Have you ever heard of a type of insect that is addicted to glue? It does not sniff glue but it eats up glue a lot. The insect also likes starchy food with high content of carbohydrate and protein. This type of insect also loves books. It is a “bookworm” of a different kind. It does not read books but can potentially destroy them.
How to Kill Silverfish
- Introducing silverfish which is a bug that lives in your bathroom, wardrobe, garage, attic and basement. It is about half an inch long with silvery or pearly-grey color.
- If you live in a humid condition of between 75% and 95%, chances are there will be silverfish that will share your domain. The insect is also known by other names such as fishmoth, carpet sharks or paramite.
- Whatever name you want to call this insect, one thing is for sure. It tends to go for real food like coffee and sugar. It also likes to feast on hair, dandruff, clothing and tapestry.
- Although silverfish may share a home with humans, this insect is more discreet. You only realize that it has been squatting in your home when your books and carpet are eaten up. They really enjoy being in a damp area.
- It has been reported that silverfish can live without food for a year. But famished silverfish will even settle for leather.
- Having silverfish to share your home is not a good idea. Silverfish is capable of contaminating food. It has never been reported that as culprit of the spread of a disease, still, food contamination is never good news.
- Sanitation is paramount to get rid of silverfish, according to a research written in 2004 for The Texas A&M University System. This includes the removal of old books, newspapers and magazines. Clothing made of cotton, linen and silk will have to check for infestation by silverfish. It is wise to keep your clothing in plastic bags.
- However, if you find some of your important books or papers that have been infested by silverfish, it is advisable for you to put them in a sealed plastic container and freeze it. Silverfish cannot withstand freezing temperature and will not survive.
- Do the same thing with your clothing if you suspect that the silverfish have been eating up your clothes.
- According to the research paper again, insecticide treatments should be targeted to harborage areas such as cracks and crevices, around baseboards, closets and attics.
- Large infestations will cause small holes to be drilled in the walls to treat the wall void.
- Of course, get professional pest control to help you when using insecticide. They would be able to do the job more thoroughly. All you have to do is maintain cleanliness and sanitation once you have get rid of the source of the pest.
- It is also a good idea to have dehumidifier in the damp areas of your home to prevent repeat visits by the unwanted pests.