The essentials at a glance:
- Silverfish are tiny, harmless primitive insects and can be eliminated with a few tricks
- Silverfish are harmless primitive insects and can be eliminated with a few tricks
- These little creatures can live for up to 5 years
- Simple household remedies can help get rid of them
They can be found in most households, but nobody likes them: silverfish. Who hasn’t experienced this? You are busy in the kitchen or bathroom when, out of nowhere, a silverfish scurries past you. Although many people find them disgusting, they are actually completely harmless. Silverfish are wingless and harmless primitive insects. But where does the name silverfish come from? The name is mainly due to their scaly, silvery-gray bodies, which appear that way because of light reflections.
These little creatures particularly like darkness, warmth, and moisture. They are often found wherever humidity is high, especially in the kitchen and bathroom. Silverfish mainly feed on sugary foods and can live for up to 5 years. However, silverfish do not simply come into our homes. They normally live in pipes and water lines, where they find the best living conditions (warmth and moisture). They only leave their habitat when they find enough damp, warm corners and sufficient food.
Simple measures can help
Silverfish do not pose a health risk to humans. Other creatures, such as dust mites, are more likely to have a problem with them. These primitive insects include them on their menu, among other things. Even though they pose no danger to us, we would still prefer to get rid of them right away. However, you should make sure that you do not merely drive the silverfish away, but actually remove them from the home completely. This is particularly important because these little creatures live in cracks and crevices around the home and can therefore always find a place to hide. Here, we would like to share what we consider the most important tips:
- Mix baking soda with sugar and place it near the silverfish
- You can use a preserving jar filled with oatmeal to bait the insects. It is important to attach a piece of string or paper around the outside, leading up to the opening of the jar. The silverfish can then get into the jar but cannot get out again.
- Another well-known option is a homemade sticky trap made from strips of parchment paper coated with honey. It is best to put these out at night.
If all measures are ineffective
If the advice mentioned above does not help against the silverfish, the only option may be to call in a professional pest controller who is thoroughly familiar with pest-control methods.
