TL;DR
Get coffee and tea gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A Good Housekeeping report says allowing moisture to linger indoors is a habit that can make homes more suitable for silverfish and some other pests, especially in colder months. Pest experts recommend ventilating after showers, managing indoor laundry, addressing leaks and mould, and sealing entry gaps without blocking airflow.
A Good Housekeeping report citing pest-control experts says letting moisture linger after showers or indoor laundry can make a home more suitable for silverfish and some other pests. The advice matters as colder weather can lead people to keep windows closed and dry clothes indoors, adding humidity to rooms where pests may shelter.
Ricky Young, owner of Youngs Pest Control, told Good Housekeeping that the habit most likely to encourage silverfish is allowing moisture to build up and linger. Steamy bathrooms, wet towels or laundry drying without ventilation, and unused extractor fans can all contribute. Young said silverfish favor dark, humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and basements.
Sophie Thorogood, technical training manager and field biologist at Pelsis and a director of the National Pest Technicians Association, said indoor laundry can add moisture to the air during winter. She recommends drying items outdoors when practical, using a dehumidifier where needed and avoiding damp washing draped over radiators. Young advises running a bathroom extractor fan during a shower and for 15–20 minutes afterward, and opening a window when practical.
The report also recommends dealing promptly with leaks, condensation and mould, and sealing gaps around windows, doors and skirting boards. It cautions that sealing should not interfere with ventilation. Thorogood said scented repellents are not a substitute for moisture control and have limited effectiveness, according to the report.
Why Damp Rooms Invite Pests
Managing moisture can address more than pest conditions. The report says reducing condensation and dampness may also help limit musty smells and mould. For households, the practical point is that routine actions—ventilating after a shower, drying laundry with airflow and fixing a leak—can reduce the humid, sheltered conditions that silverfish favor.
The advice does not mean dampness attracts every pest directly. Thorogood told Good Housekeeping that some insects, including plaster beetles and booklice, may be found in damp locations because they feed on mildew and mould. Silverfish, by contrast, favor humid spaces but feed on starchy materials such as paper, cardboard and glue. Moisture control can make those spaces less favorable, but it does not by itself confirm or prevent an infestation.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Seasonal Moisture and Indoor Pests
The report describes autumn and winter as periods when household pests, including mice, moths, spiders and silverfish, may become more noticeable indoors as weather changes. It links increased indoor humidity to factors such as closed windows, condensation and laundry drying indoors. The source does not provide pest-count data or quantify how much these factors change infestation risk.
Its advice focuses on keeping rooms dry and ventilated: use extractor fans, air out rooms where practical, consider a dehumidifier in persistently damp spaces, and investigate recurring moisture rather than treating the symptom alone. The report notes that if dampness keeps returning, the underlying cause should be checked.
“The damp-room habit most likely to encourage silverfish is allowing moisture to build up and linger.”
— Ricky Young, owner of Youngs Pest Control, quoted by Good Housekeeping
Limits of the Pest Advice
The supplied report does not give a publication date, research data, or a measured estimate of how much moisture control changes the chance of an infestation. Its recommendations are expert advice reported by Good Housekeeping, not a guarantee that ventilation or a dehumidifier will eliminate pests. The source also does not specify a target indoor humidity level or identify a single remedy for every home.
It remains unclear whether a particular household has silverfish or another pest based on dampness alone. The report distinguishes between pests that favor humid shelter and insects that feed on mould, and it advises investigating persistent moisture. Where pests or mould continue, the appropriate response may depend on the source and extent of the problem.
Steps Homeowners Can Take
After showering, run the extractor fan for 15–20 minutes and open a window if conditions allow. Dry towels and laundry in a ventilated area, or outdoors when practical; avoid covering radiators with wet clothes. A dehumidifier may help in persistently damp rooms, but the report says it should support—not replace—good airflow.
Check for recurring condensation, leaks or visible mould, and address the cause rather than relying on scented products. Seal small gaps around doors, windows and skirting boards while keeping vents clear. The source offers no announced follow-up investigation or scheduled next milestone; its practical recommendation is to monitor damp areas and seek further help if moisture or pest problems persist.
Key Questions
What household habit can make conditions more suitable for silverfish?
Allowing moisture to linger, such as leaving a bathroom steamy or drying laundry indoors without ventilation, can create humid conditions silverfish favor, according to the experts quoted by Good Housekeeping.
How long should I run the bathroom extractor fan?
Ricky Young recommends running it during a shower and for at least 15–20 minutes afterward. Open a window when practical, too.
Does dampness attract every household pest?
No. The report says damp conditions do not attract every pest directly. Silverfish favor humid shelter, while some insects such as booklice and plaster beetles may be present because they feed on mould or mildew.
Will scented repellents solve a silverfish problem?
The report says scented repellents are usually ineffective and are not a substitute for reducing moisture. Ventilation, addressing leaks and managing dampness target the conditions described by the experts.
What should I do if dampness keeps returning?
Investigate the underlying source, such as a leak or inadequate ventilation, rather than relying only on a dehumidifier. The report advises taking action when mould appears; it does not provide a one-size-fits-all treatment for persistent damp or infestations.
Source: rss
Halloween Picks
halloween
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
