How to get rid of silverfish

An infestation of silverfish can be quite a nuisance, but luckily in most cases they are not that hard to deal with. The most serious of silverfish infestations may require an exterminator but the vast majority of infestations can be dealt with using a number of items that can be purchased from your local hardware store. There are a number of options available to you that are each best suited for different situations.

Perimeter Sprays

Spraying around the perimeter of your home with an insecticide should always be the first step. This is likely where a vast majority of the silverfish bugs will enter your home. Make sure that you spray the insecticide in all of the cracks and crevices that a silverfish could slip into. Once you have sprayed the perimeter of your home they will not be able to enter the home for at least half a year, which is the average time most insecticides should last. There are many different kinds of insecticides available that will cure the problem. If you home is commonly infested with pests, you might want to look into a stronger insecticide to keep the bugs at bay for a longer period of time. Particularly look for cracks in the foundation that lead to moist, damp, and dimly lit areas of the home. This is where they are most likely to enter.

Pest Traps

Pest traps are most effective when they are placed close to food sources and areas of inhabitance in the home. They will not usually work when they are placed away from the food source, because silverfish bugs will not pass by already existing food to seek out your trap. First try to identify the moist areas of the home where the infestation is most likely. This can be easily done by recognizing the damage that is caused by silverfish and then identifying the places they are most likely to hide during the day when they are waiting for the sun to go down. Place the traps either as close to you can to the food source that they have been feeding at, or closest to where they hide during the day.

Insecticide Dust

Insecticide dust is a very viable option for dealing with silverfish infestations. Since they commonly hide in dimly lit damp areas, many insecticides are not able to reach their location. Sprays are never supposed to be used in the home, and sometimes traps are rendered ineffective by a large food supply. Dust can be sprinkled into the cracks and crevices where silverfish hide during the day, and will keep them at bay from those locations for at least six months. Of course, you do not want to waste dust in areas that will do you no good. Do not sprinkle dust on their food sources, because then they will just seek out another and your best option for beating the infestation is knowing where they are located.

If you use all of the options available to you and are still unable to deal with the infestation, it might be more serious than you originally thought. In this situation, it might be wise to call a professional who has more at his disposal to deal with the problem. Often exterminators will require you to leave your home while you deal with the problem and may even recommend that you allow them to bomb your home with various insecticides to ensure that the problem is dealt with. Infestations are a nuisance for any home owner, and once you have taken care of the problem, make sure that you do everything in your power to limit and prevent further infestations.

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