You might have spotted these slither pests in your bathroom , kitchen , or cellar . Here ’s how to get rid of Lepisma saccharina and keep them away .
Getty Images / Pawich Sattalerd
Silverfish are household pest with scaly , silvery body . They fly high in moist , humid places , so you ’ll likely fleck them in the bathroom , kitchen , or cellar . While silverfish are harmless to mankind and play an all-important role in the ecosystem as decomposers and seminal fluid dispersers , they can destroy books , previous report , wallpaper , carpets , article of furniture , and apparel . An indoor silverfish plague can also argue anunderlying wet problem .
Credit:Getty Images / Pawich Sattalerd
Learn what Lepisma saccharina are , what conditions draw them , plus how to get rid of them and keep them from come back .
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish ( Lepisma saccharina ) are small , wingless , nocturnal dirt ball . They are not fish , but their name comes from their silver color and their wiggling movements that resemble those of a swim Pisces . They have taper tail end , antennae , and Pisces the Fishes - like scales . Although they lack wings , Lepisma saccharina are passing dissolute for hold out . spider , centipedes , andearwigsare natural predators of silverfish .
While silverfish are typically harmless to humans , they can destroy books by feed on protein - plentiful gum tree and bond pastes . They can also damage clothing and food items . mansion of a silverfish infestation let in droppings that resemble tiny black pellets and shed plate . Also follow out for yellow stains on newspaper and clothing .
What Attracts Silverfish?
Like most menage pests , silverfish thrive in the moist , humid environments of basements , lav , kitchens , laundry spaces , and Ionic . These gloomy and damp orbit in your home are ideal for silverfish to lay their ballock . Silverfish are also attracted to food for thought sources full-bodied in carbs and proteins , such as paper , cardboard , key , fabric , and furniture .
How to Get Rid of Silverfish
There are several natural and chemical ways to get rid of Lepisma saccharina .
Control Humidity Levels
Since silverfish are attract to moist , humid environments , reduce your rest home ’s humidness level to below 60 % can help eradicate them . Considerusing a dehumidifierin high - humidity orbit .
Use Store-Bought Traps
Use computer memory - bought sticky traps for silverfish removal . Once the insect crawl and get stuck on the tape , you may safely dispose of them . Or produce a DIY trap by twine the outside of a glass jar with textured adhesive tape , then place stiff food indoors to tease bugs . The textured surface will allow them to go up into the jar easily . The smooth inside surface keep them from crawling back out .
instead , roll up a wet newsprint and place it in a silverfish - prone quad . It will provide the idealistic surround for silverfish to creep in and make a dwelling house . After a sidereal day or two , dispose of the newspaper in a closed food waste bin or cauterise it .
Turn to Natural Repellents
The pungent aroma of essential oils like peppermint , tea tree , and cedar help by nature repel silverfish . They disrupt silverfish pheromone , preventing testis - laying adults from settling into your dwelling . employ the crude directly onto the aerofoil , use a spray feeding bottle with pee and a few drop cloth of the oil , or tally the oil into level cleaning solutions . you may even use oil diffusers in silverfish - prostrate sphere to keep them away year - rotund . bay laurel leaves , cinnamon , citrus fruits , cucumber peels , and dried Eugenia caryophyllatum also push back these insects . Create breathable sachets that you may strategically place around their hotspots .
Some all important oil are not good for pet . register the manufacturer ’s instructions and do research before using in a home with furred friends .
Use Insecticides
There are several insect powder specifically formulated to kill silverfish . Always follow the recording label education carefully and practice caution around children and positron emission tomography . you’re able to try insecticide dusts likediatomaceous globe , boracic acid , and amorphous silica gel in seldom used field , like attics , basements , and creeping spaces . you may also spray the dust into cracks .
If you ’ll be away for a while , try a compounding of insect powder . habituate residuary sprays like propoxur , chlorpyrifos , and bendiocarb , followed by pyrethrins . The residuary sprays can protect your mansion for up to 45 days , while the pyrethrins , which are short - impinging nebulizer , will irritate the bugs and send out them into the residuary spray . For placement , focus on fissure where you often see the bugs .
Opt for Professional Pest Control
If earliest attempts are unsuccessful , apply the services of a pest management professional . They will use a suitable method to get rid of the Lepisma saccharina already inside and prevent new ones from show up later .
How to Keep Silverfish from Coming Back
Dehumidifiers and fans can assist assert optimal humidity levels , creating an unwelcoming surroundings for silverfish . Fix leaksand plumbing issues that may cause damp indoor status . Properly store all dry solid food , preferably in airtight container , to keep them wet - free . Declutter the inside and exterior of your home , andregularly vacuumand dust . To stop silverfish from access your home , apply caulk to seal all potential first appearance points , including crack and crevices around windows , doors , and walls . These measurement should keep silverfish from come back .
