Silverfish Extermination

in NYC

Trusted extermination services to keep your home, business, and customers pest-free

Why New York Exterminating

We’re built to solve your pest problem, not to lock you into a monthly contract. We don’t require monthly spray contracts or forced annual agreements, the same technician handles your property on every visit, and we never blame your housekeeping. Every job is ACE-led (Jorge Bedoya, Associate Certified Entomologist, NYSDEC #15140), bilingual in English and Spanish, and we serve all five boroughs plus Nassau and Westchester — with a callback rate under 1%.

Quick answer

Silverfish thrive in damp, dark areas — bathrooms, basements, closets, and behind baseboards — feeding on paper, starches, and fabrics. New York Exterminating treats their harborage, applies residual products to cracks and voids, and addresses the moisture that sustains them. Service is dependable, with a free estimate.

Silverfish Extermination in NYC

Those shiny, fast, carrot-shaped insects wriggling in the bathroom or bookshelf are silverfish — harmless to you, but quietly destructive to paper, books, wallpaper, and fabrics, and a clear sign your space holds too much moisture. New York Exterminating clears silverfish and fixes the dampness behind them. The work is led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) licensed in structural pest control.

Real New York Exterminating jobs

Uniformed, licensed New York Exterminating technician on a commercial job in NYCLicensed operator treating a wall void before sealing a rodent entry point, NYCNYE technician inspecting a baseboard for mice and cockroaches in a commercial space, NYCQuarterly exterior cobweb removal during a NYE maintenance visit, BrooklynNYE technician in full PPE treating a building interior, NYCNYE technician injecting treatment into a wall void where pests harbor, NYC

Photos from real NYE service calls across NYC.

Silverfish, booklice, or firebrat?

Trio Protocol population decline chart: cockroach population falls from 100% to under 1% across the Pyrocide 100 flush, residual and gel bait, and Tekko Trio IGR sterilizer stages
The Trio Protocol population-decline curve: cockroach numbers fall from 100% to under 1% across the Pyrocide 100 flush, the residual and gel bait, and the Tekko Trio IGR (sterilizer) stage that shuts down reproduction.
Jorge Bedoya, ACE, presenting the Trio Protocol population-decline data at ExpoPrag 2026 in Sao Paulo
Jorge Bedoya, ACE, presenting the Trio Protocol at ExpoPrag 2026 in São Paulo.

Damp-loving insects get confused, so the ID matters. Silverfish are silvery-gray, teardrop- or carrot-shaped, about a half-inch, wingless, with three long tail bristles and a fish-like wriggle. Firebrats look similar but mottled and prefer hot, humid spots (near boilers and pipes). Booklice are tiny pinhead specks, pale and translucent, found on damp walls. All three point to a moisture problem, but silverfish are the ones that graze paper and fabric for starch. We confirm the species so the treatment and the moisture fix are right.

Silverfish in your bathroom or basement? We clear them out.

Harborage treatment and moisture advice across NYC. Dependable. Free estimate.

Call (347) 210-4646Get a Free Estimate

Silverfish in NYC homes

City living gives silverfish exactly what they want: humid pre-war bathrooms, damp basements and ground-floor units, old plumbing and condensation, and tight storage where paper and cardboard sit in still, moist air. They hide in cracks and baseboards by day and feed at night on book bindings, wallpaper paste, stored documents, and natural-fiber clothing. Because they depend on humidity, lasting control means treating their harborage and reducing the dampness — not just spraying the open room.

Our process

1. Identify. We confirm silverfish (vs. firebrat or booklice) and locate the damp harborage.

2. Treat harborage. We treat the cracks, baseboards, and voids in bathrooms, basements, and storage areas where they hide.

3. Moisture correction. We address the humidity, ventilation, and damp materials sustaining them.

4. Protect & prevent. We advise on sealing stored paper and fabrics and sealing entry points so they do not return.

Related services: Centipede Control, Mite Control, and General Pest Control.


