My first experience with a silverfish, not to be confused with a silver fish, was in the shower where they're commonly found. There I was, under the warmth of the spray, soaking in the mist and humidity while I gently soaped my soiled body. Oblivious to everything, I felt a sudden wriggling under the arch of my foot. So naturally, being an overweight hairy dude, I jumped, dropped my rag, and screamed like a little girl. Luckily, I was alone in the house, so no damage was done to my street cred. Unfortunately for the silverfish, however, he became silversquish and sailed away down the drain. These nasty little insects, known to entomologists as Lepisma saccharina, are even more primitive than the cockroach. Silverfish infestations are usually small and take quite awhile to grow. Once established ,though, they can make for stubborn house guests. This article will give you some hints on silverfish prevention, silverfish control, and silverfish extermination.
Silverfish Prevention & Control
Reduce humidity. Water is the key element for silverfish survival. Ventilate attics and basements. Invest in dehumidifiers and fans. Remove water sources. Replace or fix leaky pipes and faucets. Close shower curtains completely. If you don’t have to worry about pets or children getting into it, place silica gel in corners, holes, cracks, and in the cupboard under the sink.
Sanitation. Silverfish are able to live up to a year without food. Be sure to sweep, vacuum, or mop diligently. Silverfish eat cereal grains, starches, and anything else they can find. They also eat paper, paper sizing, and book glue, so keep papers, magazines, and books in containers with tight lids. Cotton, silk, and linen are also tasty, so pick up the laundry and pay attention to what your rugs are made of. Get rid of mold, too; it’s also on the menu.
Repair or remove wallpaper. Wallpaper glue can serve as a silverfish meal. If the corners or the edges of a strip of wallpaper are peeling or coming up, you will need to either reattach it, cut it off, or, worst case scenario (and most effective), remove the wallpaper altogether.
Regulate heat and light. Common silverfish do not like heat or light. They prefer temps between 70 and 80° F. If you can tolerate it, heat the infested room to above 80°F or cool it to 60°F. Use light to force them into areas where they are easier to control.
Cover or fill entry points. Look carefully for any holes or cracks in walls and floors. Use plaster or caulking to fill them. Silverfish use these holes for entrance into your home. They will also use these same protected places to deposit eggs. Pay extra attention to the small crack between the runner board and the floor.Silverfish Extermination
Taking care of an existing silverfish infestation will usually require a combination of preventative measures plus a substance for killing silverfish. After you have removed the water, food, and humidity, it’s time to say goodbye to the silverfish bug. The number of commercial products for silverfish pest control is astounding. Residual sprays containing Cypermethrin, such as Demon WP, Cynoff WP, and Cyper WP, leave a film on surfaces allowing these insecticides to work for several months. Talstar One works in the same manner but does not leave a visible residue. Baits, such as Niban, Intice Granular Baits and Silverfish Paks, work well to lure out the silverfish pest. Desiccants, like Drione Dust, dry the silverfish out and work very well for filling in cracks. Aerosols, such as Raid and Air Devil, are also nice for harder to reach places. As with all insecticides, read the directions and warnings very carefully. Not all are meant for indoor use where people and animals might come into contact with them.
