Kill Silverfish in Spain
Kill Silverfish in Spain – the warm weather has seen numbers increase this year. What are silverfish and what can you do about them?
Silverfish are small insects, between 12 and 19mm long. They are a silver bluish colour, and move in an almost fish like fashion. Silverfish are not dangerous to humans, but they are unpleasant and undesirable in the home.
Silverfish are breeding on the Costa Del Sol due to the warm climate and moist conditions at this time of year. They prefer dark places, and are most often seen at night in basements, attics, kitchens and bathrooms. They are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing. Silverfish feed on carbohydrates, particularly sugars and starches. Cellulose, shampoos, glue in books, linen, silk and dead insects may be food sources.
Silverfish breed quickly, one female can lay up to 20 eggs a day. By the time you spot, the infestation could already have taken hold. There are pest control companies here on the Costa del Sol who can visit your home and eliminate the problem, but there are also steps you can take yourself.
Figure out where they’re lurking. Because silverfish are nocturnal, you may not see them during the day. Rather, you’ll probably become aware of their presence because of what they leave behind. Look for damp, dark areas with small spots of excrement that look like black pepper. Small holes and yellowish stains on clothing, wallpaper, cereal boxes, and other cardboard or fabric materials also indicate they’re nearby. Finally, silverfish shed their skin, so you can look around for tiny skin casts in your bathroom, basement and other areas where you suspect they live
Set out homemade glass silverfish traps. Take a quart-sized mason jar or another glass container. Wrap the outside of the container with a piece of masking tape. Place a piece of bread at the bottom of the glass. Set the glass in an area where you suspect silverfish reside. Make sure to wrap tape all the way to the top. The silverfish will climb into the glass to eat the bread, but they’ll be unable to get back out, since the glass is too slippery.
Use the traps at night, when silverfish come out to feed.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in cabinets and other dark areas. This powdery substance is actually food-grade, and it’s used to kill anything that crawls. It’s made out of ground-up fossilized material, and the sharp edges of each individual grain of dust puncture insects’ exoskeletons and cause them to die without causing any harm to humans or pets.
Sprinkle the substance in your cabinets, along baseboards, and anywhere else you’d like before you go to bed. In the morning, vacuum up the powder (and along with it, the silverfish).
Wear a mask when you’re sprinkling the powder, since it can irritate your lungs.
Try boric acid. This is another natural substance that kills both silverfish and their eggs. Sprinkle it along baseboards, under the bathtub, and in other areas where you see silverfish signs. Be careful not to inhale boric acid when you apply it, since it’s toxic to the lungs. Avoid using it where your household pets might get into it, too.
Use spice sachets in your kitchen cabinets. Silverfish don’t like the smell of spices, so making up little sachets of cloves, cinnamon, and other strong-smelling spices and placing them in your kitchen cabinets is a great, safe way to keep them away from your food.
Use a citrus or lavender spray. Both of these scents are also effective in repelling silverfish, and they’re completely nontoxic to humans, of course. Get some lemon or lavender essential oil from a health food store. Dilute with water and shake the solution up in a spray bottle and spray liberally in all areas where you don’t want silverfish. These sprays are great for closets, drawers, and other bedroom areas.
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