Silverfish are not fish — but they are the most skin-crawling insects after cockroaches. These pests are a nuisance, although they only destroy clothes, wallpaper, and books. To identify a silverfish, you’ll want to look for bugs that are small, silver, and have many legs and long antennae on both ends. These insects rely on carbohydrates for survival that are found in natural sugars and starches. Silverfish can easily infiltrate a garden. While they may not cause damage to your garden, an infestation can still become a pain to handle. If you have silverfish in your garden, follow the steps below to get rid of them.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a food-grade powdery substance that comprises ground-up fossilized diatoms with sharp edges that puncture an insect’s exoskeletons. Once the silverfish comes into contact with the Diatomaceous Earth, it destroys the silverfish’s exterior waxy coating, causing them to lose excessive moisture and die due to dehydration.
This is an excellent way to clear the bugs from your garden because you only need to sprinkle it on the base of your yard or any place that you have seen the silverfish. This method can also be used for any crawling insects such as bed bugs and ants.
Dehumidify
Silverfish live in damp and humid areas that will keep them moist. Using a dehumidifier enables the area to be less attractive to the silverfish. Although the process is expensive, dehumidifying is worth it. If you have any area that is prone to moisture and water collection, you have to deprive the place of water.
Set traps
Glue traps are used to determine how far the silverfish has spread. You can set the scotch tape around the garden or grass and put a piece of bread near the tape. You can also purchase smaller packets containing boric acid that are created to trap and poison the silverfish. You can hide the small traps inside as well, such as in your closet, on bookshelves, and in humid places. You should note that boric acid is toxic, so it should be kept away from pets and kids.
Apply a chemical containing liquid pyrethrin
This is a natural way of removing the silverfish off your lawn. It is a derivative of pyrethrum daisy that consists of nerve toxins that kill any insects on contact. However, although it is an organic component, the pyrethrin pesticides are very toxic to mammals, so you must be careful when using it at home. This chemical pesticide is biodegradable because it is created from pyrethrum seeds, hence less toxic than others.
Furthermore, it has an active ingredient that is found in many tick and flea pet collars. The pyrethrin powders and sprays are available in most garden centers. Alternatively, you can apply its synthetic equivalent, the permethrin that is more effective because it breaks down slowly when exposed to moisture and light.
Use baking soda
If you are experiencing an encounter with moths or silverfish, baking powder is another effective and cheap way of controlling them in your home. To apply the baking soda substance, you need one tablespoon of honey and a cup of water in a bowl mixed with baking soda. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to form a paste. Apply it in the small areas where the silverfish lurks. Therefore, once the silverfish consumes the mixture, it works to dehydrate them. This is the best method for hard to reach areas like bookshelves.
Silverfish are types of insects that thrive in high humidity areas. They move very fast, which makes them hard to find. These nocturnal members live on a diet that includes fabric, paper, and foods. Although they won’t bite you, these insects are a nuisance that can destroy your important belongings. You can use any of the methods that we have discussed to get rid of them.
