How To Get Rid Of Silverfish Bugs Naturally

There are many ways to get rid of silverfish bugs naturally using essential oils and homemade repellent sprays.

If your home is dark, cold, and damp, then chances are silverfish bugs aren’t far away. In other words, these are some of the ideal conditions which attract them.

We’ve come to the rescue to help homeowners fight back silverfish bug problems.

As you read on, you’d find ample information on just what you need to do. It doesn’t matter the severity of silverfish bug infestation.

Using any, or a combination of these insect control strategies should suffice.

What Does Silverfish Bug Eat?

To get rid of silverfish bugs, you’d need to understand their feeding habits. These insects are attracted to and will feed on anything starchy. This includes book bindings, clothing, cereals, cardboard boxes, glue, mold, and fungi among others.

This feature poses a problem to homeowners as maintenance costs skyrocket among other things.

Silverfish Bug Habitat

As mentioned earlier, these bugs have a preference for certain conditions. Such conditions include moderate to cold temperatures, as well as damp and dark areas.

Your kitchen, basement, laundry room, attic, and bathroom areas provide these ideal conditions. You may want to focus on such areas.

However, these nocturnal insects can also be found outside of these mentioned areas of your home.

Do Silverfish Bugs Transmit Diseases?

Are silverfish harmful? Well, it depends. Asides from the damage caused, silverfish bugs do not bite or cause diseases to humans. As such, you are not exposed to any real harm when facing an infestation problem. These bugs are only notorious for damage caused by their feeding activity.

Nevertheless, you’d need to get rid of these bugs due to the damage caused.

How to Get Rid of Silverfish Bugs in the House

The most reliable way to find lasting solutions to your pest problem is to face it head-on. There are multiple ways to achieve this as you will soon find out. There’s something for everyone, especially if you prefer a certain type of approach.

In other words, we have included natural methods as an effective strategy in silverfish bug control. Others include calling a pest professional and DIY methods you can choose from.

• Pest Technician

Silverfish bug exterminators and pest technicians are adequately equipped and experienced to take on difficult silverfish bug problems. This is also an ideal strategy for persons with little to no pest control experience.

Calling a pest technician also seems like the best option when you have little time on your hands to do so yourself.

You must have noticed an existing silverfish infestation problem or suspected one before contacting a technician. The process always starts with an inspection.

However, this only happens after you must have given a detailed complaint. An inspection helps determine how severe the problem is, but more importantly, it enables the pest technician to focus on the causes.

HOW TO GET RID OF SILVERFISH NATURALLY

• Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth works on a range of pests including silverfish bugs. Usually off-white, this substance works effectively in killing adult bugs as well as their eggs and larvae.

The best way to apply diatomaceous earth is by targeting areas these insect pests have been spotted.

Sprinkle around surface areas and leave for at least 24 hours. This time should be sufficient enough to get the job done. Try vacuuming such surfaces. This helps suck up dead bugs and their eggs as well as larvae.

• Borax and Oatmeal Powder

If you’re biased towards using natural remedies, then this may interest you. Borax and Oatmeal powder are the two basic ingredients you need. However, these aren’t the only things you require. You need some powdered sugar as well as salt.

All of these are combined to form a mixture which is applied accordingly.

A cup of borax flour and 2 cups of oatmeal powder and poured into a bowl. This is followed by 4 tablespoons of powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of salt. Mix the contents properly and sprinkle around infested areas. Silverfish bugs are exterminated within a short time.

This process can be repeated until there’s a marked improvement. One of the reasons for using some of these home remedies for silverfish is that they kill the bugs’ eggs and larvae.

• Reduce Humidity

Humidity is one of the favorable conditions that attract silverfish bugs. Getting rid of these bugs from your home means disrupting such conditions. This is done through the reduction of humidity.

How? By using a dehumidifier. This will work best in damp areas of the home such as basements.

While reducing humidity, try to find reasons why humidity is high. It may be due to leaking pipes. If so, trace the leakages and fix them immediately. Your gutters could also contribute to high humidity when blocked.

