How to get rid of silverfish at home?

The silverfish is a wingless, flat, silvery insect with two long, thin antennae on its head. Along the rear of its tapered body, it has three long, stiff hairs. Adults of these insects measure 1.25 cm (1/2 inch). 

The eggs are pale and oval, measuring about 1 mm (1/32 of an inch) in diameter. The silverfish has shiny silver scales and a uniform color, while the Thermobia (a bug similar to the silverfish) is gray and speckled with darker spots.

Females can lay 10 to 100 eggs in cracks, crevices, and even open areas as early as three months old. Silverfish have a lifespan of four years. They can be found in any room of the house, but they prefer dark, humid environments. 

They follow the plumbing in the basement and hide under shelves, cabinets, baseboards, and window and door frames. These pests can survive for months without food, but if there's a food source nearby, they'll find it. Crumbs, dead insects, starch, glue, wallpaper, and other paper products are all potential food sources.

Fabrics, paper, books, and wallpaper can all be stained. In the case of a prolonged infestation, silverfish can cause considerable damage to your home.

The best way to get rid of a silverfish infestation is to call an exterminator . However, if you have a small number of the insects in your home, here are some ways to help you get rid of silverfish: 

Cedar shavings

Cedar shavings have a pleasant aroma, so the smell in your home won't bother you. Silverfish, on the other hand, are repelled by their scent, making them an excellent way to get rid of them. You can use cedar shavings to deter silverfish in infested areas.

Cedar chips, like any other type of wood chip, are known to make a mess, so use them in areas where you don't mind getting messy, such as the basement or outdoor spaces. You should vacuum and add fresh cedar chips once a week. Another option is to mix cedar oil with water and spray it into cracks and crevices infested with silverfish, as well as other areas where these pests congregate, to keep them away.

Essential oils

Silverfish, like other insects, are repelled by the scents of lemon and lavender. Buy a bottle of lavender or citrus essential oil and dilute it in a large bottle of water. 

Shake the bottle well before spraying it on areas where silverfish are likely to congregate, such as under sinks, in cupboards, and along the edges of walls and windows. 

Spices

Placing spices in your cupboards will repel silverfish while giving them a pleasant scent. Strong-smelling spices, such as cloves, cinnamon, and other pungent spices, are particularly attractive to silverfish.

• Cinnamon is well known for its sweet and pleasant aroma. However, silverfish cannot tolerate this smell. Can cinnamon sticks be placed in contaminated areas such as your study, bathroom, kitchen cabinets, drawers, etc.?
• Citrus fruits are an effective repellent against silverfish. To keep silverfish away, use orange and lemon peels. Keep the fruit peels in areas you suspect may be infested. It's important to remember to change the fruit peels after a certain period of time.
• You can also make a spray by mixing lemon juice with water, pouring the mixture into a spray bottle, and spraying the affected areas. You can use it in your bathroom, sink, gutters, as well as in any nooks and crannies where silverfish might be hiding.

Newspaper

Here's an easy and very effective homemade trap. Roll up some newspapers and secure them with a rubber band at each end. Soak the newspaper rolls in water or run them under the tap until they're damp. 

Place the rolls of newspaper in your home where silverfish congregate before you go to bed. The moisture, food, and shelter will entice them to come. Retrieve your traps in the morning and discard or burn them. If you unroll the newspaper before doing so, they will fly away.

Boric acid

Boric acid is a natural chemical that kills both silverfish and their eggs. Before going to bed, sprinkle boric acid in the areas affected by silverfish and vacuum the next morning. You may need to repeat the process until there are no more silverfish.

Always wear a protective mask when working with boric acid and ensure that no dogs or children come into contact with the product. If you inhale it, seek medical help immediately.

Regular pest control is essential to prevent unwanted insects from entering your home or workplace. Even if your house is the cleanest in the world, silverfish will find a place to live. 

The best way to ensure your home is pest-free is to schedule regular inspections with a pest control company. RD's programs are designed to provide year-round peace of mind.

We offer: 

• Residential Pest Control Service
• Commercial pest control service 
• Agricultural pest control service

Feel free to explore our different packages to find the one that suits you best, or contact us for a quote!