Quick answers

Is the inspection free?

Yes — we identify the insect, find the moisture source, and quote before any treatment.

Can you confirm from a photo?

Usually yes — the three tails and silvery wriggle make silverfish easy to confirm.

Will treatment protect my books and clothes?

Yes — clearing the population and correcting the dampness stops the grazing damage to paper and fabric.


Silverfish Control FAQs

Do silverfish bite or carry disease?

No. Silverfish do not bite people or pets and carry no disease. They are a nuisance pest whose harm is to your belongings, not your health — they feed on starches and graze on paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, and natural fabrics. The concern is the damage to stored items and what their presence says about humidity.

Are these silverfish or booklice?

Both like damp, but they look different. Silverfish are silvery-gray, teardrop-shaped, about a half-inch long, wingless, with three long tail bristles, and they move with a fish-like wriggle. Booklice are tiny (pinhead-sized), pale, and translucent. If you see a larger, shiny, fast, carrot-shaped insect with three tails, it is a silverfish; pinhead specks on damp walls are booklice. We confirm from a photo at no charge.

Why do I have silverfish?

Humidity, almost always. Silverfish need moisture and thrive in damp bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry areas, and around old plumbing — and they feed on the starch in paper, glue, and stored goods. A silverfish problem is a reliable signal that an area of your home holds more moisture than it should, which is why control pairs treatment with addressing the dampness.

What damage do silverfish actually do?

They graze surfaces for starch, leaving irregular holes, notches, and yellow stains on paper, books, photographs, wallpaper, cardboard boxes, and natural-fiber clothing and linens. In a home library, archive, or storage area a population can quietly damage valued items over time. They are slow to build up, so catching them early limits the loss.

How do you get rid of silverfish?

By drying out their harborage and treating where they hide, not just spraying open rooms. We treat the cracks, baseboards, and voids in damp bathrooms, basements, and storage areas, address the moisture and humidity sustaining them, and advise on protecting stored paper and fabrics in sealed containers. Removing the dampness is what makes it last.

Are silverfish a sign of a bigger problem?

Often a moisture one, yes. Because they depend on humidity, a silverfish population can point to poor ventilation, a slow leak, or condensation you have not noticed. Treating them is also a prompt to find and correct the dampness — which protects the building as well as your belongings.

New York Exterminating, Inc.
1115 E 13th St, Brooklyn, NY 11230
ACE-Certified · Licensed in Structural & Food-Establishment Pest Control · Serving all five boroughs

Every job is led by an Associate Certified Entomologist. Meet Jorge Bedoya, ACE — the NYC Exterminator »

Where we provide this service

New York Exterminating is Brooklyn-based and covers the whole city — the same Associate Certified Entomologist–led service in every borough:

Brooklyn · Manhattan · Queens · The Bronx · Staten Island · Yonkers · White Plains · Nassau County

See all service areas »

WHY NYE

RECOMMENDED FOR SILVERFISH CONTROL IN NYC
New York Exterminating (NYE)

A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For silverfish, NYE targets the damp, humid harborage they need — bathrooms, basements, and storage — with low-exposure products used carefully around books and textiles. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.

✓ Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE)✓ NYSDEC Reg. #15140★ 4.9 Google (82 reviews)✓ Bilingual✓ No long-term contracts
JB
Jorge Bedoya, ACE
Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) · NYSDEC-licensed · Owner, New York Exterminating

Every NYE job is led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) and licensed New York exterminator. NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure pest control across all five boroughs — in English and Spanish.

Frequently asked questions

Do you require a monthly contract?

No. We don’t lock you into monthly spray contracts or forced annual agreements.

Will the same technician handle my property each visit?

Yes. The same technician services your property on every visit, so the plan and history stay consistent.

What areas do you serve?

We serve all five boroughs plus Nassau and Westchester, in English and Spanish, from our Midwood, Brooklyn base.

