Silver silverfish (sugar): a description of how to get rid of insects in an apartment forever

Background information on silverfish

What does a silverfish look like?

The striking distinctive features of the silverfish's appearance make it possible to immediately recognize it and not be confused with other insects. The body, wide at the base of the head and smoothly tapering towards the tail, is covered with shiny scales. The color of the scales can vary from almost transparent to bright silvery and even golden. There are very long whiskers on the head, commensurate with the length of the insect's entire body, which can reach 10-12mm. Behind, a very unusual tail is also very similar to a mustache, only in the amount of three, not two processes. Thin, long, but strong legs allow the silverfish to move very quickly in space. She does not have a clear division of the body into sections, therefore she has the flexibility of a worm, but at the same time she is endowed with the briskness and swiftness of a small fish. It is almost impossible to meet her during the day. However, you can understand that silverfish lives in the house by the characteristic shiny scales left on the floor or bookshelves. This insect often sheds not only during growth, but also in adulthood.

Reproduction of silverfish

Silverfish can be safely called a long-liver - under favorable conditions, it can live for five years - a long enough period for an insect. It can be assumed that the secret of such longevity lies in the measured and carefree life of the silverfish - she does not burden herself with either communication with the opposite sex or caring for offspring. Silverfish reproduce in a non-contact way! As such, mating in its classical version is not present in these insects. The male simply leaves the seed on various surfaces of the habitat, and the female finds it and independently uses it for its intended purpose. The silverfish cannot be called a mother of many children either - in her entire life she lays from 10 to 50 eggs. She has enough maternal instinct to carefully hide the eggs - the silverfish is not interested in their further fate. So the intensity of silverfish breeding does not depend on the “efforts” of each female, but on the temperature regime in the habitat. The warmth and dampness of the tropics is an ideal breeding ground. At a temperature of +37 degrees Celsius, one generation develops to sexual maturity in just 11 weeks. And at temperatures from +18 to +22 this process can take several months! In apartment buildings there is always a warm, damp and poorly ventilated bathroom - the very "tropics" where silverfish, even not bothering themselves with the process of childbearing, can reproduce very quickly due to the speed of maturation of the offspring of each subsequent generation.

Why are silverfish dangerous?

Compared to other insects, silverfish is a completely harmless creature. She does not bite, is not a carrier of diseases, does not threaten human life and health. The silvery scales that give it its name make it a very cute insect. And no one would have thought of wondering how to deal with silverfish, if not for one circumstance. Silverfish is a big sweet tooth - it even got the name sugar. However, she adores not only sugar, but also starch. She feels her favorite delicacy in all substances in the production of which starch is used, and this is a fairly wide range of household items - paper, cardboard, wallpaper glue, wallpaper themselves, polyurethane foam, various fillers and even plastic. So silverfish at home will always find something to profit from.They live mainly in food and industrial warehouses, from where they move with food and household items to the store, and then to the houses and apartments of buyers. If you notice this insect on your territory, do not hesitate, take action! If silverfish in an apartment breed strongly, they can cause serious damage to property - ruin books, paintings, wallpaper and other interior items.

How to get rid of silverfish

Silverfish is nocturnal and sleeps in dark and humid places during the day. If you set out to find a place for their "overnight", then silverfish are most likely to be found in the bathroom. What to do with this find? What you always do to resolve issues in which you yourself are not strong - call the specialists! This is the correct, fastest and shortest way to fix the problem. Everyone should mind their own business and not try to grasp the immensity. A doctor must treat people, a teacher must teach children, a lawyer must defend our rights, and an exterminator must destroy insects. Simply because he learned this and knows better than you what a silverfish is and how to get rid of this misfortune. Do not hesitate to ask for help - this is a natural exchange of services, knowledge, information in any society.

How dangerous is silverfish for humans

It's hard to believe, but the pest poses no danger to humans. He does not bite and does not tolerate dangerous infections. Therefore, some people do not wonder how to get rid of it as efficiently and quickly as possible. However, despite the fact that the silverfish seems to be quite harmless, it can cause significant damage to property. In addition, the sight of these individuals is rather unpleasant. Therefore, having seen such unpleasant neighbors, it is better not to let the situation take its course, but to take measures to destroy them.

