No, please do not mix with the fish in the aquarium. It is silverfish. Mention the word to a ardent book lover and you can find them seething in anger. They can wreak havoc on the old books, clothes and even feed on left-overs. Yes, they are harmless and does not cause injury to human body. But they damage your favorite book, photo albums and other materials containing starch. Period, if left unattended. In this article, you will get to know simple methods on how to get rid of silverfish in your home.
If you have found they are in your home in large numbers, eradication is possible by several methods. Some are laying traps, use of repelants and elimination by insecticides. But the best one is to make the places less hospitable. Mentioned below are some of the methods on how to get rid of silverfish.
How to Get Rid Of Silverfish
1. First Figure Out The Places
They are mostly active during night. You seldom see them, unless you disturb the place where they lurk in normal situations. You can identify their presence by their actions. Some of the infestation symptoms are
- If you see small holes in clothes washed by starch
- Damage signs on cereal boxes, wallpaper, fabric or cardboard
2. Glass Traps (HomeMade)
Take a simple glass container of small size. You have to wrap the container’s exterior with masking tape. Now, place bread pieces in the bottom of the container. If you suspect an area of silverfish infestation, keep the item in the area. You need to wrap the tape right from the top to the bottom. The pests will definitely slide to the bottom to eat the food, but they cannot climb up. The glass is too slippery for their feet. The method, is effective if done at night. But ensure you or your family members do not trip over the glass. This is one of the best methods to get rid of silverfish from your home.
3. Newspaper Traps
Having a old newspaper at home? It is the best way to lay a trap. Roll the newspaper, tighten the ends with elastic rubber bands. Now moisten the paper. Now set it at a place where you have seen silverfish in the night.
In the morning, silverfish have enjoyed their fill and will rest. The reason – you have provided food and the best environment. Now, throw the papers in to the dustbin far away from the home. The best way is to burn them. Do this method every other night, and you will get rid of all silverfish.
4. Other Methods
Boric Acid – be careful with this method. It is unsafe to inhale the smell of liquid. The reason – toxicity to the lungs. You can sprinkle the acid in places around the bathtub, baseboards. Be careful with pets and children.
Cedar Shavings – All silverfish have one enemy – cedar smell. They get repelled. You can try the method in outside areas such as basements, outdoor areas etc. Yes, do not keep the same wood shavings for a month. Clean them up and replace them with new every week.
Spices – yes, silverfish detest the smell coming from spices. Okay, now you feel as if in home. Make small sachets of cinnamon, cloves and spices with strong smell from kitchen cabinets. That is a great method to keep them away from the books and the kitchen table.
Citrus and Lavender Spray – Both the scents are non-toxic to humans and enhance the ambience of the room. But yes, they can repel silverfish. The best and easy method is as follows –
Take some lemon or lavender oil. Now mix with water in equal amounts. Shake the bottle well to make a perfect combination. Then sprinkle on spots where you feel the infestation of silverfish. Do not forget the drawers, closets and areas where you store books.
Conclusion
You have read the article. The family members have followed the instructions to the T. But find that the silverfish come back again and again. That is when you decide to go for the best pest control companies in Bangalore. You never sought for referrals nor checked on established listing website. The reason, Bro4u. We have top quality professional pest control vendors in our team. Their skills and credentials have already been verified by our management. To book a service, all you need to do is to download the Bro4u app and place a request to get a quick solution to the problem.
