Don’t let these creepy crawlers hang out in your home.
Learn how to get rid of silverfish easily in your home with pesticides or natural methodsand some lifestyle changes.
Michael Rust, distinguished professor of entomology at University of California Riverside.
Photo:TorriPhoto/Getty Images
Are Silverfish Harmful?
Since silverfish are nocturnal, you typically won’t see them during the day.
Or, Dr. Rust recommends covering small, glass jars on the outside with masking tape.
Place either jot down of trap in corners and near potential food and water sources.
The insects pick up the desiccant as they move and it causes them to lose moisture and die.
These powders work quite well if kept dry and can be effective for several weeks.
Reapply if the desiccant becomes damp, as it will harden and be ineffective.
Keep cereals, grains, pasta, and dry pet food in sealed containers.
Reduce Humidity
Silverfish love moisture and high humidity, especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
Use caulking sealants or weather stripping to keep insects out of your home.
Get rid of clutter and store items in sealable plastic containers.
Silverfish can live for three years, or more, and produce more than 50 offspring.
Essential oil from the leaves ofCryptomeria japonicaacts as a silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) repellent and insecticide.
The Japan Wood Research Society 52: 522-526.
