Silverfish are tiny insects that have an appearance of a grayish-blue color and are covered in scales, which are often described as fish-like. These insects are one of the most common pests that you can find in your home. Although silverfish are harmless to humans, they can cause damage to your belongings. They feed on materials that are high in starches, such as books, paper, boxes, and other starchy materials that you can find in your home. While a silverfish infestation can be frustrating, the good news is that there are lots of ways that you can get rid of them.
Here are the 3 Best Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish in Your Home
Use Cedar Oil
Cedar oil is a common natural insecticide and is used as an effective pest killer for silverfish and other bugs such as clothes moths, bed bugs, flies, and carpet beetles. While the wooden scent of cedar oil might be pleasant to you, to silverfish it isn’t. They hate the strong-smelling pheromones in cedar and are repelled by them.
To get rid of silverfish, use the oil in a diffuser or a spray bottle filled with water and several drops of cedar oil to make a solution. Spray the mixture on the affected areas.
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is known to be an effective killer of both silverfish and their eggs. It is easily found in your local home goods store, making it a cheap and easy solution to get rid of silverfish. Spread a thin layer of boric acid on the back side of cabinets, under the bathtub, along baseboards, and in other areas where you noticed silverfish.
You need to be careful when using boric acid since it is toxic if you inhale or ingest it. It’s best to use it in remote areas where your children and household pets can’t reach it.
Use Newspaper Traps
To use the newspaper as a silverfish trap, you need to wet it first and roll it up, then band the ends with an elastic band to secure it. Place the trap in areas where you often see silverfish and leave it overnight. Silverfish will crawl into it and start making their homes since you’ve provided them with food and a snug environment. When you notice that the silverfish have invaded the newspaper, throw it away without unrolling it or burn it to ensure that the silverfish will not find its way to your home again. You can do this multiple times until you don’t see any more signs of silverfish.