Sasha CampbellYou’ve probably seen them before. Silverfish are pests you’ll find in many homes and libraries worldwide [1].
While they generally do not cause harm to people, silverfish are not the kind of pest you’d want to ignore. They are attracted to moisture and can damage books, clothing, wallpaper, and other belongings.
Many people are unsure of how to get rid of them. But fret not; we’re here to help. This article will share some of our tips for naturally keeping silverfish away.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish Naturally
Below are some home remedies and natural solutions that you can try.
1. DIY Silverfish Trap
You can make your DIY silverfish trap with just a few simple items. You’ll need a glass jar, some starchy food, and tape.
In a glass jar, place some starchy foods, such as flour, dried cereals, or pet food.
Next, wrap the outside of the jar with tape. This will allow them to climb into the jar. However, they won’t be able to get out because their feet won’t stick to the glass.
2. Moist Rolled-Up Newspaper
Dampen an old newspaper and roll it up. Silverfish will find their way into the wet, rolled-up newspaper and make it their home.
Now check it after a few days. To exterminate any silverfish that have found their way in, place the newspaper in an airtight container and discard everything.
3. Sticky Traps
Using sticky traps is an old-fashioned way of eliminating many insect pests. All you need to do is set up sticky traps around where you think the silverfish are hiding.
Using petroleum jelly on cardboard or an index card, you can also make a homemade sticky trap. Next, place it where they might crawl.
Silverfish will run across the traps and get stuck on them.
4. Eliminate Food Sources
If you want to prevent these critters from coming around, one of the best things you can do is to starve them.
Since silverfish love munching on starchy foods and dried goods, storing away cereals and flour is essential.
They also like to eat glue, fabrics, pet food, and wallpaper, so store them away and declutter as much as possible.
5. Eliminate Humidity
Humidity creates the perfect environment for silverfish to thrive and lay their eggs. That’s why controlling moisture and humidity levels in your home should be a priority if you want to get rid of these pests.
Start by ensuring your home is properly ventilated. Open windows and doors regularly to allow airflow.
You could also invest in a dehumidifier to help remove excess moisture from the air. This is especially needed for high-humidity areas like kitchens, basements, or bathrooms.
If you have an attic, check for any leaks or water damage and fix them immediately. Check all pipes, hoses, and other sources of moisture, and ensure they are properly sealed.
Finally, reduce clutter in your home, as it can often trap moisture, providing a perfect breeding ground for silverfish.
6. Seal Cracks
Another crucial step in getting rid of silverfish is to seal your home so they cannot get in.
That means checking for cracks or gaps around windows and doors, and if you find any, caulking or using sealants to fill them.
You can also install door sweeps at the base of every exterior door and use weatherstripping around windows.
It’s also vital to check places like basements, attics, and crawl spaces, as these are likely entry points for these critters.
7. Cucumber Peels
Cucumber peels are also a natural remedy for silverfish.
Simply place a few cucumber peels in areas where silverfish often appear. These include the corners of rooms and near plumbing fixtures.
The scent of the cucumber will repel the silverfish, and they will remove themselves from your quarters.
8. Cedarwood Oil
Cedarwood essential oil repels silverfish. It’s effective and non-toxic, making it a safe choice to use around your family and pets.
To use cedarwood oil for silverfish, make a spray by mixing 10 drops in 4 ounces of water. Typically, you’ll want to mist the areas where the pests may hide.
You can also soak cotton balls in cedar oil near potential hiding spots.
Remember that cedar oil is a repellent, not an exterminator. Therefore, it won’t kill silverfish but will help keep them away.
Try setting up multiple cedar oil traps around your home and replacing them every few weeks for the best results.
9. Cloves
Cloves contain a component called eugenol, which deters silverfish.
To use this remedy, place whole cloves where pests are found. This should help repel them.
10. Salt
Spread a thin layer of salt over the areas where you’ve seen silverfish or where they are likely to hang out.
