Silverfish are a common but unwelcome sight in Des Moines homes — especially in basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms where Iowa’s humid summers trap moisture.

Silverfish are wingless, nocturnal insects with a distinctive teardrop shape and a silver-gray color that shifts as they move — the “fish” in the name comes from the way they wiggle when they run. They’re fast, they’re secretive, and they feed on the starches, papers, and fabrics you store in lower levels of your home. A small infestation can cause real damage over time if it isn’t addressed.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish are good at staying out of sight. By the time you’re seeing them regularly, the population has usually been established for a while. Watch for these indicators:

  • Visible insects: Silverfish spotted in bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, or closets — especially at night or when you turn on a light.
  • Irregular feeding damage: Small, irregular holes or notched edges on paper, books, cardboard boxes, or fabric. Silverfish scrape the surface of materials rather than chewing through cleanly.
  • Yellow staining: Yellowish stains on paper or fabric near feeding sites. This is a combination of their waste and the damage caused by their feeding.
  • Shed skins: Silverfish molt throughout their lives. Small, papery shed skins in basement corners, under appliances, or in dark storage areas are a reliable sign.
  • Fecal pellets: Tiny black pepper-like droppings near harborage areas — similar in size to those of other small insects but often found concentrated in corners and along walls.

Why Silverfish Are Common in Des Moines

Central Iowa summers are humid, and Des Moines homes — especially those with older foundations or unfinished basements — often trap that moisture in lower levels. Silverfish need relative humidity above 75% to reproduce efficiently, and many Iowa basements hit that threshold regularly in summer. They’ll also overwinter indoors with ease, meaning a small population can persist year-round and build through multiple seasons.

Our Silverfish Control Process

Our approach to silverfish is thorough. We don’t just spray baseboards and call it done. We inspect the basement, bathrooms, and any other areas showing activity. We apply residual insecticide treatments in the areas silverfish use most — along baseboards, inside wall voids at switch plates, under appliances, and in other dark, humid harborage zones. Gel baits supplement the treatment in spots where liquid applications aren’t practical. We also identify the underlying moisture issues driving the infestation and give you specific recommendations to address them.

Why Choose Miller Pest Solutions

Since 2001, Miller Pest Solutions has built a reputation for honest, effective pest control across central Iowa. Joel Miller has been hands-on in this industry since 2007. We’re QualityPro certified and NPMA members — credentials that reflect our commitment to professional standards. We work in Des Moines and throughout the Des Moines area. You’ll get a straight answer on what you’re dealing with and a fair price to fix it.

Get a Free Phone Bid Today

Silverfish don’t go away on their own — they just spread. If you’re seeing them in your Des Moines home, call Miller Pest Solutions at (515) 329-8801 for a free phone bid. We’ll tell you what we think is going on, what treatment would look like, and what it costs — no obligation. You can also visit us at millerthekiller.com.