What are silverfish and where are they found?
Silverfish are small silvery insects without wings that move in a meandering motion. They feel particularly at home in a dark and damp environment, such as the bathroom. They prefer to hide in crevices, cracks, behind joints or in drains and come out when it gets dark, as they are shy of light. Silverfish feed on flakes of skin, mold, glue residue, sugar, wood, hair or house dust mites, for example. We'll tell you how to combat these annoying pests with simple household remedies!
When do silverfish appear?
Silverfish like a temperature between 25 and 30 degrees. That's why we are most likely to encounter them either in the warm summer or in winter when the home is heated.
Why are silverfish called silverfish?
Lepisma saccharina is actually their real name. However, because silverfish have scales that are similar in shape and color to those of a fish, and because they move with agility, they have been given this nickname. Incidentally, "Saccharina" indicates the silverfish's preference for eating sugar.
Lavender against silverfish
If there's one scent that the insects don't like at all, it's lavender! Take advantage of this and put out small lavender sachets. A few drops of lavender oil in the mop water are also helpful in scaring away silverfish.
Tip: Vinegar also has a very similar effect to lavender on silverfish. They quickly flee when they smell it! Add vinegar cleaner to the mop water and wipe the whole house with it to prevent the silverfish from simply nesting somewhere else!
Silverfish deterrent: lemon juice
Lemon juice has the same effect as lavender on the insects. Mix a few drops of lemon juice with water in a spray bottle and apply to the areas affected by the silverfish. Or wipe the floor with the above mixture. The insects will then quickly leave!
Get rid of silverfish with honey
The pests love everything that is sweet. You can lure them into the trap with the help of honey. Simply put some honey on a piece of paper and leave it in the affected area of the house overnight. The silverfish will be attracted by the smell and stick to the paper. You can then take this outside the next morning along with the animals.
Make a potato trap
The silvery pests love starchy foods. You can take advantage of this by making a trap out of a potato. Cut a large potato into two halves and hollow them out a little. Carefully carve an entrance into the edge with a knife and place the potato halves with the cut side on a piece of foil. The silverfish will scurry into the trap to eat and you can simply carry them out together with the foil.
How to prevent silverfish in the home:
- Ventilate regularly. The insects love rooms with high humidity. Airing out the room several times a day helps to create a drier indoor climate.
- Do not dry laundry in rooms where it is difficult or impossible to ventilate.
- It is best to seal leaking joints, cracks or gaps in tiles so that silverfish have nowhere to hide.
- Regular dusting and vacuuming is important, as silverfish feed on dander and hair. They find less to eat in a clean home.