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Be sure to read the label for all safety guidelines before you treat your home. Reducing moisture, clutter, and food sources are key to killing silverfish (and keeping them away). These silverfish bugs can typically be found in humid, moist areas of the home including basements, attics and bathrooms. People have noticed silverfish when they come down on ceiling soffits and/or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures in the ceiling, likely entering through shake roofs. Silverfish are particularly attracted to under-sink areas in the bathroom or kitchen, where the environment is humid and dark. They remain hidden during the day, but at night, they emerge to forage for food.
Repel and Prevent Silverfish in Your Home
Use plastic sheeting on the ground in any dirt crawl spaces and attics. That’s the starchy sugar present in paper products as well as dead skin cells like dandruff. They’re attracted to damp, dark spaces with plenty of cellulose to eat. It's also important to dust and/or vacuum regularly to reduce the amount of dust that silverfish love to feed on.
Make Sure To Check Random Areas Where Silverfish Could Be
But it’s important to note that insecticides won’t prove helpful if the environment has not been dealt with first (i.e doing your best to take the moisture out of a room). You can also use dehumidifiers in areas like the basement to reduce the moisture silverfish love so much. If you’ve spotted a silverfish or lots of silverfish, it’s time to go into extermination mode.
Not biters or stingers
No need to worry if you have a close encounter with a silverfish — they don’t bite or sting, and they’re not known to carry any diseases. This website primarily references personal learning experiences. Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. If you’re in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Although silverfish aren’t as destructive as some critters, they’re up there on the list of destructive pests.
The Good, the Bad and The Ugly: Critters That Live In Our Homes - CBC.ca
The Good, the Bad and The Ugly: Critters That Live In Our Homes.
Posted: Thu, 21 Jun 2018 21:40:29 GMT [source]
Silverfish hate the smell of citrus, cinnamon and lavender. If you are looking to repel them naturally, a great idea is to use essential oils to clean your home or as a home fragrance (such as candles and diffusers) to keep them away. This is poisonous, toxic and can be harmful to children, pets and adult lungs if inhaled. It can be made into a diluted solution with water and sprayed into infected areas.
You can control silverfish populations by keeping your lawn tidy and removing the damp areas the insects call home. Not only will you see fewer silverfish, but this will also help you control the populations of other moisture-loving insects such as cockroaches, earwigs, and termites. If you have a large silverfish infestation, it may be worth using insecticides — or better yet, calling in an exterminator.
Seal and store dry goods like pasta, rice, cereal, flour, and any other perishables in airtight, plastic containers, instead of boxes. In addition, wipe up any spillages or messes on the kitchen countertops or floors immediately, to prevent silverfish. Despite their creepy appearance and movement patterns, silverfish won’t attack you or try to bite you. “They can consume a wide variety of food, materials, household items, and clothing,” Troyano says, including paper, wallpaper, glue, and even other insects. In large numbers, silverfish can damage textiles (including clothing, rugs, and upholstery) and soft building materials.
People can also remove food sources for silverfish, such as dust and debris, by cleaning out closets and cupboards and dusting bookshelves. Remember that insecticides are poisonous and toxic to the environment. Contact a professional pest control company to help deal with major infestations. Reduce water sources by using a dehumidifier in the basement. Keep showers, tubs, sinks, and your laundry room clean and dry.
How to get rid of silverfish for good
Because silverfish are nocturnal and actually rather elusive, seeing these yellow markings or damage on paper or fabric in your house is usually the first sign that you have these insects. There are several factors that can cause silverfish in your home. Silverfish are attracted to moist, humid areas of the home. This is why you often see silverfish in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Silverfish find many ways to get into your house and are often brought in on firewood or storage boxes. Additionally, silverfish eggs can be transported in clothing and contaminated food products. Silverfish are small bugs that have silver scales and movements reminiscent of little fish. They love dark, humid places and occasionally pop up in bathrooms or basements. If you prefer more natural methods to deal with a silverfish infestation, there are a few options. Scientists don’t believe silverfish bite people, as the insects have very weak jaws.
It can be very difficult to manage an infestation and it’s usually best to use the following methods together for the best results. Zack is a Nature & Wildlife specialist based in Upstate, NY, and is the founder of his Tree Journey and Pest Pointers brands. He has a vast experience with nature while living and growing up on 50+ acres of fields, woodlands, and a freshwater bass pond. Zack has encountered many pest situations over the years and has spent his time maintaining and planting over 35 species of trees since his youth with his family on their property.
Smaller ones, like this Ultra-Quiet 500 Square Foot Dehumidifier, can be used to target single rooms, such as bathrooms or laundry rooms. Air conditioners will cut down the humidity levels inside your house. But they can sometimes cause condensation to form on windows and walls. If you use an air conditioner, keep windows and doors closed and covered. Silverfish may also survive in drier areas if those spaces have high humidity levels.
