Horrified Brits have flocked to social media after discovering that their homes are crawling with silverfish.
The tiny, wingless pests thrive in warm, humid conditions and are particularly attracted to bathrooms, kitchens and basements.
Since they tend to emerge under the cover of darkness, many homeowners do not realise they have an unwelcome infestation until one suddenly darts across a sink, bathtub or tiled floor.
As temperatures drop and condensation starts to become an issue, conditions can become increasingly appealing to the insects.
And while silverfish are harmless to humans, their presence often points to a moisture problem that could require attention.
'Finding a small, silver insect darting across your bathroom floor can be unsettling, but it could also prompt a useful check of the conditions in your home,' said Chris Harvey, marketing director at heating specialist Stelrad.
The good news is that there are several simple steps homeowners can take to make their properties less attractive to the pests.
Horrified Brits say their homes are crawling with silverfish, which tend to appear during autumn. The tiny, wingless pests thrive in warm, humid conditions and are particularly attracted to bathrooms, kitchens and basements
Experts recommend tackling condensation, improving ventilation and investigating any signs of persistent damp before the problem worsens.
The first thing you can do is make sure moisture can escape while showering.
Steam from a shower can linger long after you've dried off, settling as condensation on cold windows and walls.
'If you have an extractor fan, allow its run-on function to operate,' Mr Harvey said.
'If you rely on a window instead, open it during and after showering, where safe and practical, to help moist air escape.
'Keep the bathroom door closed while clearing the steam to limit it spreading into other rooms, and don't block ventilation openings to keep the room warm.'
Ensuring the bathroom radiator is working properly can also help, as the warmth can aid the drying of damp walls and reduce excess moisture in the room.
'A working radiator helps maintain a comfortable room temperature, but it isn't a substitute for ventilation,' Mr Harvey explained.
'If your radiator has persistent cold spots, leaks or isn't heating the room adequately, have the problem investigated rather than repeatedly increasing the setting.'
The expert also recommends spreading towels out so they can dry, rather than leaving them in a wet pile on the floor or stacking them on top of each other.
People on social media are desperate to learn how to get rid of the pests. Experts recommend tackling condensation, improving ventilation and investigating any signs of persistent damp before the problem worsens
While silverfish are harmless to humans, their presence often points to a moisture problem that could require attention (stock image)
'If you use a heated towel rail, avoid layering so many towels over it that they struggle to dry,' he said.
'Remember that drying towels releases moisture into the room, so ventilation still matters even when the towel rail is warm.'
If you're spotting silverfish regularly, it may be worth checking the areas around sinks, toilets, baths and showers for signs of hidden moisture.
Dripping pipes, damp patches and water that doesn't dry properly can all create the conditions these insects favour.
Mr Harvey said silverfish are often linked to ongoing damp problems, so tackling the source of any excess moisture is an important step in preventing them from becoming a recurring nuisance.
'If an area stays wet even when the bathroom hasn't been used, arrange an appropriate repair,' he said.
Removing cardboard, old paperwork and other clutter from damp storage areas can also help, as silverfish are known to feed on paper-based materials and the adhesives used in them.
Finally, the expert recommends seeking advice if the pests keep returning.