Appearance and Habits
Silverfish are wingless, shiny, silver-grey insects known for their distinctive, fish-like slithering movements. They thrive in dark, humid environments and are typically found in bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and laundry rooms. Because they are nocturnal and incredibly fast runners, an infestation can easily go unnoticed by your tenants until the population has significantly grown.

Why Do They Target Your Rental Property?
Silverfish are drawn to high-density Toronto condominiums and homes primarily for two things: moisture and carbohydrates. They feed heavily on starches and proteins found in everyday items such as:

🪳 Wallpaper adhesive and bookbindings
🪳 Cardboard storage boxes and paper files
🪳 Drapery, cotton, and silk fabrics
🪳 Dandruff, sugar, and leftover food crumbs

1. Rigorous Moisture Control and Dehumidification
Because silverfish absolutely depend on high humidity to survive, eliminating moisture is your most powerful weapon.

• Deploy Dehumidifiers: Ask tenants to run a dehumidifier in naturally damp areas like basements or laundry rooms to keep humidity levels below 50%.
• Maximize Bathroom Ventilation: Ensure bathroom exhaust fans are fully operational and instruct tenants to run them for at least 20 minutes after every shower.
• Fix Minor Leaks Immediately: Check under sinks, around toilets, and near appliances for slow drips that create localized damp zones.

2. Strategic Environmental Modifications and Deep Cleaning
Removing their food supply and hiding spots will force silverfish to migrate or starve.

• Seal Entry Points: Use silicone caulk to seal cracks along baseboards, under sinks, and around plumbing pipes where silverfish travel between walls.
• Declutter Storage Spaces: Advise tenants to swap out cardboard moving boxes for airtight plastic storage bins, as cardboard is a primary food source.
• Vacuum Frequently: Regular, thorough vacuuming removes dropped crumbs, microscopic mold spores, and silverfish eggs from carpets and crevices.

3. Targeted Professional and Natural Treatments
When physical modifications aren’t enough, safe and targeted treatments can eliminate the remaining pests.

• Diatomaceous Earth (DE): A food-grade, non-toxic powder that can be dusted behind baseboards and appliances. It dehydrates and kills silverfish naturally without risking the safety of tenants or pets.
• Pyrethrin-Based Sprays: For severe infestations, professional pest control operators utilize targeted, low-toxicity residual sprays along structural perimeters to disrupt the breeding cycle.

4. Non-Toxic Baking Soda Bait Traps
Baking soda is a highly effective, low-cost DIY desiccant that destroys a silverfish’s digestive system from the inside out once ingested. Because they won’t eat plain baking soda, you must mask it with a carbohydrate lure:

• The Sweet Buffet: Mix equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar or flour, placing small amounts in jar lids along dark corners or under sinks.
• The Honey Paste: Create a thick paste using baking soda, water, and honey. Smear small amounts onto pieces of cardboard and slide them into tight crevices. The silverfish are lured by the glucose and starch, creating a highly effective natural trap.

Seamless Repair & Maintenance Coordination
When a pest or moisture issue arises, you don’t have to pick up the phone or rush across the city. Xtends acts as the professional shield between you and your rental property. We handle all incoming day-to-day tenant communications and seamlessly coordinate with trusted maintenance professionals or your preferred pest control experts to resolve issues efficiently.

Routine Property Baseline Inspections
Preventative care is the best defense against pests. Xtends conducts professional tenant move-in, pre-move-out, and annual property inspections. By identifying minor plumbing leaks, failing exhaust ventilation, or structural gaps early, we help stop minor issues from ballooning into full-scale infestations.

Reclaim Your Personal Time
Your investment should fund your lifestyle, not consume your weekends. With Xtends managing the daily operational logistics and tenant requests, you are entirely free to focus on your career, enjoy uninterrupted family vacations, and live completely stress-free.