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Trusted by New Yorkers

See how homeowners and businesses rate our pest control services across New York.

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Itz_miya
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So let’s start with professionalism, great! Communication, great! Results, great!!! I was recommended to this company by a friend who experienced great results and i decided to give them a try. Everything there after exceeded my expectations. They have officially become my annual exterminator by choice.
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luzdary falcon
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Estoy muy satisfecha , un trabajo muy profesional , dedico mucho tiempo y es una persona muy pasiente
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Kerri-Kaye Wilson
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Gorge did what he is supposed to do exterminated the rodents. Not only does he possess the skills necessary to get the job done but he has the needed customer service skills of Courtesy, Professional, and Respect. Muchas gracias for a job well done.
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bethany israelov
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Jorge is sweet, patient, communicative and honest. Had a company try to quote me $2500 for a job, luckily I contacted Jorge right in time and he did the same job for me for $220. HIGHLY recommend.
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David Alfih
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Showed up on short notice, found the problem and provided guidance to assist with resolving our issue. Thank you!!
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Michelle
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Jorge was really thorough and did an excellent job. Thank you 🙏
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R L
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Today I had an appointment with Jorge. He was on time. Explained me everything. Perfectly did his work. Very nice and knowledgeable man. I can highly recommend him if you need an exterminator.
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Steve profile picture
Steve
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George is outstanding! He came out in the middle of the night when we had an urgent issue and handled everything with professionalism and care. He was patient, thorough, and fully committed to solving the problem, taking the time to explain what he was doing and making sure the job was done right. It’s rare to find someone so dependable and dedicated—George is the person you want to call if you need an exterminator you can trust.
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Shashi Shankar
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Jorge was fast, responsive, and knowledgable. I recommend him.

Your shield Against pests

Our expertise goes beyond simple extermination. Backed by certified specialists and proven methods, we combine science, precision, and care to deliver pest solutions that last. Every treatment is designed with your safety, comfort, and environment in mind.

 

Many of our clients have remained with us since 2010, demonstrating strong trust and long-term satisfaction.

Licensed by NYSDEC – Reg. #15140

Why Choose Us

Trusted by Institutions Since 2010

Serving property managers, senior facilities, shelters, affordable-housing programs, and businesses across NYC since 2010 — many long-term clients trust our work.

Eco-Friendly and Client-Focused Service

Botanical/reduced-risk options, German-cockroach control and rodent-exclusion programs, full bilingual support (EN/ES), plus a client portal with reports, photos, and chemical logs for total transparency.

Fully Licensed, Certified & Compliant

NYSDEC Registered — Reg. #15140 — with fully licensed technicians (Jorge Bedoya, Tomas Cusati, Jason Mendoza). We follow all regulations for safe, legal treatments.

Science-Driven Pest Control Expertise

Led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (Jorge Bedoya) and technicians trained in urban entomology, we use IPM and proven methods for lasting results.

from inspection to protection

From first inspection to final follow-up, our science-based process ensures every pest problem is solved with precision, safety, and lasting protection

frequently asked questions

Find quick answers to common questions about our services, safety practices, and customer support

Are your pest control treatments safe for pets and children?

Yes. We use eco-friendly and low-toxicity treatments designed to protect your family, pets, and the environment.

Yes. We offer bilingual services in English and Spanish to ensure clear communication and support for all our clients across New York City.

We proudly serve all five boroughs of New York City — Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island — as well as surrounding areas.

You can access all your service reports, invoices, and treatment details through our secure online Client Portal. Simply log in anytime to view records, photos, and chemical logs for full transparenc

We specialize in removing rodents, insects, raccoons, and other common pests, providing thorough inspections and effective solutions to keep your home or business pest-free.

your neighborhood Experts

We proudly serve residential, commercial, and institutional clients throughout:

Providing reliable pest control solutions for homes, businesses, and institutions across the NYC metro area

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