Salt attracts these insects, but they will become dehydrated and eventually die if they eat it. Salt can also absorb water and humidity from its surroundings.
11. Borax
Borax is an effective silverfish killer. All you have to do is sprinkle some in the areas where silverfish activity has been noticed.
The borax will attract the pests, and they’ll crawl through it. They will be poisoned after ingesting the substance while attempting to clean their legs.
For consistent use, dissolve a small amount of borax in a cup of warm water, then spray it around the affected area. It will get the job done when it dries.
In addition to eliminating silverfish, borax can kill other household pests, such as cockroaches and ants.
12. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is another natural silverfish repellent. Silverfish don’t like the smell of cinnamon, so you can use it to drive them away.
To use cinnamon as a repellent, sprinkle the powder in any area of the house where silverfish may be present. You can also place some cinnamon sticks in the affected areas.
13. Eliminate Clutter in Home
Silverfish will feed on paper, cardboard, book bindings, and glue. To prevent these critters from lingering in your home, reduce clutter.
Keep bookshelves tidy and organized, and ensure the books are tightly closed.
You should also look for other materials, such as cereal boxes, old clothes, and newspapers, that may have collected dust over the years. These items should be thrown away to prevent them from providing additional hiding spots for silverfish.
14. Citrus Peel
Citrus peels are an excellent natural repellent for these creepy crawlies, as they dislike the smell.
Just place some orange or lemon peels in areas you think silverfish are likely to visit, like drawers, bookshelves, and other storage areas. Replace the peels regularly.
15. Remove Clutter from Around the Outside of the House
Silverfish thrive in dark, damp places during the day. This means that any clutter or debris around the outside of your house is a perfect habitat for these pests.
So take action and clean up any mess, such as leaves and twigs. Doing so will help keep silverfish out and make your house look better!
16. Seal Dry Food in Airtight Containers
Limiting their access to food is another effective way to keep silverfish at bay.
The critters love to munch on dry goods like cereal, pasta, and rolled oats, and they will take advantage of any small openings to reach them.
So, keeping dry food sealed away will eliminate most silverfish food sources.
17. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Sprinkle the DE powder at entry points, such as cracks, crevices, and other areas where silverfish are active.
The powder destroys the pests’ outer coating, causing them to dry out and die. In addition, you can also use it as a barrier around areas where you might find silverfish crawling around.
18. Natural Predators
Silverfish also have several natural predators. These include spiders, centipedes, and even earwigs.
Allowing these predators to remain in your home can help keep silverfish numbers down if you have a silverfish infestation.
19. Vinegar
Like many other insects, silverfish cannot tolerate the smell of vinegar, so spraying it around your house will keep them away. Be sure to spray in all the corners and cracks where they like to hide.
20. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a versatile, effective bug killer. It is also one of the most cost-effective ways to control silverfish.
You can kill silverfish with baking soda by adding enough water and a little honey to a bowl. Combine all the ingredients to make a smooth paste.
Place the paste on several pieces of cardboard. After the silverfish eat the mixture, they will become dehydrated and die.
This remedy works well in hard-to-reach places, such as bookshelves. Baking soda also works as a poison for other insects, such as ants.
21. Essential Oils
This is another effective way to repel silverfish. To make a silverfish-repellent spray, use essential oils such as cinnamon, peppermint, lavender, clove, or citronella.
Mix 15 to 20 drops of your chosen oil into a cup of water. Spray this homemade silverfish spray in the potential hiding spots.
You can also spray it in areas where those silver bugs (as some people call them) might be entering your home. The smell will deter them.
22. Wash Clothes in Hot Water
Washing and drying clothes at high temperatures can kill silverfish and silverfish eggs. Just ensure it is safe to wash the material type in hot water.
Takeaway
If you have a silverfish problem, it’s essential to identify where they’re coming from so you can seal off their entry points.
Plenty of natural solutions exist to eliminate them if they are already present. Try a few of these methods and see which ones work best.
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