Most people attach great importance to maintaining order and cleanliness in their home interiors. Unfortunately, even in sterile apartments, unwanted occupants can appear. This includes both bedbugs, which you might inadvertently bring into your home, and seemingly harmless silverfish. Although they are not harmful to health, their presence can effectively spoil the comfort of using the bathroom. Fortunately, there are proven ways to regain control over this space once and for all.
What will you learn from this article?
In this article, we will explain how to recognize silverfish, where they most like to hide, and how to reclaim your bathroom. In addition, you will learn:
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Why these silvery insects so much love damp and dark places.
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Whether natural methods for silverfish really work.
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What to exterminate silverfish with and how to make traps for them yourself – step by step.
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Why cleaning, ventilation, and moisture control are your greatest allies.
Silverfish – a small but fast opponent
Silverfish is a small, silvery insect with an elongated body and long antennae. Its name comes from its characteristic movements resembling the way fish move. Although silverfish seem harmless, they can damage paper, documents, books, and even natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen. The basis of its diet is food scraps – sugar, flour, or cereal flakes. Interestingly, it can survive for up to a year without food, so the method of “starving” it will not work.
Do silverfish bite? Fortunately, no. They also do not transmit diseases, and they always flee at the sight of humans. You could say it's a hardly bothersome housemate, which does not mean you should tolerate its presence.
Why do silverfish appear in the bathroom?
Silverfish love warm, damp, and dark places, which is why they are so fond of bathrooms (including areas around the toilet and shower), but they can also be found in basements, pantries, kitchen cabinets, or attics. They avoid bright, well-lit rooms, so they often appear at night. You might have them in your home without even realizing it. If you want to check if you have a silverfish problem, go to the bathroom at night and after turning on the light, look at the gaps and crevices where unwanted insects might hide.
Where do silverfish come from?
We explained why bathroom silverfish like certain home spaces, but how do they get into homes? Most often with items, e.g. in packages or old books, or through ventilation grates and floor cracks. If you want to reduce the risk of their spreading, dry damp places and seal all nooks and crannies in the house.
Are there effective home methods for silverfish?
Yes, but getting rid of silverfish requires consistency. If you don't want to immediately resort to aggressive chemicals, there are many safe, natural methods that will effectively reduce the population of these insects in your bathroom and other rooms.
How to exterminate silverfish in the bathroom without using chemicals?
Start by controlling the humidity in the bathroom. If there is a window in the room, open it at least twice a day for proper air circulation. In bathrooms without windows, this is harder, so try not to close the door, and if necessary, use a dehumidifier. Consider installing a fan, which will reduce humidity and also protect against the formation of mould and mildew. Silica gels or special moisture absorbers help keep the environment dry in cabinets and corners. A major help in the fight against bathroom silverfish are also homemade sachets with gel from shoe boxes.
Fighting silverfish requires consistency
Regular bathroom cleaning makes it easier to deal with unwanted roommates, so keep picking up unnecessary packaging, wiping shelves and checking crevices. A clean space deprives silverfish of food and hiding places. Of course, this doesn't mean that bathroom silverfish only inhabit untidy bathrooms. You can maintain cleanliness but still not protect yourself from an insect invasion. Silverfish nest in tiny cracks and floor or wall fissures, so cleaning may prove insufficient. In such a case, apply silicone sealing that covers all nooks and crannies, like around the shower cabin or bath.
What do silverfish not like? Look into the kitchen!
Silverfish dislike strong smells and poorly react to certain fruits, herbs, and spices. A simple and eco-friendly way to deter insects is to wipe tiles with lemon water and place lavender balls in the corners of the room. Rosemary, tansy, cinnamon, cloves, or cucumber slices – all these effectively repel silverfish. You can use them in the kitchen, pantry, basement, or attic, while simultaneously protecting paper and documents.
Traps to help you get rid of silverfish
The simplest trap that will lure silverfish requires a jar, tape, and bait. Wrap the jar with tape, add sugar or a small piece of bread, and then place it where silverfish appear. The insects will enter but not get out. Once filled, they can be destroyed with boiling water or safely released far from home.
And what to eliminate silverfish that have settled in for good in the bathroom? A much more aggressive method is boric acid for silverfish. You can wipe surfaces or prepare a trap with sugar. If you plan to use boric acid, exercise great caution as the acid is toxic to humans and pets.
Should you worry about the presence of silverfish?
Silverfish are annoying but not dangerous housemates, so you don't need to take drastic measures to get rid of them. Of course, do not ignore the presence of insects, but proceed wisely. Before taking radical actions and using chemicals, use our tips and try to eliminate silverfish naturally.