Pest Control » Silverfish

Why are silverfish considered as pests?

Silverfish can get into unopened food packages. They eat carbohydrates (starch, cellulose and sugar), glue in books, shampoos, soaps, silk, linen, and plants. They also eat mould, fungi, and dead insects.

Where can you usually find silverfish?

These insects are capable of living in most climates, but they prefer dark and moist places such as attics, basements, laundry rooms, garages, store rooms, kitchens and bathrooms. Silverfish can be commonly be found hiding under the sink or in bathtubs, bookcases, closets, doors, and window frames. They also hide in storage boxes full of clothes or papers.

If you have silverfish in your property, you may consult our team by sending us a message, chat, or by calling (02) 8007 4666.

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    General Information

    Silverfish (Latin name Lepisma saccharina) is an insect that can grow up to 12-20 mm in length. They have a teardrop shaped body. Its colour varies from white to brown-grey or bluish-silver. They look and move similar to fishes. Silverfish have two long antennas on top of their head and three long bristles on their rear.

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    Silverfish Sydney

    Silverfish

    How do silverfish reproduce?

    Female silverfish can lay from 2 up to 20 eggs per day, depending on the species. They can lay eggs during any period of the year. It usually takes 3 to 4 months for them to grow from larvae to adulthood.

    What are the signs of a silverfish infestation?

    People often notice silverfish on the floor or in the bathtub or kitchen sink. The damage caused by their feeding is the usual indicator of their presence. They may feed on food inside packages stored in the kitchen. Another sign that you have a silverfish infestation is when there are tiny faeces under the sink.

    Not sure if you have a silverfish infestation in your home? CALL OUR TEAM TO BOOK A BUILDING AND PEST INSPECTION NOW!

    Silverfish Pest Control

    There are two ways to get rid of silverfish. It's either chemical or natural silverfish pest control.

    Chemical pest control is more expensive and can be harmful. By choosing natural pest control, you will get a safer treatment that won't do any harm to you, your children and pets. There are a wide range of solutions and traps for this kind of insects that can be bought at stores or made at home.

    Natural Silverfish Pest Control

    The first step is to inspect every nook and cranny where there may be a silverfish infestation. Silverfish are typically found near their food source. The next step is to select the pest control product that you will need. There are many available solutions available over-the-counter such as the following:

    • Citrus sprays – Citrus is used to prevent and repel bugs. Most insects like silverfish don't like citrus smell. You can use citrus spray in areas that are infested by silverfish.
    • Spices – Silverfish don't like spices like bay leaves, whole cloves and sage because of their strong scent. Place these spices in a thin sachet in infested area.
    • Mothballs – Insects like silverfish can't stand moth balls. Good way is to place them where insects are seen often.
    • Diatomaceous earth - A white powder lethal for pests and causes dehydration to silverfish.
    • Lavender oil - Mix a teaspoon of lavender oil with water to repel silverfish.
    • Cucumber - Place thick slices of cucumber in infested areas.
    • Cedar - Place cedar shavings in infested areas to repel silverfish.

    Chemical Silverfish Pest Control

    • Liquid pyrethrin is the most commonly used chemical product for silverfish extermination. By spraying it on the cracks of furniture, doors and windows, you will be able to kill adult silverfish.
    • Boric acid is another solution for killing silverfish. It is a chemical powder that can be used in small amounts on infested areas.

    Note: If you choose to use chemical products to get rid of this pest, you have to know that you will pay much more by buying silverfish pest control products. You also have to be aware that using chemicals will not guarantee success.

     

    Silverfish

    Silverfish

    Baits And Traps for Silverfish

    There are many traps on the market that can be used for silverfish extermination and they can be cheap and safe to use. One of them is moist and rolled up newspapers. You tie them with elastics and leave them overnight to catch these bugs. Next day, they might be full of silverfish and you just throw it in the garbage outside the house. Repeat this method every night until you rid of them all.

    Take the glass jar and mask it with a tape. You can fill it with bread or with water, and few teaspoons of sugar. Place that jar near infested places. Silverfish will climb up the tape and will fall in the jar. They will die in the jar because they are not able to climb up the glass jar.

    Sticky traps are also effective and you can buy them in any local hardware store. These traps attract bugs which then get stuck in glue. For silverfish baits ,you can use moist cotton and starchy food items to attrack these pesky insects.

    Why should you stop a silverfish infestation?

    You should act fast when it comes to taking care of silverfish infestations. These insects reproduce very quickly and are harder to exterminate than most people believe. If you don't treat the infestation quickly, they will cause damage to your home and make it much expensive to get rid of them. Masters Pest Control Sydney can help you get rid of these insects using a combination of natural methods and safe chemical pest control treatments.