Clear all waterways and fix any cracks that may allow water seep through.

• Seal up All Foods

Dry foods are easy targets for silverfish bugs when left exposed. This can be tackled when such food is properly stored in containers with secure lids.

Remember we earlier said food supply is one of the basic requirements that enable these bugs to thrive. Well, get rid of it.

Securing your dried foods in tightly sealed containers will go a long way to get rid of these pests. The most common foods include flour, cereal, pasta, pet food, and sugar among others. This can be done while also fighting back with other measures listed here.

• Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has been proven to be effective in expelling silverfish bugs. Water and the oil itself is needed to make a strong mixture. This repellent is made by adding a teaspoonful of lavender oil to half a (small) spray bottle of water.

This concentrated mixture is mixed thoroughly and applied onto target surfaces.

Target areas may include your furniture, carpet and bathroom areas, etc. Spray generously and repeat as many times as necessary.

You should see a marked improvement within a few days of using essential oils to get rid of silverfish.

• Make a Newspaper Trap

Silverfish bugs are attracted to anything starchy. As such, consider making a bait with this using a newspaper. To start, remove four or more pages from the newspaper and roll into a cylinder. Next, hold in place using an elastic band, soak and keep in areas you’ve seen these bugs.

In the morning, these insect pests should be feasting on your trap. Take up the trap and toss in the fire. You can make as many of these traps as you wish. However, this method has its limitations. Silverfish bug larvae and eggs won’t be much affected.

Use this with other silverfish removal methods to get an even better result.

• Cedar Wood Shavings

Cedarwood shavings give out an aroma that some insects detest. This includes silverfish bugs.

You only need to get some of these wood chips and scatter around areas you’ve seen or suspected bug hideouts. It acts as a strong repellent and will drive them away in no time.

Target infested areas of your home with this natural approach. Plus, it is a non-toxic and cost-effective way to get the job done.

• Mothballs

Like cedarwood shavings, mothballs also give off a smell that keeps bugs at bay. Therefore you only need to take advantage of this by placing mothballs at strategic points within your home. Mothballs will always give you the result you seek.

Place these in position whenever you noticed an increased level of activity.

• Cinnamon

Cinnamon can be used in its different forms to get rid of silverfish bugs. That is cinnamon sticks or powder. So how does it work? Much like cedarwood shavings. These bugs hate the smell it gives off.

So, place whichever of the cinnamon variants you have around target (infested) areas.

Leave it to stay for as long as the problem remains. You shouldn’t have the problem for long as the smell keeps them away. If the problem persists, then consider using it in combination with other strategies listed here.

• Citrus Sprays

Citrus sprays are effective remedies to combat a stubborn silverfish infestation. Get a spray bottle and make your spray with your preferred citrus fruit.

While silverfish spray is an effective remedy in itself, cleaning solutions containing citrus additives will do little to give you the solutions you seek.

• Purchase Ready-Made Silverfish Traps

Silverfish bug traps can be made from newspapers as we mentioned earlier.

However, there are ready-made traps at stores you can purchase. These come with all the use instructions you need. They are easy to use and will get you the results you seek.

In addition to being effective, silverfish traps are a cost-effective solution to controlling these insect pests.

• Chemical Sprays Containing Liquid Pyrethrin

The best chemical sprays to use against silverfish bugs are those containing pyrethrin. These mostly contact sprays that will kill bugs in no time, but you need to exercise caution when using it around pets and kids.

Follow all use instructions to minimize hazards.

• Baking Soda Solution

Another cost-effective measure to tackle a bug problem is by making a baking soda solution. This powder should be mixed in a cup of water and some honey. When it forms a paste, apply at locations where silverfish bugs frequent. It should take care of the problem in no time.

Getting rid of silverfish bugs has been discussed with several methods provided. While all of these methods are effective, your preference may differ.

In other words, you may prefer some extermination options to others which is why we’ve included several of them.