How Much Does Silverfish Extermination Cost? [2025 Data]
Silverfish extermination costs an average of $400 per visit. Most homeowners pay between $200 and $700 per visit.
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 Feet | Average 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 Severity | Average 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 Visits | Average 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 Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Pesticides | $200–$700 |
| Diatomaceous Earth | $150–$600 |
| Fumigation | $2,000–$3,000 |
How Often Should You Treat a Silverfish Infestation?
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:
Cost to exterminate ants: $100–$500
Cost to remove bats: $230–$700
Cost to exterminate cockroaches: $100–$600
Cost to eliminate termites: $250–$1,000
Cost to exterminate bed bugs: $1,000–$4,000
Cost to remove gnats: $150–$250
Cost to exterminate spiders: $100–$500
Cost to exterminate fleas: $100–$400
Cost to exterminate wasps: $300–$700
Cost to exterminate rodents: $180–$600
Cost to remove spotted lanternfly: $200–$600
Cost to remove mosquitos: $350–$500
Cost to remove beehives: $150–$500
Cost to remove snakes: $130–$600
Cost to remove armadillos: $175–$500
DIY Silverfish Extermination vs. Hiring a Pro
Even though silverfish don’t eat wood and can’t cause major damage to your home’s structure, they’ll eat books, clothes, and the like, so it’s best to address an infestation quickly. You can save money with DIY treatments like diatomaceous earth, insecticides, or traps, which average between $7 to $30.
However, these pesky insects can be difficult to get rid of, and hiring a local bug exterminator offers the quickest and most permanent solution. While professional treatments cost more, averaging between $150 and $700, the investment can help protect your belongings from further damage.
Ways You Can Save Money on Silverfish Treatment
If you’re looking to save on your silverfish extermination cost, here are some of the best strategies:
Shop around and get multiple quotes: When hiring a professional exterminator, get at least three quotes and compare service packages before committing.
Reduce indoor humidity: Consider using a dehumidifier to keep humidity levels below 50%, which makes your home less attractive to silverfish.
Seal cracks and crevices: Prevent more insects from getting in by sealing cracks and crevices with caulk or weatherstripping.
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.
Opt for regular inspections: Schedule periodic pest inspections to help catch silverfish issues early, preventing expensive emergency treatments and keeping pest control costs manageable.
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.
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 costquotes@angi.com. 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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