Home remedies to get rid of Silverfish

Lepisma Sacchatinum or more commonly known as Silverfish is a species of small, primitive, wingless insect. It derives its name from the silvery light grey color combined with its movement which is very much fish-like. They enter our home through foundation cracks, gaps around doors, leaks, or cracks. Warm and moist places like the kitchen, bathrooms, and attics attract silverfish.

These creatures feed primarily on starchy materials and items that are rich in protein. They are more active at night and can cause damage to books, stored foods, upholstery, and expensive clothing. They love to eat the glue that holds the wallpaper to walls, or the glue that binds your cherished book together. They are equally attracted to the starch and adhesives found in your clothing or the carbohydrate-rich food in your kitchen.

Silverfish do not bite humans/insects, nor do they carry any disease, yet they can spread germs and can cause allergies. Hence, one should take care before they spread around in the home causing any major damage.

One can prevent silverfish from entering by:

• • Sealing the gaps/cracks that appear in the basements, outer walls, ceilings, windows, trim openings, and baseboards around the house.
  • Avoiding piling paper products/cartoons in the house.
  • Keeping food in airtight containers.
  • Cleaning the carpets, upholstery, and flooring regularly.
  • Eliminating the damp areas in and around the home.

Some home remedies to get rid of Silverfish:

• • Silverfish hates the smell of Cucumber. You can place the peels of cucumber around the infested area to get rid of them.
  • The Citrus smell is equally unpleasant for Silverfish. You can either put Lemon peels/Orange peels near the area where you have spotted them or make a solution of water and lemon juice and spray it around that area.
  • Cinnamon/Cloves/Bay leaves can work wonders in getting rid of these creatures. Simply leave these strong-smelling ingredients around the area where they enter from. You can also place cloves in the cupboard where you keep expensive clothes to prevent any damage.
  • Boric Acid is another commonly available chemical compound that can kill Silverfish. Simply sprinkle the boric acid powder around the place from where these creatures are infesting. However, if there are kids/pets at home, one needs to be cautious while using it as it can be dangerous.
  • Cedar oil/Cedar shavings are another great option to get rid of these creatures. Though cedar has a lovely fragrance, silverfish repels the smell. If you can’t find cedar shavings, you can prepare a solution by mixing cedar oil with water and spray it. This will not only make your house smell amazing, but also help you in getting rid of them.
  • Placing Naphthalene balls in your closets, restroom, damp areas in the house, attics, books, cupboard, etc. is extremely effective. The pungent smell of these balls is intolerable for these insects.