Silverfish is an insect small sizes without wings, which belongs to the order Thysanura. The name of this insect is derived from their appearance. They have gray metallic scales on the body combined with movements similar to those of fish. These are insects that can protect from their natural predators (spiders and millipedes) due to the displacement and velocity ablităţii. This applies on horizontal surfaces, smooth and not vertical, making it difficult to move on the walls, for example. So you really need to know how to get rid of silverfish because it can be a serious infestation in your house. This is what this guide will do for you, combat and prevent the silverfish for a healthy house.
Although adapt in any environment and can survive a long time without food even though preferred silverfish humidity and high-temperature environments. In urban areas, the living conditions are favorable in the bathroom, toilet, laundry, basement and kitchen. Since avoiding light during the day, they hide in holes, cracks dark as washing machines or wallpaper unglued. They are attracted and cellulosic materials or wet clothing can be found in cabinets or storage boxes, and because food preferences can be found in cans and food packages left unclosed.
But to be considered true pests they must be present in large numbers, but always the appearance of a silverfish in your home indicates that there are others well hidden somewhere.
Before getting rid of infestation silverfish, it is important to make sure that the insects you want to be exterminated at all costs in your home are silverfish, not other insects that look like them from a physical and behavioral standpoint, such as some goldfish species of millipedes. Here are some distinctive features that will help you identify what kind of insect species you encounter:
Silverfish:
– are insects with a size between 13 to 25 mm in length, typically having metallic gray color brilliance;
– prefer warm environments, wet and dark;
– are most common in the bathroom, the showers or sinks in the basement of buildings or wash laundry.
The fireplace goldfish:
– are insects sizes from 1- 1.5 cm in length, typically having a brown color;
– prefers hot and humid environments, but a dry moisture;
– are most common in the bathroom, boiler room or the stove, where the prevailing high temperatures and dry.
Millipedes:
– are insects sizes from 1- 2 cm in length, typically having yellow color shades of gray;
– Particularly preferred is wet and cool;
– has several pairs of legs, usually 15, so that a closer look will know to distinguish between silverfish and millipedes.
Signs of infestation with silverfish
Since the silverfish is an insect night, this means that you do not really sense the presence during the day. Also, these insects have the ability to stay hidden, so you may not be aware of this insect infestation until you see a bug or there accidentally detected traces of their infestation. Such clues could be:
– excrement silverfish, which looks like black pepper, especially in the areas they preferred to hide: in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, etc., especially in moist areas in your home;
– small holes and yellowish spots on clothing, wallpaper, cereal boxes, and other cellulosic materials or textile materials may be signs that indicate a silverfish infestation;
– remnants of dry skin or scales, which silverfish leaves after shedding repeated that go through the stage of development (between 17 and 66 molting in life, sometimes even 30 molting per year). Looking for such signs especially where silverfish customary to hide.
Once you have determined that you are experiencing a silverfish infestation, you can use one or more methods to get rid of these unpleasant insects, which we present below:
1. Use traps for silverfish
You can capture the fish silver using traps that you yourself fashioned them. Thus, you can create a trap for the insects only a glass or glass jar and a paper tape. Wrap the outside of the cup to the paper then placed inside the container a piece of bread as bait that will attract the silverfish inside the cup without them longer be able to escape as they will slip on glass walls when they try to come out. Install this trap at night when insects out of their hiding places to seek food and place them in areas where you suspect there are more silverfish.
Also, another effective trap to catch the fish of silver is a newspaper that it will be previously wet with water. Install this trap all night in areas where you have found signs of these insects. As you silverfish made available not only food but also a comfortable environment, you should not be surprised when you find the morning newspaper in many insects. Remove infested newspaper or even to give them fire to make sure that these insects have no chance of escape and repeat the process until you will not find any trace of insects.
The variations can be endless. Keep the imagination. It is possible to manufacture all kinds of traps starting from their eating habits (paper, sugar, starch) and using a sticky tape, honey or syrup, which will remain fixed.
2. Use natural insecticides against silverfish
There are some natural solutions that can be used against many pests and is also where silverfish. These solutions include diatomaceous earth and boric acid. What they are and how they act?
The diatomaceous earth.
In 30 million years ago, silica shells of unicellular algae (diatoms) formed on the ocean floor impressive diatomite deposits. The fossil shells are extracted and then ground into sharp pieces of silicon true that are successfully used as a dehydrating agent.
Diatomaceous earth looks like talcum powder, and the insect is a fatal causing scratches and dust absorbed on the surface of the wax of insects, allowing them to die by dehydration. It will produce the same effect when inhaled insects. Important to note is that it does not break down in the environment, so that it is effective to wash or into the soil (having a high mineral content will contribute to further improvement). Not toxic to mammals but will irritate mucous membranes if inhaled it. For the same reason, it is recommended to wear a protective mask.
Boric acid.
Boric acid is a natural compound containing boron, oxygen, and hydrogen (its chemical formula is H3BO3). Is in the form of colorless crystals (shown as table salt) or as a white powder and dissolved in water. Boric acid does not kill insects but rather acts as a desiccant to dehydrate the small insects by causing the exoskeleton causing cracks finally drying them. “Salinity” boric acid also interferes with the metabolism of simple electrolyte insects.
Due to the fact that the two insecticides in the form of powder are effective only when the insects are in direct contact with the powder having an area for limited more for internal use. It can be used in remote areas without water and to not lose effect, such as cracks and crevices in walls or foundation, baseboards, etc.
3. Use natural sprays against silverfish
To prevent silverfish to approach certain areas such as cabinets, drawers, or other areas of the bedroom or home where you do not want the use of insecticides to call a natural solution based on lemon and lavender oil. These substances are well-stirred dilute with water in a spray applied in abundance and having a refreshing effect of the house with a refreshing and fragrant perfume.
4. Use natural flavors against silverfish
Silver fishes hate certain scents and avoid areas that emit an odor of cinnamon, cloves, rosemary, camphor, cedar cucumber. Strong aroma of cinnamon and cloves and the strong smell of spices will keep away silverfish from your home, so it will be enough to place in areas where they prefer to hide bags with such flavor to prevent possible infestation.
You can also use cedar sawdust in areas where you suspect might hide silver fishes. Since that sawdust might make you a little mess, you should use it outside the house especially if there have identified a population of such insects. To maintain effect silverfish repellent that sawdust should be drawn săpămânal and replaced with a fresh one.
Another unpleasant smell for silverfish is camphor. This flavor was obtained from the resin camphor tree but can be obtained synthetically are found in specialty stores in the form of a white resin.
Rosemary is a herb that keeps away any silverfish. Place the bags with fresh or dried rosemary indoors, especially in areas preferred by these insects can cultivate the plant in the yard to create a natural barrier against silverfish. You can also use fresh cucumber peel and placed strategically around your home.
What you should know is that these flavors will prevent the insects to approach your house but will not be able to physically eliminate insects or their eggs. I really hope that this information answered all your concerns on how to get rid of silverfish because I know how serious it gets in time.
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Image Credits: Backyard Zoologist
