Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Catch the silverfish
• Method 2 of 3: Using repellants and insecticides
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent the silverfish from coming back
• Tips
• Warnings

Silverfish are harmless insects, but these gray-blue, squiggly critters are not exactly pleasant to have around the house. They feed on books, dead skin cells and starch and thrive in dark, wet areas. Once you determine that you have a silverfish infestation, you can control these insects by catching them, using insecticides, and making your home less attractive to them. Read on to learn more about controlling silverfish.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Catch the silverfish

1. Find out where they are hiding. Since silverfish are mainly active at night, you probably won't see them during the day. You are more likely to find out about their presence from the traces they leave. Look for damp, dark areas with tiny bits of excrement that look like black pepper. Small holes and yellowish stains in your clothes, wallpaper, boxes of oatmeal or cornflakes, and other items made of cardboard or cloth are also an indication that silverfish are nearby. Silverfish also shed, so keep an eye out for small shedding patches of skin in your bathroom, basement, and other areas where you suspect silverfish may be living.
2. Place homemade glass traps in front of the silverfish. Take a jam jar or other glass jar. Wrap the pot with a piece of masking tape. Place a piece of bread on the bottom of the pot. Then place the pot in a place where you suspect that silverfish live. The silverfish will climb into the pot to eat the bread, but they will not be able to get out because the glass is too slippery for them.
   • Use the traps at night when the silverfish come out to eat.
3. Try a trap made from newspapers. Roll up a newspaper, roll rubber bands at the ends and moisten the newspaper. Before going to sleep, place your traps in areas where you have often seen feces or pieces of skin from silverfish. The next morning the silverfish will have eaten themselves in the newspaper because you have given them both food and a comfortable place. Dispose of the newspapers without unrolling or burning them. Repeat this every night until you don't see any trace of silverfish.
   • Make as many traps as you need to catch all the silverfish in your house. Depending on how bad the silverfish infestation is, it may be necessary to set the traps several nights in a row.
4. Use store bought traps. If you do not want the silverfish to touch your glassware, you can buy traps at the hardware store that are specially made to catch them. Any kind of glue trap is suitable. Buy some bait boxes or smaller traps that you can set up to catch the silverfish. You can lure them with small pieces of bread or other starchy products.

Method 2 of 3: Using repellants and insecticides

1. Sprinkle silica in your closets and other dark areas. This powdery substance is food safe and is used as a pesticide against all types of insects. Silica is made from ground fossils. The sharp edges of each grain cut through the insects' exoskeleton to kill them without harming humans or pets.
   • Before you go to sleep, sprinkle this stuff in your closets, along your baseboards and anywhere you want. In the morning you then suck up the powder again, along with the dead silverfish.
   • Wear a mask when you scatter the silica. The substance can irritate your lungs.
2. Try boric acid. This is another natural substance that kills silverfish as well as their eggs. Sprinkle boric acid along your baseboards, under your bath and anywhere you see traces of silverfish. Be careful not to inhale this fabric when you are sprinkling. Boric acid is toxic and harmful to your lungs. So don't use it in places where your pets can get to it.
3. Buy a chemical spray that contains liquid pyrethrin. This chemical will kill the silverfish if you spray it along your baseboards and into cracks, or other places where silverfish hide. Do not use the spray in your kitchen cupboards, near food sources or in places where your children and pets come. Pyrethrin is poisonous.
4. Sprinkle some cedar shavings on the areas where the silverfish are hiding. The scent of cedar wood repels silverfish. So you can keep them away by sprinkling some shavings where they live. Since cedar shavings can be a mess, it's best to use it outdoors, in your basement, and other places where there is no problem with some wood shavings on the floor. Vacuum up the shavings and replace it every week.
5. Use sachets of herbs in your kitchen cupboards. Silverfish do not like the scent of herbs. So when you make bags of cloves, cinnamon and other strong smelling spices and hang them in your kitchen cupboards, you have a good and safe way to keep the silverfish away from your food.
6. Use a spray with a citrus or lavender scent. Both scents work very well to keep silverfish away and are also completely safe for humans. Buy some essential oils with lemon or lavender scents at the health food store. Dilute them with water and use a spray bottle to shake the mixture well. Then spray the mixture on all places where you would rather not have silverfish. These sprays are very suitable for wardrobes, drawers and other places in your bedroom.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent the silverfish from coming back

1. Lower the humidity in your home. Since silverfish like moist places, dehumidifying your home is one way you can definitely keep them away. Buy a dehumidifier and try to lower the humidity in your home. If you don't want to use a dehumidifier, turn on the air conditioning or use a fan.
2. Seal any cracks and crevices where silverfish could potentially lay their eggs. If you have a lot of dark, damp cracks and crevices in your home, sealing them is a good way to keep silverfish out. Buy sealant or filler and use it to seal the cracks along your baseboards and the cracks and holes in your floor or wall. It is especially important to do this in your kitchen, bathroom and basement.
3. Remove all food sources from your home. Keeping the floor clear of potential food sources for silverfish can help reduce the amount of silverfish in your home. Do not leave a pile of books on the floor, do not leave your dirty laundry for too long and clean it immediately. In addition to these important food sources, the following sources can also play a role:
   • Carton boxes. Keep your boxes on shelves rather than the floor, where they get damp more quickly.
   • Stock boxes. Keep your food in sealed plastic storage boxes instead of cardboard boxes.
   • Wallpaper. If you have old wallpaper in your house, consider replacing it with wall paint or new wallpaper.
   • Old garments. If you keep your out-of-season clothes in your basement or a dark closet, consider keeping them in plastic bags to keep the silverfish out.
4. Vacuum your house regularly. By sucking you ensure that the silverfish have fewer food sources. In addition, you can vacuum eggs from your carpet and from under your skirting boards. Vacuum your house at least once a week. If necessary, you can let your carpet dry by sprinkling baking soda over it. Let the baking soda sit for a few hours and then vacuum it up again. This way you dry out the eggs so that you can suck them up.

Tips

• Keep your water supply in good condition so that you don't create a moist environment.
• First, check your basement and attic. Insulation material that has a paper backing or is made of cellulose is a rich food source for silverfish.

Warnings

• Be careful when using pesticides. Some substances are harmful to humans and pets if inhaled or swallowed. Make sure you take the necessary safety precautions and check the warning labels before using the product. Always follow the instructions on the packaging.