In the kitchen, they can spoil food, leaving in cereals, flour and sugar the remnants of their vital activity - skin after molting and excrement. Such products are not only unpleasant and unhygienic, but also hazardous to health. The waste products of the pest in large quantities can cause allergies or poisoning.

The peculiarities of silverfish nutrition, namely the love of polysaccharides and starch-containing products, lead to the fact that interior items or wallpaper can become a source of food for small insects, as a result of which they leave traces of their stay in household items - holes in things, excrement, sometimes they lay eggs ...

Books, magazines, photographs, sometimes paintings are also attacked by silver women. Rare or collectible photographs, books or art may be damaged. Therefore, in archives or museums, where the level of humidity in the room is disturbed, silverfish are one of the most hated enemies.

Lingerie or things made of starched fabric can also attract unwanted guests, because there are so many tasty and satisfying food here.

Silver products are also brought up in warehouses - grocery, construction, industrial, but they will not be able to damage a large number of things in the warehouse, but such warehouses can become a source of contamination of houses and apartments.

Methods for the destruction of silverfish

Professional sanitization is an effective remedy for silverfish. The Dezbalt company has a whole range of modern insecticides and an impressive arsenal of special equipment, and therefore can offer its customers several methods for the destruction of silverfish, from local to total. Each of the methods has its own advantages and is chosen by the master for reasons of expediency, which is dictated by the place, size of the room and the number of insects in a given area.

Classic irrigation method - This is a local treatment of a room with the possibility of a narrowly targeted spraying of the drug. In this case, the insecticide is in a liquid state.The advantage of this method is that it is the most delicate treatment, allowing the technician to pause or redirect the spray at any time. The downside is that with such a narrowly targeted action, there may be places where insects, their eggs or nests can hide and survive.

Hot fog - one of the latest innovations in the field of pest control. Acts guaranteed and trouble-free in any cases and premises. The insecticide is in a gaseous state, and there are no obstacles for it - it easily penetrates into the smallest cracks and pores of walls, furniture and all interior items. There is no need to look for places where silverfish and their carefully hidden eggs are hiding - the fog will find them! This is an indisputable plus of this method. The downside is that absolutely all things in the room will be processed.

Complex method - To achieve the maximum result, a specialist often has to combine not only treatment methods, but also the drugs themselves. How many clients - so many special cases with their own nuances and subtleties.

Barrier protectionIs a local treatment of a room with a special gel around the perimeter of the room. This method is good not only as a way to deal with silverfish in the room itself, but also as an opportunity to prevent the penetration of all types of insects from other apartments. This is a big plus of this method.

Double dosage of the drug - used in especially difficult cases with a large number of silverfish. The advantage is the doubled impact on insects, as a result of which they die much faster.

Why do insects settle in the house?

The common silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is a wingless small insect belonging to the order of bristle-tails and the type of arthropods. Silverfish are believed to be one of the oldest living insects today. The length of the silverfish, flat and gradually tapering towards the end, does not exceed 0.8–1.9 cm.

The insect is active only at night, and during the day it hides in a variety of shelters.

Silverfish prefers humid and dark places due to their tropical origin. Silverfish diet is represented by plant foods rich in polysaccharides and starch, so they are very willing to eat sugar, flour and glue, book bindings, paper and photographs containing starchy tissues.

At home, if they enter a favorable environment for themselves, silverfish can exist and reproduce for a long time. Getting rid of these insects can be tricky. They like to settle in houses and apartments where people live. A suitable habitat is considered to be places with high humidity and food sources.

From which it follows that finding their village will not be easy. An insect can get into a living room in several ways, here are the main ones:

• Ventilation pipes are a way for many insects to enter the apartment, including silverfish.
• Cracks in walls and masonry, as well as insufficient sealing of window frames. The small size of silverfish allows them to penetrate the smallest holes.
• Paper, groceries, or items brought into the home. When bringing in an old box or thing, you may not notice the little guests.

