Silverfish: How To Get Rid Of Their Appearance In An Apartment Or House, Various Methods Of Struggle At Home

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How to get rid of silverfish in living quarters using folk methods and industrial tools

A cozy house or apartment is a kind of fortress for its residents, protecting them from uninvited guests who can cause discomfort. However, sometimes uninvited visitors can secretly violate the boundaries of your territory, settling in your apartment and causing a lot of harm. But who is capable of doing such an act without the knowledge of the landlord? Meet these silverfish - small pests that live next to you and prefer to be in charge of your house at night.

Content

• 1 Who are silverfish and why do they appear in our homes

• 2 Video: an insect under a microscope

  2.1 Does it make sense to process one apartment. Pros and cons of professional pest control

• 3 Means and methods to get rid of silverfish

  • 3.1 Using alum
  • 3.2 Using boric acid
  • 3.3 Tobacco, red pepper and baking soda
  • 3.4 Spices
  • 3.5 Cedar shavings
  • 3.6 Lavender oil
  • 3.7 Fresh cucumbers
  • 3.8 Orange or Lemon Peel

  • 3.9 Homemade traps

    • 3.9.1 Option 1
    • 3.9.2 Option 2
  • 3.10 General industrial remedies used in the fight against silverfish
  • 3.11 Crayons and pencils and gels
  • 3.12 Sticky insect traps
  • 3.13 Fumigators, ultrasonic repellents

• 4 Rating of the best silverfish remedies according to reviews of Internet users

  • 4.1 Karbofos
  • 4.2 Raptor
  • 4.3 Destroy with liquid pyrethrin
  • 4.4 How to etch with mothballs
  • 4.5 "Diatonite"
• 5 Prevention of the appearance of silverfish in the house, in the bathroom, in the apartment
• 6 Video about silverfish (in English)

Who are silverfish and why do they appear in our homes

Sometimes the first meeting with a silverfish can cause genuine surprise, since it is almost impossible to catch these small and nimble insects by surprise during daylight hours. A graceful oblong body resembling a droplet or a small flat fish, slightly thickened in front, possessing the smallest antennae and many legs, these are the hallmarks of this nocturnal creature that prefers to settle in bathrooms, kitchens, basements and toilets.

silverfish is a frequent visitor to apartments and houses with high humidity levels

The insect itself is very mobile and is able to instantly disappear from sight, hiding in any gap. Its size is no more than 3 mm to 1 cm, depending on age. And the color of the silverfish's body depends on its variety. Most often, residents of houses come across silver, sugar and common silverfish. Insects with greenish, white and yellowish color are much less common. This creature lacks wings, however, there are long antennae resembling antennas, sticking out in front and behind. And a large number of tiny paws allows him to move at great speed.

silverfish are of several types

one of the varieties of silverfish

sugar silverfish

one of the varieties of silverfish

silver silverfish

Usually, these insects prefer to run exclusively on the floor, which is due to an attempt to get food. The main source of food for them is paper, fabrics, mold and mildew, characteristic of rooms with high levels of humidity, as well as starch, food debris, sweets, and glue, which can cause significant damage to your home. A large number of spawning silverfish can cause significant damage to your library, as well as archives with family photos. They are also capable of ruining your wardrobe, wallpaper, leaving small holes on them that resemble perforations.

silverfish can cause significant damage to your home library

Silverfish reproduce quickly enough. Every day, a sexually mature female lays from 2 to 20 eggs, of which young offspring will hatch after 25 days. The lifespan of these representatives of the bristle-tails is three years. It is for this reason that it is advisable to take measures as early as possible to get rid of these insects that are suddenly found in your apartment.

In most cases, silverfish willingly settle in rooms with obvious violations of the microclimate. The optimal conditions for them are a humid environment (from 75%), as well as the presence of heat (from 23 C) and a sufficient amount of food. These little creatures most often make their way to apartments through ventilation pipes, open windows, cracks in the walls. However, sometimes you can accidentally bring silverfish to your home on your own, along with paper products, packaging materials, things from the basement, library books, building materials.

silverfish in quarire

The favorite habitats of silverfish in houses are:

• Bathroom and toilet and laundry room,
• Home library,
• Kitchen,
• Pantry,
• Basement.

You can notice the appearance of these uninvited guests in your apartment by traces of damage to property, as well as by accidentally discovering their droppings, which can be on the table, dishes, and also in bulk food. Outwardly, it resembles grains of black pepper. This insect can lay its eggs anywhere, however, it is very difficult to notice them.

silverfish droppings look like black pepper

Video: an insect under a microscope

Does it make sense to process one apartment. Pros and cons of professional pest control

Living in an apartment building, and regularly suffering from the invasion of these not very pleasant-looking insects, it is advisable to seek help from specialized companies offering professional pest control services. Thanks to the use of a number of modern chemicals aimed at combating various types of domestic insects, professionals will be able to process such large areas as basements and attics as efficiently and quickly as possible. This will allow you to get rid of silverfish for the longest possible period of time, as well as prevent the possibility of their reappearance.

specialist who conducts professional pest control in the apartment

Self-processing of premises, based on the use of folk and improvised means, will not be able to provide such a result. However, with its help, you can reduce the number of silverfish living in your apartment, thereby suspending the rate of their reproduction.

