Although they are harmless, silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) can be annoying, which is why many people are interested in knowing how to get rid of them.
Let's see how their presence in your home or garden can affect you and what you can do to get rid of them.
What are silverfish and why do they appear?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless insects with flattened bodies. They are distinguished by their long antennae and three appendages at the end of their abdomen , and get their nickname from their silvery color and the undulating, fish-like movement they make when walking.
Unlike other insects, whose life cycle is very short, a silverfish can live between two and eight years . Furthermore, its life cycle is very rapid, so it can become a persistent pest if not controlled in time.
You'll usually find them inside your home, but they can also appear in the garden.
Inside the home they are usually in:
- Toilets.
- Kitchens.
- Basements.
- Penthouses.
- Wardrobes with clothes.
- Shelves with books or papers.
In the garden it is common to see them in:
- Piles of fallen leaves, wood or compost.
- Cracks in walls.
- Wet pot edges.
The factors that favor its presence are:
- High humidity level.
- Warm temperatures.
- Food scraps, paper, cardboard, mold or dirt.
- Cracks and crevices in which they can take shelter.
Are silverfish dangerous?
They may not look very appealing, but these insects are completely harmless to people and animals . They don't bite, sting, or feel poisonous to the touch, and they don't transmit any diseases.
What happens is that when their presence reaches the level of being a pest, they can cause some problems:
- They damage objects. They feed on starch and cellulose, so they can gnaw on books, cardboard, carpets, and even some natural fabrics.
- If they "sneak" into the pantry can contaminate food like flour or sugar with their droppings or flakes.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish at Home
Although they don't cause any harm, watching them scamper around with that long, silver body isn't very pleasant. If you want to get rid of them, try these tips:
Reduces humidity
If your home has high humidity, it's time to reduce it. This may involve: using dehumidifiers , ventilating all rooms well, repairing any water leaks, and avoiding drying clothes indoors if there isn't good ventilation.
Deep clean
These tiny insects feed on microscopic debris that we can't see with the naked eye. Therefore, a thorough cleaning can help eliminate them.
- Regularly vacuum carpets, baseboards, and behind furniture.
- Clean kitchen and bathroom cabinets, preventing the accumulation of debris.
- Store books, important papers, and unused clothing in airtight containers.
Eliminate hiding places
Silverfish love to hide in dark, damp corners , so try to get rid of them:
- Seal cracks in walls, floors, and door or window frames.
- Use putty or silicone to close the gaps behind built-in furniture.
- If you usually store things in cardboard boxes, check their condition, as they can serve as nesting boxes.
use cheats
You can opt for sticky traps, sold at hardware stores, or homemade traps like these:
- Place a glass jar of oatmeal as bait and wrap the inside with double-sided tape. Silverfish will be able to enter, but not leave.
- Sprinkle boric acid or other liquid into cracks or corners. diatomaceous earth. Be careful with this option if you have small children or pets.
Turn to insecticides
If the infestation is serious, you'll need to resort to commercial insecticides. Apply them to baseboards, corners, behind furniture, and in damp areas.
To get rid of these insects you need a product that contains permethrin, deltamethrin or cypermethrin.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish in the Garden
If your problem is external, try these solutions:
- Control humidity. Avoid overwatering, improve soil drainage and eliminate waterlogging.
- Eliminate shelters. Remove old wood or uncovered compost piles; prune plants near walls or walls (they create damp shadows), and keep decorative stones or paving stones dry and well-ventilated. You can also seal any cracks and crevices you see to give them nowhere to hide.
- Use biological or natural control. You can use diatomaceous earth. Also, if you have centipedes or spiders in your garden, these are natural predators of silverfish. Let them do their work.
When to call a professional?
In most cases, it's possible to control the presence of silverfish in your home or garden with the tricks we've discussed. However, since they reproduce so quickly, you could be facing an infestation almost without realizing it.
If, after applying solutions like the ones we've given you, the number of silverfish remains high, it's time to consult a specialist. They will accurately identify the source of the infestation and use more powerful products.
After removal using home methods or professional methods, take steps to prevent its recurrence :
- Keep the humidity level below 60%.
- Vacuum the house frequently, paying special attention to the corners that are usually forgotten.
- Don't accumulate papers, cardboard boxes, or clothes you don't use.
- Periodically check areas that are prone to moisture.
- Store food in airtight containers and make sure there are no crumbs or other food debris on the floor or on surfaces like the countertop.
When it comes to how to get rid of silverfish, consistency is the key to success. If you make sure to thoroughly clean every nook and cranny and control humidity, it shouldn't take long to solve the problem.