The insect known as silverfish is a very primitive insect and is even older than the cockroach. However if you have silverfish in your home you probably don’t care too much about their history, you simply want to know how to get rid of them as quickly, cheaply and simply as possible.
What you do need to know however, is what living conditions they thrive in. If you understand this fact then you’ll be better equipped in eradicating them from your home. Fist off, they absolutely love humidity. This means you will normally find them in rooms such as your bathroom, kitchen and basement where humidity can be a problem.
If you have any problems with your plumbing leaking then this could be a contributing factor to why you have a problem with silverfish in your house. This means you need to get your plumbing fixed to get rid of these leaks. You should also consider having ventilation installed and even a dehumidifier.
In addition to humidity, they also love a temperature which is between 70 and 80° F. So, ideally, you will want to heat your home to above 80° F or cool it down to below 70°F.
When silverfish need to get something to eat they can actually eat the glue from your wallpaper. This means if you have wallpaper that’s peeling away you ought to repair it or even remove it altogether. Silverfish can also eat cereals, silk, paper, starches and just about anything that is of an organic origin. So make sure you do your best to store food away tightly and clean up any spillages as quickly as possible.
Silverfish can also enter your home via a variety of different cracks in your home. So if you really want to get rid of silverfish and keep them away you need to go around your home to fill up as many cracks as you possibly can. Plaster, expanding foam or caulk can work well.
OK, so now you know what conditions they hate, now you need to know how to kill them off. Well, there are products on the market that will help you do this. The first step is to use residual insecticides that can be sprayed in areas where the insects enter your house and they can also be used in the foundations. The products are odour-free and the wettable powder (WP) from Demon WP and Cyper WP will leave a light film that you will be able to see on dark surfaces. However Cyonara 9.7 leaves no such film.
If you are still having trouble getting rid of them then you might find them hiding in insulation, boxes, light fixtures and under siding. You will therefore want to use dust or bait in these areas, just make sure the areas are hidden rather than visible. Silverfish Paks are also available and they are basically very thin packs that you hide under your carpets, in wardrobes, drawers and behind curtains. The silverfish will be attracted to the paks, eat their way through them and then die.
Hopefully you will now have the know-how to get rid of your horrible silverfish insects and keep them away for good. If you carry out these measure you will also find yourself preventing other nasties such as mold, rot and mice. Just make sure you do your research and understand what you are getting yourself in for. Don’t use products intended for outdoor use indoors and keep pets and children away from any poisons.
