6 Steps to Stop a Silverfish Infestation

Have you ever seen a silverfish? If so, you probably already know that these insects are definitely not pleasant. Not only do they reproduce quickly, but they also have an 8-year lifespan! Don't let your home become infested by this unwanted guest—get rid of silverfish today before it’s too late

Named for their scaly bodies and resemblance to fish, silverfish actually don't bite or carry diseases. However, they can cause major damage to your property, including fabric, books, furniture, and wallpaper. If there are crumbs or bits of food left lying around, these insects will keep coming back, so make sure to clean up your space thoroughly. Here are 6 ways you can effectively deal with silverfish infestations to get rid of these pests and prevent them from coming back.

Clear Away Dead Plants & Wet Leaves from Outdoor Spaces

Dealing with a widespread silverfish problem? You may want to make sure that you have cleared up your outdoor space to get rid of anything that might be attracting silverfish. Silverfish could be entering your property through rotting wood on the outside of your house. You should also be cautious about dead plants, wet leaves, damp logs and other outdoor debris around your property.

Store Food Carefully

Keep your home free of silverfish by making sure you store food properly and seal up containers, like your flour and cereal. Make sure pet food is sealed up, too, and keep dog or cat food bowls clean. You may want to vacuum regularly to ensure that crumbs don’t accumulate so that silverfish aren’t tempted to take over your kitchen.

Limit Moisture Levels

Silverfish thrive in warm, moist environments. You may want to purchase a dehumidifier to make your home less attractive to silverfish. You may also want to consider adding extra vents near your shower, sealing up any leaks in your pipes, and making sure your attic and basement are well-ventilated.

Use Traps

Silverfish will chew through just about anything if given the chance, and unfortunately, they aren’t always easy to get rid of. You can try catching them with DIY traps made out of rolled-up wet paper to attract them. Many stores also sell silverfish traps that are designed to poison these insects. Try placing these traps in shelves, drawers, and closets.

Get Rid of Clutter

If you have old magazines or books lying around, it's time to get rid of them: silverfish love eating these types of materials! To help cut back on silverfish in your home, keep your space clean and clutter-free so that these insects don’t have any reason to stick around!

Try All-Natural Repellants

Silverfish are pesky pests that can ruin your kitchen. Fortunately, there are several natural repellants you can use to get rid of silverfish when you don’t want to use pesticides. You may want to try sprinkling cedar oil and wood shavings around your room to deter silverfish from sticking around. Other natural repellants for silverfish include clams, garlic, salt, cucumber peels, citrus fruits, and cinnamon.

If you try these 6 tricks and you’re still fighting a losing battle with silverfish, it may be time to call some pest control professionals. While you may be able to deter silverfish from entering your property, if you already have an infestation, you may need professional assistance to eliminate these pests.

Check out this article for some additional ideas!

How To Get Rid Of Silverfish (13 Steps To Banish Them FOR GOOD!)

5. Use a newspaper

Looking for a cheap, humane and non-toxic method? Why not give newspaper a try? As paper is one of the silverfish's go-to food sources, newspaper makes great bait, especially when moist. Before you go to bed, set a few newspaper traps. Follow these steps to make your own:

1. Take an old newspaper and roll it up lengthways.
2. Secure it with some elastic bands.
3. Carefully soak it with water until the sheets are a little bit damp, but not mushy.
4. Leave a few of the traps around your home in places where you have seen silverfish.

The silverfish will be attracted to the traps and should take refuge in them overnight. In the morning, carefully discard of the newspapers. You can repeat this for a few nights in a row, or until you stop seeing silverfish in your home.

6.Diatomaceous earth

Another popular way to kill insects, including bed bugs, is to use diatomaceous earth. The particles of the powder are razor sharp, meaning that any bugs that crawl over it will have their bodies ripped apart - lovely!

This is another slightly messy method, but it works well as a last resort.

7. Purchase a commercial silverfish product

If you're looking for a slightly more potent way to get rid of silverfish, you could try out commercial products. There are a few different options out there, including different bait traps

Sprays might be toxic to children and pets, so be sure to read the instructions on the packaging.

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