They don’t bite or sting and are not known to carry diseases.
In some cases, the presence of silverfish can exacerbate sensitivity to other allergens in the home.
A few silverfish can maintain a good insect equilibrium in the home.
The Spruce / Mira Norian
They eat predatory arthropods, including spiders, and even eat their own dead.
So you shouldn’t necessarily kill silverfish if you see only one.
Silverfish are small, but their damage can be severe since they multiply quickly.
Brian Valentine/ Flickr /CC BY 2.0(used by permission)
Here’s how to get rid of silverfish.
What Are Silverfish?
Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are small, wingless, six-legged insects about 3/4 inch long.
Their solid silvery gray color looks metallic.
Their movements are somewhat fishlike, hence their other namefish moths.
Silverfishare sometimes called bristletails because of the three tail-like tendrils on their rear sections.
They enjoy certain paints and household glue, often chewing through the binding glue in older books.
Brian Valentine/ Flickr /CC BY 2.0(used by permission)
What Causes Silverfish In Homes?
You will have to systematicallyclean all the surfaces in your home, including clothing and bedding.
Warning
Keep young children and pets away from an area where you have used diatomaceous earth.
Trap Them in Glass
Glass containers can make for easy and effective silverfish traps.
Silverfish can’t climb on glass.
Silverfish will crawl into it and make a cozy home.
After a few days, discard the newspaper.
Use Boric Acid
Boric acid is applied like diatomaceous earth by sprinkling it around.
It’s a pesticide that kills silverfish instantly.
However, it can also be toxic to children and pets, so try the other methods first.
Hire an Exterminator
You might need to hire a professional if you have a severe infestation.
Exterminators are effective but will likely use chemical pesticides as removal methods.
Deter Them With Cedarwood
Try Bay Leaves
Silverfish dislike the smell of bay leaves.
It can be bad to discover silverfish in your house.
Earwigs, centipedes, and daddy long leg spiders will happily eat silverfish.
Silverfish are persistent and do not leave on their own unless the sources of food and moisture are resolved.
Biochemical and molecular biological aspects of silverfish allergens.
Bristletails (Silverfish and Firebrats).
Facts: Boric Acid.