Due to the availability of specialized equipment that allows you to process even hard-to-reach places, such companies can also take care of the individual disinfection of your apartment. The disadvantage of such events may be the need to leave the room for a certain time after the procedure. And also the need to organize general cleaning of the apartment.

According to the data obtained from specialists involved in the destruction of harmful domestic insects, silverfish do not tolerate cold, dying at temperatures as low as -10C. Such treatment can act as an alternative to the use of specialized chemicals, however, it will not provide long-term preventive protection. By providing an integrated approach to solving the problem of silverfish appearing in your home, you can get rid of them forever.

To forget about the existence of silverfish, as well as prevent the possibility of their penetration into the apartment from the outside, the following actions will help you:

• maintaining cleanliness in the premises,
• reducing humidity levels by using air conditioners, desiccants and fans,
• repair of leaking plumbing,
• elimination of deep cracks in the walls of the room, as well as gaps around sewer pipes and water supply risers.

Means and methods to get rid of silverfish

Currently, there are many folk ways to cope with silverfish, without the need to use industrial chemicals. The disadvantage of these methods is not very high efficiency, however, repeated use and an integrated approach can help expel these harmful insects from your home. The obvious advantage of folk methods is complete safety for children and pets, due to the absence of aggressive and toxic chemical elements.

With alum

1. To combat these little pests, measure out 500 ml of boiling water.
2. Dissolve 100 g of alum in it.
3. Pour the resulting solution into a spray bottle.

4. Spray the composition in the places of the greatest accumulation of silverfish.

   This will kill a large number of these little intruders. If necessary, the procedure should be repeated several times.

alum will help get rid of silverfish

Using boric acid

1. Take boric acid powder and mix it thoroughly with chalk, keeping a 1: 4 ratio.
2. Then pour the resulting mixture in the habitats of silverfish.
3. After a week, clean the room, sweeping away the remains of the powder along with dead insects.

4. After cleaning, treat the room again, leaving the powder for a week.

   This will allow the destruction of young individuals that hatched from eggs after the destruction of their parents.

boric acid is often used to combat silverfish

Tobacco, red peppers, and baking soda

1. Take 3 g each of shredded tobacco, red pepper, and baking soda.
2. Pour in the mixture with one liter of water.
3. Pour the composition into a spray bottle.
4. Spray the liquid in the silverfish habitats.
5. After 8 hours, wash the floor and walls with clean water and bleach.

ground red pepper is part of the product that allows you to get rid of silverfish

Spice

A variety of spices help effectively get rid of silverfish, as well as scare them away. For this purpose, you can use cloves and cinnamon, which must be laid out in clothes and bookcases. Bay leaves, sage, and garlic also have no less effective properties.

cloves and cinnamon can scare away silverfish

Cedar shavings

These insects do not like cedar shavings. Placing a few chips of cedar wood in the places where silverfish appear most often, you can drive them out of there forever.

cedar shavings will protect your home from silverfish

Lavender oil

1. Take a few drops of lavender oil and dissolve them in water.

2. Pour liquid into a spray bottle and treat the places where silverfish accumulate.

   This will also scare away insects, however, it will not be possible to destroy them completely, thus.

silverfish cannot stand the scent of lavender oil

Fresh cucumbers

It has been noticed that silverfish are very negative about fresh cucumbers. Cutting this vegetable into small slices and spreading them out in a room infested with these insects can effectively drive them away. However, it will not work to destroy them in this way.

fresh cucumber

Orange or lemon zest

As an effective repeller of this type of insect, you can use orange and lemon peel, which is enough to spread throughout the room. It is recommended to change such a repeller once a week.

silverfish can be scared off with lemon and orange peel

Homemade traps

In addition to the proposed options, you can use the help of homemade traps that allow you to catch and destroy insects running around your apartment at night.

Option 1

1. Take a glass jar with a capacity of 0.5 to 1 liter and wrap it with electrical tape.
2. Put some sugar or starch inside the jar as bait.
3. Place the container on the floor and leave it there overnight.
4. In the morning, inside the jar, you will find silverfish trapped in your trap, which could not get out along the slippery glass walls.

homemade silverfish trap made from a can

Option 2

1. Take a newspaper and roll it up, securing the edges with rubber bands.
2. Dampen a newspaper roll with water and place it on the floor, leaving it indoors overnight.
3. In the morning, take a trap with insects sitting in it and burn it.

homemade silverfish trap made from newspaper

Universal industrial remedies used in the fight against silverfish

Thanks to the use of industrial insect control products, you can achieve better results, as well as protect your home from the reappearance of silverfish for a long time. Among the rich assortment of these products, divided into several categories, including:

• insecticidal aerosols,
• insecticide concentrates in the form of a spray,
• insecticidal powders,
• insecticidal crayons (pencils),
• gels from cockroaches and domestic ants,
• sticky insect traps,
• poisoned baits,
• fumigators,
• ultrasonic scarers,

Far not all drugs are able to provide the desired result. According to Californian scientists, a very large percentage of insecticides marked "against silverfish" have a low effect due to the lack of necessary tests.

