed on the organic paste and in doing so, damage the wall coverings.
Home remedies for silverfish: When are professional solutions indispensable?
On the internet and in drugstores, there are numerous home remedies and products available to combat silverfish, including bait boxes, sticky traps, or sprays. These methods may help temporarily reduce the visible population. However, they only address the symptom, not the cause. As long as the high humidity and moisture sources are not eliminated, silverfish will keep returning. The use of insecticides in living areas is also concerning for households with children and pets. A professional solution becomes unavoidable when the infestation is severe, persists over a long period, or occurs in multiple rooms. This suggests a structural moisture problem that can only be permanently resolved through expert analysis, technical drying, and targeted refurbishment.
Our approach: Systematic elimination of causes instead of insecticides
therlo takes a holistic and sustainable approach aimed at completely eliminating the causes. Our process is designed to protect your property and restore a healthy living environment. First, our certified partners conduct a detailed moisture analysis using state-of-the-art measuring technology to identify the exact problem areas. We then develop a tailored strategy which, depending on the findings, may include technical building drying, leak detection, mould removal, or the optimisation of ventilation behaviour. Instead of chemical agents, we rely on physical methods that deprive the silverfish of their habitat. This systematic approach not only ensures the pests disappear but also prevents their recurrence and protects your property in the long term from moisture damage and loss of value.
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Non-binding initial consultation
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Professional assessment on site
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Implement a tailored concept
Prevention: How to Effectively Prevent a New Infestation of Silverfish
Effective prevention is the best protection against silverfish and the associated moisture problems. The most important measure is controlling humidity. Ensure regular and correct ventilation rather than permanently tilting windows. Especially after showering, bathing, or cooking, the moist air should be immediately vented outside. Monitor the indoor climate with a hygrometer; the relative humidity should ideally be between 40% and 60%. Avoid drying laundry indoors if possible. Repair dripping taps and leaking siphons promptly. Also, seal joints and small cracks in the masonry or skirting boards to remove hiding places for insects. Maintaining a consistent room temperature also helps reduce the formation of condensation on cold surfaces.
Legal aspects for landlords: Who is responsible for a silverfish infestation?
For landlords, a silverfish infestation is not just a technical, but also a potentially legal issue. If silverfish appear in significant numbers, courts may interpret this as a defect in the rented property, potentially entitling the tenant to a rent reduction. The crucial factor here is the cause: if the infestation is due to a structural defect (e.g., leaking pipes, inadequate insulation), the landlord is clearly responsible for rectifying both the damage and the cause. However, if the landlord can prove that the infestation was caused by the tenant's incorrect heating and ventilation behaviour, the responsibility lies with the tenant. Given this complex burden of proof, it is advisable for landlords to take proactive action with a silverfish problem, have a professional cause analysis conducted, and document the results, in order to avoid legal disputes and protect the property.
Technological Innovations for Moisture Control
Modern technology today offers excellent opportunities for monitoring and controlling the indoor climate, thus aiding in the prevention of silverfish. Smart hygrometers, which connect to apps on your smartphone, enable seamless monitoring of humidity and temperature in real-time. You can set alerts to notify you when critical values are exceeded. Intelligent ventilation systems or decentralized ventilation units with heat recovery automatically ensure the necessary air exchange without requiring manual intervention. In the field of renovation, professionals rely on innovative measuring techniques such as microwave measurement for non-destructive moisture analysis in building components or infrared cameras to visualize thermal bridges and moisture nests. These technological tools allow for precise, efficient, and data-driven management of moisture issues.
Are silverfish a sign of poor hygiene?
The safety of children and pets is the highest priority in pest control. The use of chemical insecticide sprays in living spaces is highly problematic, as the active ingredients can disperse into the air, settle on surfaces, and be ingested by young children or animals. Therefore, therlo consistently relies on an approach that avoids toxic chemicals. Our strategy is based on the physical alteration of environmental conditions. By using professional building drying and eliminating sources of moisture, the habitat for silverfish is removed. This process is completely harmless for humans and animals. We ensure that your home is not only free of pests but also a healthy and safe place for your entire family. Trust in solutions that combine effectiveness with responsibility.
