Silverfish are small, silver-grey insects that have a fast pace of locomotion. They prefer living in dark and moist areas. They go about largely unseen for long periods of time. For many people, silverfish run about at night, usually around hidden and dark corners. If you see silverfish darting away, don’t panic. It’s time to take some action against silverfish before they multiply. 

This article will discuss how to effectively eliminate silverfish. It will also provide some advice on preventing silverfish.

What Are Silverfish?

Silverfish are described as prehistoric insects. Their name originates from their silver appearance and fish-like movement. Each silverfish has long antennae and bristly tails that allow them to see and navigate in the dark. Silverfish prefer dark, humid spaces, such as attics, basements, and closets.

Are Silverfish Dangerous?

Are silverfish dangerous? Well, not in the traditional sense. They are not capable of biting or spreading disease. Consequently, they do not present a health risk to people. But they are certainly destructive. If left untreated, their feeding habits destroy many things. These include clothing, wallpaper, books, and even important papers.

What Causes Silverfish?

You may be wondering why silverfish feel so welcome in your home. There are a few reasons. The most important reason is the humidity. But they also need darkness and the food source: paper, glue, fabric, and starch. Silverfish can enter your home through small cracks, broken seals, drainpipes, etc. They will find a place that is damp, far away from prying eyes, and then settle in. Knowing the reason will aid your prevention of a future invasion.

Signs of a Silverfish Infestation

Silverfish can be hard to identify in the early stages of an infestation. The reasons are their rapid movements, fearless nature, and nocturnal habits. Thankfully, there are indicators you can search for to see if you have a silverfish infestation. 

For example, if you find yellow stains or little holes in clothing, books, and wallpaper, that could be an indication that you have silverfish present. You may find smaller silverfish exoskeletons or small pepper-like droppings in storage areas. It could indicate the presence of silverfish in those areas as well. 

Finding the eggs is also a sign of silverfish presence. The eggs are very small, white, and difficult to see. When you find them, they are typically hidden away in an out-of-sight, dark and damp environment. When you see any of these signs, it is wise to take action before the population expands.

Where Do Silverfish Hide?

Silverfish prefer high-humidity areas in a home. You’ll likely find silverfish in the house near bathrooms, basements, kitchens, attics, and laundry rooms.

Silverfish in Bathrooms

The most common places people find silverfish are actually in the corners of bathrooms, including bathtubs, drains, and sinks. These damp and warm areas are preferred habitats of silverfish. They do not like to enter dry and bright areas. Understanding where silverfish prefer to hide will help you in your treatment efforts.

How to Get Rid Of Silverfish?

So, let’s discuss how to get rid of silverfish. You will have to reduce the moisture in your home. The best way to do that is by repairing leaking taps or leaks in your pipes when you find them. You also have to use dehumidifiers in moist areas of your home (i.e., bathrooms, basements). 

Ventilate Moisture-Prone Areas

You should adequately ventilate (to the extent possible) areas of your home where moisture may collect (i.e. attics, laundries, and bathtubs.) So that you can adequately dry any moisture in the environment. Silverfish cannot live in a dry environment.

Declutter and Clean Regularly

Next, declutter your home. Remove piles of papers, old magazines, cardboard boxes, or old clothes where silverfish can hide out. You better be vacuuming and dusting regularly.

Ventilate Moisture-Prone Areas 

Record-keeping storage and important documents and book storage should be in airtight containers. Keeping your house clean will also reduce their shelter and food sources.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid of Silverfish

Natural treatments can be very successful for small infestations. You can spread diatomaceous earth around baseboards and under furniture. Cedar shavings will dry out silverfish if you put them in your closets or in dark corners. 

An easy trap is to put masking tape sticky side out around the outside of a glass jar with some bread inside. Silverfish can climb on the tape but can’t escape the jar. These are pretty simple approaches that could help you out a long way.

Chemical Solutions For Silverfish Infestations

For more severe cases, chemical control methods are available. There are sprays, powders, and baits that are all designed for silverfish. These should be applied to all cracks, crevices, behind sinks, under appliances, and along baseboards. Be sure to read and follow the directions on the specific product. If these are not effective in treating a virtually uncontrollable infestation. Don’t hesitate in contacting a professional pest control company. They can evaluate your particular home environment and treat your house thoroughly with safety. You should now know how to get rid of silverfish in the house, and with a combination of these things, you definitely will.

How to Kill Silverfish Effectively?

It’s also important to know how to kill silverfish. Sprays will kill silverfish on contact. But powders will work when the silverfish crawl through the powder. You can set up sticky traps around the infested area to catch many silverfish in one place. It is ideal to constantly throw away trapped insects in sticky traps daily and reapply your treatments till you don’t see any more signs. The number one action is persistence.

Preventing Future Silverfish Infestations

After you have gotten rid of the silverfish, prevention is crucial. 

• First, keep your home dry. 
• Repair all plumbing leaks right away and ventilate wet or moist areas, like bathrooms and laundry areas. 
• Dry goods should be sealed. 
• Seal any cracks or openings in walls, windows, and foundations.
• Using natural repellents, such as lavender or other citrus essential oils, can keep silverfish away as well. 

If you can remain vigilant about these items, you should eliminate any issues going forward.

Conclusion

In the end, although silverfish are alarming, they are pests that are not too difficult to manage. Drying out your home, cleaning your home and especially storage areas, setting traps, and using chemical treatments where warranted are all steps you can take to rid your home of silverfish. 

Now that you have learned how to get rid of silverfish with some simple and smart efforts. Remember to look out for the early signs, act quickly, and maintain your home to keep this silverfish bug away. Once you have mastered how to get rid of silverfish, stay consistent.

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