Silverfish (and any other crawling-bug pests--cockroaches, earwigs,
ants, centipedes, etc.) can be safely, efficiently and
cost-effectively controlled with diatomaceous earth (available in
specialty garden stores). It looks and feels like talcum powder and
usually costs less than $10 for a 5 pound bag (a lifetime supply). It
is non-toxic to humans and pets since it scratches the outer casing or
breathing structure of insects and bugs, causing them to dehydrate. A
pest only has to walk through some of it and they are as good as dead!
As long as it remains dry, it is effective continuously, forever.
Just apply a thin line of diatomaceous earth along baseboard
cracks--or anywhere else pests appear, or dust a specific area. If you
know what your particular pest likes to eat, you can also make simple
"traps" with a dish of diatomaceous earth and some tasty bait placed
where you have the problem. One of the best methods of continuous pest
control is to dust the space between your walls or under cabinets.
Sprinkle WHOLE, not ground, cloves where you have silverfish.
Apparently, they do not like the scent and will leave you (and your
belongings) alone.
Boric acid is cheap & it lasts as long as it does not get damp. It is
a powder that can be poured into cracks, dusted under sinks, and blown
under the stove & refrigerator. You can buy it at most hardware
stores. Just buy a plastic picnic ketchup/mustard bottle with a
pointed top that closes. This works best for getting it into the
tight places that it needs to go. If the powder gets damp, just
reapply. It will take a few weeks for all of the bugs to die, but you
probably won't see them again. The powder sticks to their legs and
then they drag it back into their nests where it kills others as well.
Dryness is the key here, sources of moisture must be eliminated.
From http://www.doyourownpestcontrol.com :
RECOMMENDED MEASURES FOR SILVERFISH CONTROL:
Sources of any undue moisture, such as faulty plumbing or condensation
that provide the humidity favored by these pests should be eliminated.
Dehumidifying reduces the moisture content of the air that these
insects find essential. Some methods for dehumidifying include:
Mend leaking pipes.
Ventilate closed rooms and attics.
Eliminate standing water.
Use a dehumidifier an air conditioner.
Use silica gel which acts like a desiccant such as DRIONE DUST.
Regularly vacuuming cracks and crevices with a narrow vacuum tip also
can be a good method to physically remove these insects from their
harborages.
Removal of food sources , stored in tight containers.
If you have a slight problem of silverfish inside your home, a good
residual perimeter treatment of:
DEMON WP insecticide or TALSTAR ONE insecticide
Talstar One insecticide, sprayed around entry points and foundation of
the house would be sufficient.
Spray along the foundational wall, with a two or three foot band.
Demon WP or Talsta One:
DEMON WP and Talstar One last for two to three months.
Both products are odorless. The wettable powder (WP) formulation in
the Demon WP will leave a slight film that can be seen against dark
surfaces. The Talstar One does not leave a film.
However if you have a more severe problem with silverfish , look into
stored boxes and the insulation in your attic. It is best to dust or
bait these areas for greater control.
When you use baits or dusts, you do want to get it as close as
possible to their habitats to be effective.
You never want to bait and dust in areas that are visible.
Dust needs to be in hidden areas such as :
Attics-Insulation
Behind Refrigerators and Ovens
Boxes
Light fixtures
Electrical outlets
Under siding .
A recommended dust for silverfish control would be DRIONE DUST. It is
a dessicant dust that last for 6 months.
It dries up insects has they pass through it. Apply it in the attic in
the insulation area in particular, under siding, in storage
boxes,light fixtures, electrical outlets.
Apply it to areas that can be kept dry. An easy way to apply DRIONE
DUST, if broadcasting in the insulation area would be the use of a
duster
called the DUSTIN MIZER,cranking out a large amount of dust at a time.
You will want one lb. of dust per 800-1000 sq. ft.
For smaller dust jobs the BULB DUSTER or BELLOWS 8 OZ. DUSTER would work fine.
Another very effective way is the use of baits in the attic or on the
outside for silverfish control.
. NIBAN OR INTICE GRANULAR BAITS works very well
against silverfish as well as roaches and crickets.
It can be sprinkled out in a self contained one lb. bag, in all the
areas you believe they are hiding.
SILVERFISH PAKS are designed to go inside. These Paks destroy these
year-round pests that eat wool, paper, linen and cellulose materials.
Place odorless, wafer-thin packets under rugs, behind curtains, in
closets and dark hidden places . Place away from children and pets.
Niban/Intice and Silverfish Paks both are designed to attrack the
silverfish as they eat, functioning as baits. If you do not know the
exact location of the habitat of the silverfish and cannot treat it
directly, baits are ideal for silverfish control.
You can also you a residual aerosol like AIR DEVIL with a crack and
crevice tip, enabling you to get behind baseboards and corners of
traveling paths of the silverfish. This type of aerosol is very
helpful in bathrooms where silverfish like to eat the back of
wallpaper. |
