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Silverfish Can Invade Your Bed! How to Get Rid of Them

Silverfish in the Bed
Silverfish prefer damp and warm environments—and they often like to hide in beds. Photo: Getty Images / RolfAasa
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May 15, 2026, 11:43 am | Read time: 2 minutes

Silverfish are mainly found in the kitchen and bathroom. Sometimes, however, these little critters find their way into the bed. Here’s why that happens and what you can do about it.

Silverfish are harmless to humans–yet they’re not exactly welcome in one’s home. Most people want to get rid of them as quickly as possible. Since these creatures prefer warm, dark, and damp places, they’re usually found in the bathroom or kitchen. Sometimes, silverfish also make themselves comfortable in the bedroom–specifically in the bed. Here’s why silverfish feel at home there and how to get rid of them.

Why Silverfish Feel Comfortable in the Bed

Silverfish are known to like it warm and damp. These ideal conditions are often found in the bed. Under the blanket or mattress, these conditions frequently prevail. Additionally, the bed provides plenty of food for the little critters to feel comfortable and survive. Hair, dust mites, skin flakes–all of these are present in large quantities in the bed.

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Silverfish in the bedroom can also indicate the presence of mold in the room. Therefore, it’s essential to look for any possible damp spots.

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What You Can Do About Silverfish in the Bed

If you find silverfish in your bed, there are various ways to get rid of them. First, you should completely change the bedding and wash the blankets and pillows as usual at 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Since the critters also like to hide under the mattress, it should be thoroughly vacuumed as well. Additionally, make sure to air out the room and clean the entire bedroom. You can read about which home remedies help against silverfish in general here.

Can You Prevent Silverfish in the Bedroom?

You can also prevent silverfish. Regular ventilation is particularly important to avoid providing the critters with a pleasant room climate. Additionally, open baseboards, cracks or holes in the wall, and other crevices should be sealed to prevent silverfish from settling there.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of MYHOMEBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@myhomebook.de.

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