We have been having trouble with silver fish in our home. From what I have read they are attracted mostly to moisture and books because of the glue used to put the books together. We have tried several different things, but they haven't worked. The problem is, where we find them, there is no moisture and no books! We have searched the stores and no one sells anything to use on silver fish. I have seen a "glue strip" online, but have not tried it because it just seemed like it wouldn't work. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Those little critters are pretty disgusting.
There was an article in Heloise in the last week about the same problem. Seems a professional exterminator is the final answer. These "varmints" are very difficult to get rid of. Cleaning out storage boxes of clothing and closets is the labor intensive part of the process.
Bood luck!
Boric acid. That's the main ingredient in most bug powder-type pesticides. It's cheap and effective and any brand is as good as another (even though some sellers will tell you otherwise so that they can charge more!)
Interesting story: We still own our 'old' house (where we raised our kids, although it's more like a 'camp', now). There are a lot of silverfish there. I'd handwritten a recipe for killing them on a little piece of paper. It was on the floor 'down home', and the silverfish ATE it! I could just barely read the title and the rest of it was riddled with lacy holes! (They probably read it and decided to destroy the attack plan! LOL)
We somehow got the insulation in the attic infested with silverfish which then of course showed up in the rooms and bathrooms under it. We had to "bug-bomb" (cannister fogging)twice per year for a couple years in order to get rid of the infestation.
Using those foggers are dangerous. Each time we did it, we planned for a several-day preparation and cleaning spree with the house vacated ... Some might say we were ridiculously hyper-cautious, and others would say we were not cautious enough--we shouldn't use foggers at all.
Hi K.,
I HATE silverfish and have had problems with them in the past. My mom gave me this product that really helped me. At the time, I had a problem with them in my linen closets and bathrooms. My apartment was in a brownstone with a lot of wood inside of it. Well, once I placed this product on my shelves and such, I saw no more silverfish in those areas. In my new home however, I tend to see them on the ceilings, so we are still trying to figure out where to put them so that it would be effective. Here are two links to purchasing this product
1- http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detai...
2 - http://store.doyourownpestcontrol.com/cgi-bin/Pestcontrol...
It is called Dekko Silverfish Paks. It ranges from $8 to $9 a pack. Other than that, an exterminator would be most helpful. I recommend Bulwark if they are in your area. I have heard great things about them from close friends.
Hope this helps.
A.
Go to Do It Yourself Pest Depot on Oleander Drive on the left before you get to Greenville Loop light in a shopping center (going toward WB from College). This place has NEVER let me down and is TOTALLY worth the money. I have found stuff that gets rid of water bugs and when I had fleas, it totally cleared my yard and everything. Sounds like hard core chemicals, but I have never had any issues and I am a label reader. They will have what you need no question about it.
If it's in your budget get a pest control service out. We've had those things too and that's the only thing that worked for us. If you get on a maintenance plan they will come out on a regular basis & it's usually less expensive in the long run.
Silverfish
SIZE: 1/2 to 1 inch (12.7-25.4mm)
COLOR: Brown or silver-gray
DESCRIPTION: Silverfish are small, soft insects without wings. The abdomen has three filaments extending from it.Silverfish are not often seen by homeowners because they are nocturnal and can run very swiftly. Occasionally, they are found in bathtubs. They crawl in seeking food or moisture and can't climb out. These insects prefer vegetable matter with a high carbohydrate and protein content. However, indoors they will feed on almost anything. A partial list includes dried beef, flour, starch, paper, gum, glue, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, molds and breakfast cereals.
HABITAT: Silverfish normally live outdoors under rocks, bark and leaf mold, in the nests of birds and mammals, and in ant and termite nests. However, many are found in houses and are considered a pest, or at least a nuisance, by homeowners. Usually they are found trapped in a bathtub, sink, or washbasin.
LIFE CYCLE: Adults lay eggs in small groups containing a few to 50 eggs. The eggs are very small and deposited in cracks and crevices. A female normally lays less than 100 eggs during her lifespan of two to eight years. Under ideal conditions, the eggs hatch in two weeks, but may take up to two months to hatch.
The young nymphs are very much like the adults except for size. Several years are required before they are sexually mature, and they must mate after each molt if viable eggs are to be produced. Populations do not build up rapidly because of their slow development rate and the small number of eggs laid.
TYPE OF DAMAGE: A household pest, they feed on cereals and non-food items such as paste, paper, starch in clothes, rayon fabrics and dried meats.
CONTROL: Sanitation alone will not eliminate an infestation, although it may prevent new ones from starting. A large infestation usually means the house has been infested for some time.
Residual insecticides (use an aerosol) will help to control these pests. Removing old papers, boxes, books, and clothes from the attic to basement will help remove food and hiding places. Moth crystals placed in boxes in the attic will also help.
INTERESTING FACTS: They can go for up to one year without food.
I think Moth Balls may help
