April 27th, 2018 by
There’s a common misconception about silverfish that they are just harmless insects that aren’t worth giving a second thought to. However, try telling that to the many people who have had their clothes, carpets, and other fabrics chewed up by the little devils. Yes, they may seem non-important in the pest control world, but they can cost people a fair chunk of money if they aren’t seen to before things get out of hand. Once silverfish gather in numbers, they can cause headaches for any household. The unsightly creatures like to hide in dark and damp areas of the home, typically looking for food sources to get nourishment from. But it’s the sheer amount of materials in the home which they munch on that can really become an issue, including but not limited to; books, clothes, carpets, curtains, wallpaper and even food. When you add it all up, there’s certainly a lot of potential damage at stake for those who don’t make an effort to quell the problem. But how exactly do you go about getting rid of them? And what preventative measures can you take to stop them coming into your home in the first instance? Well, we’ve put together a little guide to help you with those very quandaries!
1. Deter Them From Entering
Unsurprisingly, the first step you should take if you aren’t already infested with silverfish is to discourage them from coming near your premises in the first place. This can be done using various methods, ranging from not leaving books and clothes on the floor to hoovering your house more often. Doing so will put them off coming into your home as they won’t have a hiding area or a food source to draw from. However, the ideal measure to take is to use a dehumidifier. Silverfish are attracted to damp spots in the house so they will look for areas that best match those conditions. The best thing to do is to bring the humidity down in your home with the help of a dehumidifier.
2. Set A Devious Trap
If the first step doesn’t apply to you, then this one certainly will. Silverfish can be baited with food and one of the most effective ways to lure them into your trap is to put a piece of bread at the bottom of a glass jar. Once you’ve done that, wrap masking tape around the outside of the container, and set it near any silverfish-plagued area. The pest should climb into the jar for the bread but won’t be able to get back out again. You can also perform a similar exercise with a damp, rolled up newspaper and some bread. Once the insect makes a new home there, throw away or burn the paper.
3. Spray Your Cares Away
Another nifty way of eliminating silverfish comes in the form of insecticidal sprays. These no-nonsense products will exterminate any silverfish that it comes in contact with, and even better, it will last for up to six weeks after any infestations have been dealt with – giving you time to take the necessary measures to stop them from entering your home again (see first entry). They are versatile too, working just as well in kitchens as they do in bathrooms. And if your carpet or bed has become a hang-out point for silverfish, don’t worry – it will work its magic on those surfaces too.
4. Sprinkle A Little Powder
If there’s an infestation of silverfish in a delicate area where liquids can’t be used (e.g. plug sockets, household appliances), then another valid option for exterminating them is dusting powder. Simply pour the powder onto an area where silverfish are present and wait for the pest to crawl into it. Once the powder has contact with the insect, it will dehydrate it, ultimately leading to its demise. This is particularly useful for spots in the home that are tough to get at such as nooks and crannies in walls and skirting. However, there is one more measure you could take if our previous entries haven’t solved the problem…
5. Smoke Them Out
Yes, smoke bombs can be deployed in your house for maximum impact. They contain an ingredient which severely disrupts the neurological makeup of the silverfish, making it impossible for them to function normally. This insecticide will eliminate any silverfish within its proximity. To use the product, first make sure all drawers, cupboards, and doors are open in order for it to work effectively. Then set it on a metal resistant surface, take the lid off, and light the fuse before shutting off the room for around three hours. When you return, maximize its effect if you can by using sprays and powders such as Protector C and Residex P, and voila! Your house should now be a silverfish-free environment.
Comments
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Þórdís Lilja says:
Oct 22nd, 2019 at 12:25 am
I just recently noticed silverfish and their babies in my bathroom. I poured hand sanitizer into cracks in the corners where I think they emerge from, is that helping? Does the sanitizer do anything?
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Chris Chapman says:
Oct 22nd, 2019 at 8:21 am
Sorry to hear that! Hand sanitiser probably won't help unless the silverfish actually eat it, which is unlikely. If you only have a few, you can make traps by wrapping masking tape or rope around a jar, then placing some food inside the jar. The silverfish will fall in and be unable to climb out. You can also use some pest control products containing pyrethrins to quickly kill them on contact.
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