Overview
- Cleaning Matters reports about 1 million Britons never wash their bath mat and 6.29 million wait two months or longer, leaving a persistently damp hotspot that can attract silverfish.
- Clear It Waste advises airing and regularly washing bath mats and placing dehumidifiers in humidity-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
- Homeowners are urged to fix leaking pipes and ensure extractor vents are repaired and working to reduce the dark, damp conditions silverfish prefer.
- Suggested deterrents include applying lavender or peppermint oil around sinks, drains and pipes and using silica gel packets in drawers to absorb moisture.
- Common signs include nocturnal movement in damp rooms, tiny pepper-like droppings, shed scales, and chewed edges on paper, books and clothing, with persistent activity a reason to call a professional.