Silverfish are known to occasionally invade homes. When they arrive in large numbers, they can cause damage to household items. These pests feed on a variety of things including crumbs, stored food items, books, and clothes. Reducing the things that attract silverfish can help to prevent an infestation. Check out a few tips to help keep silverfish out of your home.
Seal Entry Points
Silverfish can easily slip into cracks and holes. Examine your home for cracks and gaps where silverfish could enter. Pay attention to openings near doors and cracks in the foundation. Seal any you find using caulk. If your window or door screens have tears, you’ll need to repair or replace them. Make sure weather-stripping is in good condition.
Remove Sources of Food
These pests feed on carbohydrates, especially starches and sugars. Keep your pantry items stored in airtight containers to avoid attracting silverfish. Sweep up crumbs and wipe up any spills. Make sure you don’t leave behind a sticky residue. Dirty dishes can also attract silverfish, so don’t leave them in the sink overnight. Take time to dust your home since silverfish can consume dust particles.
Reduce Moisture
Silverfish thrive in warm, moist environments including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, attics, and garages. Check for leaking pipes or faucets and repair them. Make sure water isn’t seeping in through any cracks. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce moisture build-up. It can be hard to avoid moisture in bathrooms, but using a bathroom fan can help.
Eliminate Clutter
Silverfish like to have places to hide where they won’t be disturbed. Clutter provides them with these places. Don’t leave stacks of paper or magazines lying around. If possible, avoid keeping attractants, like books, in areas where silverfish gather. If you’re storing items in cardboard boxes, switch to plastic bins with tight-fitting lids. Silverfish can eat through cardboard. You’ll also want to avoid having piles of dirty clothes.
Keep Your Yard Clean
These pests don’t just invade homes; they can also infest yards. Silverfish look for dark, sheltered, and wet hiding spots. Remove yard debris, especially damp items like leaves. Check for areas in your home where water can collect. Keep your gutters clean, and fix any leaky faucets. If possible, remove items that can collect water like unused flowerpots and toys. Keep your lawn, trees, and shrubs trimmed.
Create a Protective Barrier
Spraying your yard with a plant-based insecticide spray can help to prevent silverfish. Our Yard Bug Spray kills silverfish on contact and provides you with residual repellency. You can treat the perimeter of your yard or near the foundation of your home to deter silverfish. You can also spray common entry points and the perimeter of your house with our Home Bug Spray. The residual repellency will create a protective barrier.
Use Baits & Dusts
If silverfish have made their way into your home, baits can help get rid of them. Our Roach Killer Gel Bait doesn’t just take care of roaches; it also controls silverfish. It’s designed to attract and kill silverfish. Place the bait in areas you’ve seen silverfish. You can also use our Spider & Insect Dust. Apply dust in rooms with silverfish, making sure to hit cracks and crevices. When undisturbed, it will remain effective for up to ten years for long-lasting protection.
When silverfish can’t find food, moisture, and shelter, they’ll be more likely to leave your home. That’s why taking the time to pest-proof your house is important to keep silverfish away. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we have your back! Check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products for a more environmentally and family-friendly solution.