Silverfish & Crickets in Horry County
Two different insects, one shared cause: moisture. Fix that and both get a lot easier.
Or book a free pest evaluation by a licensed technician.
Coastal humidity is the common thread. Both of these are moisture pests, and both tell you something about the building.
Silverfish
Teardrop-shaped, silvery-grey, with a distinctive wriggling movement. They're nocturnal, fast, and usually spotted in a bathtub or sink where they've fallen in and can't climb out.
What draws them
- Humidity above roughly 75% — easy to hit here without dehumidification
- Starch and cellulose — paper, cardboard, book bindings, wallpaper paste
- Natural fibers — cotton, linen, silk in stored clothing
- Dark, undisturbed storage — attics, closets, crawlspaces, boxes
What they damage
Not you — they don't bite or carry disease. They damage things you care about: photographs, documents, books, wallpaper, and stored fabric. Cardboard storage boxes in a humid attic or garage are the classic scenario.
Silverfish are a humidity readout
Finding them regularly means some part of the building is holding more moisture than it should — a crawlspace without a vapor barrier, a bathroom that doesn't vent well, an attic with poor airflow. Treating the insects without addressing that is a recurring bill.
What helps
- Run a dehumidifier in crawlspaces, basements, and closed storage
- Use bathroom exhaust fans during and after showers
- Swap cardboard storage for sealed plastic bins
- Improve crawlspace ventilation and vapor barrier condition
- Fix plumbing leaks and condensation on pipes
- Don't store paper or fabric directly on concrete floors
Crickets
Two kinds show up here, and they behave differently.
Camel crickets (spider crickets)
Humpbacked, long-legged, no wings, and they don't chirp. They jump erratically when startled — often toward you, which is why people dislike them so much. Crawlspaces, garages, and basements are prime habitat. They'll chew fabric and paper if populations get high.
Field crickets
Black or brown, winged, and the ones responsible for the chirping that keeps you awake. Outdoor insects that come in through gaps, especially in late summer and fall.
Where they get in
- Gaps under garage doors — the most common route
- Crawlspace vents with damaged or missing screens
- Foundation cracks and expansion joints
- Door sweeps that no longer seal
- Gaps around pipe and utility penetrations
What helps
- Replace worn garage door and entry door seals
- Repair crawlspace vent screens
- Reduce moisture — same fixes as silverfish
- Move mulch, leaf litter, and stored materials away from the foundation
- Switch exterior lighting to yellow or warm LED to attract fewer insects
- Keep grass trimmed near the foundation
Common Questions
Does quarterly service cover these?
Yes. Both are handled by perimeter treatment and crawlspace attention on a standard quarterly plan. The lasting fix, though, is the moisture and the gaps — your technician will point those out.
Why do I only see silverfish in the bathtub?
They're everywhere in the room, but smooth porcelain traps them. It's where you notice them, not where they live.
Are camel crickets dangerous?
No. They don't bite or carry disease. They're startling and they can damage stored fabric in large numbers, but they're harmless.
Dry It Out, Seal It Up
Quarterly service plus the fixes that actually last.
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