To a greater extent, bulk poisons and dusts that are not exposed to moisture allow to achieve the desired result. The stuck together poisonous lumps attract little to this type of insect.

In second place in terms of effectiveness are all kinds of sprays and aerosols. However, their effectiveness depends on the possibility of direct contact with insects. Of all the variety of these products developed to combat various types of domestic pests, it is best to give preference to formulations containing pyretoids and pyrethrin, which include: phenothrin, biphenatrine, tetramethrin, cyfluthrin.

The least effective, according to experts, are powders, including boric acid. However, silverfish quite actively use products containing silica gel, diatomaceous earth and pyrethrin, leading to their death.

You can also use insecticidal aerosols such as:

• Dichlorvos,
• Aerosol Clean House,
• Combat Superspray.

insecticidal aerosols

Among the insecticide concentrates, which are odorless and suitable for combating silverfish, the following products should be noted by the name:

• Delta Zone,
• Ram,
• Xulat Miko,
• Tetrixi,
• Cucaracha,
• Get

effective insecticide concentrates

Some of the most effective insecticidal powders include:

• Ripan,
• Insect dust Clean house,
• Phenaxine.

specialized insecticidal powders

Crayons and pencils and gels

A variety of crayons and pencils have a lower effect. However, due to the anatomical structure of silverfish, a sufficiently large amount of poison is still able to penetrate into its body. Such products are effective as barrier agents that can prevent silverfish from entering the premises from the outside.

crayons, pencils, gels for insect control

Sticky insect traps

Purchased sticky insect traps can be used as a preventive measure, which can significantly reduce the number of pests in the room. However, they are not able to solve the problem completely.

Purchased insect traps

Fumigators, ultrasonic scarers

Fumigators and ultrasonic repellents, which do not bring even minimal results, have the lowest efficiency in the fight against silverfish.

fumigator

ultrasonic repeller

Rating of the best silverfish remedies according to reviews of Internet users

According to many Internet users who are faced with the problem of silverfish appearing in the house, among a wide range of various means, the following are most effective:

Karbofos

For the most effective fight against the invasion of silverfish, you can use the drug "Karbofos", designed to protect against a large list of domestic pests. This long lasting product can be combined with other types of insecticides and has a low cost. However, it has a very pungent odor. And with its long use, insects develop addiction to its components. In addition, this drug is highly toxic and is not recommended for indoor use with children and pets. The solution of "Karbofos" is applied to surfaces using a spray gun. After 2 days, wet cleaning must be carried out in the treated room.

Karbofos - a universal insect repellent

Raptor

Raptor gel is no less effective against silverfish, which should be applied along the cracks in the room. Or on a piece of cardboard that should be placed on the floor. However, it is advisable to use such a remedy in homes where there are no small children and pets.

gel raptor

Destroy with liquid pyrethrin

Liquid pyrethrin will help to effectively get rid of silverfish, which should be sprayed over crevices and in places where insects accumulate. However, such a product should not be used in homes where there are children and pets, as well as in rooms with food.

liquid pyrethrin

How to etch with mothballs

In the habitats of silverfish, you can lay out bags of mothballs. However, it should be remembered that this substance can be dangerous for people and animals, since its fumes are poisonous.

naphthalene in a bag

Diatonite

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the floor where silverfish appear. Due to the structure of this breed, which has many small and sharp edges that can pass through the body of insects, it will be possible to significantly reduce their number in rooms. It is advisable to apply Diatonit to the floor covering at night, using a mask. And in the morning, gently sweep it off with a broom, or collect it with a vacuum cleaner along with dead insects. This method is completely safe for people and pets.

Diatonite earth

Prevention of the appearance of silverfish in the house, in the bathroom, in the apartment

To prevent silverfish from settling in your apartment, you can take the following preventive actions.

• Try to avoid high levels of humidity in the room. Dry bathrooms and toilets as thoroughly as possible using electric heated towel rails and fans.
• Ensure good ventilation in the apartment by regularly ventilating the premises, as well as using air conditioners.
• If possible, get rid of cracks in the walls.
• Carry out high-quality and regular cleaning of rooms, as well as bathrooms, using disinfectants that contain chlorine.
• Do not leave open food in the kitchen. It is advisable to use hermetically sealed containers for bulk materials.
• If you have clothes that are temporarily not used in socks, it is advisable to store them in vacuum plastic bags.
• When storing books, you should try to create as dry conditions as possible.

Silverfish video (in English)

Using the described folk methods, which are characterized by maximum safety for people and animals, as well as industrial production facilities with a high level of efficiency, you will be able to rid your home of silverfish, which are not a little troublesome. However, without an integrated approach, their disappearance may be temporary. It is for this reason that it is advisable to regularly carry out preventive measures to ensure the absence of the necessary conditions for the life of this type of insect in your apartment.