Who are silverfish and why do they appear in our homes

silverfish is a frequent visitor to apartments and houses with high humidity levels

The insect itself is very mobile and is able to instantly disappear from sight, hiding in any crevice. Its size is no more than 3 mm to 1 cm, depending on age. And the color of the silverfish's body depends on its variety. Most often, residents of houses are faced with silver, sugar and common silverfish.

silverfish are of several types

Usually, these insects prefer to run exclusively on the floor, which is due to an attempt to get food.The main source of food for them is paper, fabrics, mold and mildew, typical for rooms with high levels of humidity, as well as starch, food debris, sweets, and glue, which can cause significant damage to your home.

silverfish can cause significant damage to your home library

Silverfish reproduce quickly enough. Every day, a sexually mature female lays from 2 to 20 eggs, of which young offspring will hatch after 25 days. The lifespan of these representatives of bristle-tails is three years. It is for this reason that it is advisable to take measures as early as possible to get rid of these insects that are suddenly found in your apartment.

silverfish in quarire

The favorite habitats of silverfish in houses are:

• Bathroom and toilet and laundry room,
• Home library,
• Kitchen,
• Pantry,
• Basement.

You can notice the appearance of these uninvited guests in your apartment by traces of damage to property, as well as by accidentally discovering their droppings, which can be on the table, dishes, and also in bulk food. Outwardly, it resembles grains of black pepper. This insect can lay its eggs anywhere, however, it is very difficult to notice them.

silverfish droppings look like black pepper

The best remedies for killing silverfish

We'll start with an overview of substances containing powerful active ingredients. Then we'll explore the quickest way to kill - sprays and liquids. And we'll end with an overview of the traps.

AquaFumigator Raptor

AquaFumigator Raptor is a highly effective device that helps to get rid of all types of insects, including silverfish. This type of device is recommended for use in residential and non-residential premises. A positive result in the destruction of insects is achieved through the production of a special enzyme. The fumigator, filled with a special solution, generates invisible steam that is absolutely harmless to humans, and deadly for all types of insects. The maximum effect from a working device is achieved in a few hours after its activation.

Price: 441 rub.

Spray Raptor from crawling insects

An innovative product that helps to destroy flies, cockroaches, ants, silverfish, and other types of insects, as well as their larvae. Using the Raptor spray will allow you to spray the active substance in all hard-to-reach places. Due to the appearance of vapors, the destruction of insects occurs in a few seconds after using the spray. The spray is absolutely safe for humans and animals, so this product can be used in residential areas. A positive effect in the destruction of insects is achieved after 1 time of using the active substance.

Price: 239 rub.

Silverfish aerosol INSECTA

We conclude with a couple of classic sticky whisker traps. It is best to use them as a complementary insect control - along with harsh chemicals and preventative measures. In addition, sticky traps are a great way to monitor the amount of pests left in your home.

Price: from 180 rubles.

Aerosol Mukhoyar

"Spray Mukhoyar" is an effective tool that allows you to destroy: flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, ants, silverfish, and various other insects. This device does not require special operating skills. The spray is easy to spray and penetrates into all hard-to-reach places in the room. The active substances in the bottle instantly penetrate into the places where insects accumulate, and effectively destroy them. The effect of using "Spray Mukhoyar" lasts for a long time. The main condition for using a spray is a continuous supply of fresh air into the room.

Price: 120 rubles.

Prevention of the appearance of insects

Silverfish are very mobile and are able to instantly disappear from sight, hiding in any gap

Problems directly related to household insects that appear in a city apartment are not spontaneous or accidental. Most often, insects choose rooms for their habitation, in which there is a comfortable microclimate for living or elementary sanitary and hygienic requirements are violated.

In the case of silverfish, the main factor provoking their appearance in an apartment is an increased level of air humidity, an abundance of damp and dark places. As a rule, the insect enters the dwelling through the ventilation system and quickly assimilates in the bathroom, toilet or kitchen.

