How Much Does Silverfish Extermination Cost? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $200 - $700

Pest control costs depend on your project and location. Check with a local pro for your specific job.

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The average silverfish extermination cost is $400, with most treatments costing between $200 and $700 per visit. Fumigation for severe infestations can cost upwards of $3,000, while treating small areas can be as low as $150. Prices vary based on factors such as the type of treatment and the severity of the infestation. Let’s dig into the cost to exterminate silverfish from your home.

Silverfish Extermination Cost Factors

These are the main factors to consider when planning your budget for silverfish extermination.

Home Size

Home size doesn’t have a huge impact on cost, but some exterminators charge around $25 for every extra 1,000 square feet beyond 1,500 square feet of home space. However, if you’re only looking to get rid of silverfish in a bathroom or other small area in your home, you can expect treatment costs to stay on the lower end.

House Size in Square FeetAverage Treatment Cost
1,000$200–$700
2,000$225–$725
3,000$250–$750
4,000$275–$775

Infestation Severity

The severity of the silverfish infestation plays a big role in the overall cost, with minor infestations ranging from $150 to $300. Moderate infestations often need more extensive work and attention to detail, which can increase labor costs to between $200 and $700. Severe infestations that require fumigating an entire home costing as much as $3,000.

Infestation SeverityAverage Treatment Cost
Minor$150–$300
Moderate$200–$700
Severe$500–$3,000

Number of Visits

The frequency and number of visits can also affect silverfish treatment costs, with one-time or annual visits costing between $200 and $700 on average. If you opt for more frequent treatments on a monthly or quarterly basis, this service can bring your costs down to between $100 and $500 per visit.

Frequency of VisitsAverage Cost
Once$200–$700
Monthly$100–$400
Quarterly$100–$500
Annually$200–$700

Treatment Method

Standard pesticides, mainly pyrethrins, are most commonly used in silverfish extermination and average between $200 and $700. Diatomaceous earth, a more natural and budget-friendly option, can cost between $150 and $600, depending on the size of the area. On the other hand, major infestations requiring whole-home fumigation cost $2,000 to $3,000 on average.

Treatment MethodAverage Cost
Pesticides$200–$700
Diatomaceous Earth$150–$600
Fumigation$2,000–$3,000

How Often Should You Treat a Silverfish Infestation?

Professional exterminator spraying along kitchen cabinets
Photo: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

For silverfish extermination, it's a good idea to schedule treatments every three to six months, depending on the severity of the infestation. Along with scheduling periodic visits from a professional exterminator, regularly inspecting your home for signs of a silverfish infestation. Applying preventive treatments like diatomaceous earth can help prevent these pests from returning.

Cost of Common Silverfish Extermination Add-Ons

Most professional exterminators can treat a wide variety of pests. If you’re dealing with any other types of infestations, bundling multiple treatments into one visit can save on your total costs. Here are some common add-on pest treatments:

Why You Should Hire an Exterminator

Eliminating silverfish sounds like a DIY cinch until you realize they tuck themselves into tiny spaces and reproduce with surprising enthusiasm. And while the sprays and powders you picked up at the local hardware store might help for a bit, they typically won't resolve the issue. A local exterminator will pinpoint the problem, treat it properly, and keep the pests from making a comeback. 

Here's why it's ideal to hire a silverfish extermination pro

Treating an infestation correctly takes precision, strategy, and the right products. Hiring a pro offers clear advantages because they can:

  • Locate nesting areas that homeowners often overlook

  • Select safe, targeted treatments suited to your home and infestation level

  • Apply products correctly for long-lasting results

  • Spot moisture issues or entry points that attract silverfish

  • Schedule follow-ups to ensure the infestation is gone

  • Bundle treatments to tackle other pests while they are on-site

  • Reduce the risk of overusing or misusing pesticides

If you want to DIY a silverfish extermination

Homeowners can take on some prep and maintenance tasks that help keep silverfish under control between professional visits, including:

  • Reducing humidity by using dehumidifiers or improving ventilation

  • Sealing cracks and gaps around baseboards, pipes, and cabinets

  • Decluttering storage areas and removing cardboard boxes that attract pests

  • Cleaning damp rooms, including bathrooms and basements, regularly

  • Monitoring hotspots and noting signs of increased activity before your pro arrives

Ways You Can Save Money on Silverfish Treatment

5 silverfish warning signs, including pepercorn-like dropings, wall damage, and unexplained allergies Photo credit:
Photo: Leonid Eremeychuk / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

If you’re looking to save on your silverfish extermination cost, here are some of the best strategies:

  1. Shop around and get multiple quotes: When hiring a professional exterminator, get at least three quotes and compare service packages before committing.

  2. Reduce indoor humidity: Consider using a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50%, which makes your home less attractive to silverfish.

  3. Seal cracks and crevices: Prevent more insects from getting in by sealing cracks and crevices with caulk or weatherstripping.

  4. Try DIY solutions for minor infestations: If you’re only seeing a few silverfish here and there, consider using DIY treatments like diatomaceous earth or simple traps.

  5. Opt for regular inspections: Schedule periodic pest inspections to help catch silverfish issues early, preventing expensive emergency treatments and keeping pest control costs manageable.

  6. Bundle services for discounted rates: If you already use pest control for other common pests, adding silverfish to your plan can often result in a discount.

Most Common Household Insects Treated by Pest Control

Nearly half of all pest control visits focus on eradicating cockroaches. Silverfish and less common pest problems account for 23.5% of exterminator visits.

Next Steps: Finalize Your Project With a Pro

  • Ask what information they require before getting started, such as room locations or recent activity.

  • Discuss the treatment method they recommend based on the level of infestation.

  • Go over how long the treatment will take and when you can expect results.

  • Inquire about additional services if you’re dealing with other pests in your home.

  • Discuss any safety steps your household should follow during and after treatment.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Silverfish are small, wingless insects averaging about ¾ inch in length, known for their shiny silver or metallic gray appearance and fish-like movements. They have a flat, oval-shaped body and are commonly found in dark, damp areas of homes, where they feed on carbohydrates and proteins found in materials like paper, glue, and clothing.

The main causes of silverfish are damp, humid environments. These pests thrive in spaces with high moisture levels and are drawn to food sources like paper, wallpaper glue, and starchy materials. Poor ventilation, water leaks, or high indoor humidity can create the ideal conditions for silverfish to survive and reproduce. Addressing moisture problems and reducing humidity can help deter them, as they rely on these conditions to thrive.

If you’re wondering whether silverfish can fly, they can’t—they don’t have wings. Instead, they wriggle their bodies and move quickly in a fish-like motion, hence their name. Despite their speed, they are limited to crawling along floors, walls, and ceilings. Silverfish are known for their agility and ability to hide in small cracks and crevices, but they cannot jump or fly.

Sure, they are icky to behold, but are silverfish bad? In terms of illness or injury to humans, the answer is no because they don’t bite or carry disease. However, they can damage household items, including books, wallpaper, certain foods, and clothing, as they love to feed on starchy materials and adhesives. What’s more, their presence often indicates high humidity or moisture issues in the home, which can lead to further pest problems.

Silverfish can climb walls, although not as speedily as they scuttle across floors and other horizontal surfaces. Still, their flat, flexible bodies and strong legs enable them to navigate vertical surfaces and even ceilings with ease. Their climbing ability helps them access a range of hiding spots, making it harder to spot and eliminate in an infestation.

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