You might have spotted these slithering pests in your bathroom, kitchen, or basement.
Here’s how to get rid of silverfish and keep them away.
Getty Images / Pawich Sattalerd
Silverfish are household pests with scaly, silver bodies.
Credit:Getty Images / Pawich Sattalerd
An indoor silverfish infestation can also indicate anunderlying moisture problem.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless, nocturnal insects.
They have tapered tails, antennae, and fish-like scales.
They can also damage clothing and food items.
Signs of a silverfish infestation include droppings that resemble tiny black pellets and shed scales.
Also watch out for yellow stains on paper and clothing.
What Attracts Silverfish?
These dark and damp areas in your home are ideal for silverfish to lay their eggs.
Considerusing a dehumidifierin high-humidity areas.
Use Store-Bought Traps
Use store-bought sticky traps for silverfish removal.
The textured surface will allow them to climb into the jar easily.
The smooth inside surface prevents them from crawling back out.
Alternatively, roll up a wet newspaper and place it in a silverfish-prone space.
It will provide the ideal environment for silverfish to crawl in and make a home.
After a day or two, dispose of the newspaper in a closed garbage bin or burn it.
They disrupt silverfish pheromones, preventing egg-laying adults from settling into your home.
you’ve got the option to even use oil diffusers in silverfish-prone areas to keep them away year-round.
Bay leaves, cinnamon, citrus fruits, cucumber peels, and dried cloves also repel these insects.
Create breathable sachets that you could strategically place around their hotspots.
Some essential oils are not safe for pets.
Read the manufacturer’s instructions and do research before using in a home with furry friends.
Use Insecticides
There are several insecticides specifically formulated to kill silverfish.
Always follow the label instructions carefully and use caution around children and pets.
you’re able to also spray the dust into cracks.
If youll be away for a while, try a combination of insecticides.
Use residual sprays like propoxur, chlorpyrifos, and bendiocarb, followed by pyrethrins.
For placement, focus on cracks where you often see the bugs.
Properly store all dry food, preferably in airtight containers, to keep them moisture-free.
Declutter the inside and outside of your home, andregularly vacuumand dust.
These measures should keep silverfish from coming back.