The main reason for the appearance of the pest in the apartment is the humidity exceeding the norm (more than 75%), as well as the temperature (more than 23 C) - such conditions are optimal for the life of insects, silverfish in that strength. Intruders prefer dark and humid places, so they most often settle in the bathroom, kitchen, basement, pantry, as well as in the home library, since there is an abundance of food for the silverfish.

To get into the room, the silverfish uses ventilation, cracks near the door, cracks in the floor. Due to its small size, you can also bring the pest with you along with paper products, basement items and new purchases. Once in a new environment, silverfish immediately hides in the dampest and darkest places.

Since silverfish come out only at night, it is possible to notice that guests are in the house by some other factors. You may find damaged books, wallpaper, some types of clothing - these marks indicate that parasites live in your house. You can also find droppings from this insect. By itself, it represents small grains, similar to black pepper. Silverfish eggs can be laid in absolutely any place, however, it will be extremely problematic to notice them.

To prevent silverfish from settling in your apartment, you can take the following preventive actions.

• Try to avoid high levels of humidity in the room. Dry bathrooms and toilets as thoroughly as possible using electric heated towel rails and fans.
• Provide good ventilation in the apartment by regularly ventilating the premises, as well as using air conditioners.
• If possible, get rid of cracks in the walls.
• Carry out high-quality and regular cleaning of rooms, as well as bathrooms, using disinfectants that contain chlorine.
• Do not leave open food in the kitchen. It is advisable to use hermetically sealed containers for bulk materials.
• If you have clothes that are temporarily not used in socks, it is advisable to store them in vacuum plastic bags.
• When storing books, you should try to create as dry conditions as possible.

So that silverfish never appear in the house, you need to adhere to preventive measures:

• Thorough cleaning of rooms with alcohol and chlorine disinfectants.
• Flush ventilation hoods and grilles at least once a month. Put a grid on top.
• Ventilate and dry the premises. If necessary, turn on the heater in the bathroom after bathing to dry it.
• Make minor repairs to seal cracks and cracks.
• It is better to remove old wallpaper and paste over the walls again.
• To scare away silverfish, feel free to use essential oils or citrus zest. They do not tolerate strong odors. To do this, dilute the essential oil with water and spray in the air. Leave the zest in hard-to-reach corners. It is better to use the grated mass in warehouses or basements, where it will not be conspicuous.
• Spices like cinnamon, bay leaves, and sage can be put into pretty pouches and arranged on kitchen shelves or closets. Their scent acts as a defense against silverfish.
• Such measures will help to keep the house clean and protect it from other insects besides silverfish.

Are insects in the house? The easiest way to get rid of them

How to destroy silverfish: industrial control

It is a misconception that any types of universal insecticides in different forms act against silverfish. The effectiveness of most products has not been tested. Experts recommend using insect sprays (not weak plant-based solutions). These are pyrethrins and pyrethroids, which include permethrin or cypermethrin - aerosol TM "Clean House", spray Raid "Lavender", natural pyrethrum (aerosol 0.3%). They are used like this:

• spray the selected drug liberally in problem areas;
• close the room for the time specified in the instructions for the aerosol;
• ventilate the room for several hours;
• repeat this procedure once a week for a month until the silverfish disappear.

But aerosols are only effective in direct contact with the insect. Therefore, they are effective when the exact location of the accumulation of bugs in the room is known. In other cases, it is better to opt for insecticides in powder form. This can be explained simply: the diet of silverfish is dry matter, therefore, in search of food, insects will crawl to the bulk poison themselves.

Sticky insect traps, insecticidal gels for cockroaches or ants, fumigators, including an aquafumigator, which has a nerve effect, will help get rid of silverfish. But the effectiveness of the ultrasonic repeller has not been proven.

Best & Safe for Kids Based on User Reviews

Diatomite is a fine mountain meal made from fossilized phytoplankton (diatoms). This powder sticks to the surface of the insect and begins to absorb moisture, without which the silverfish cannot live.

Gel Raptor from cockroaches is also effective in the fight against silverfish. It is odorless and can be applied in crevices or on a piece of paper left on the floor.

Tarax - cockroach powder. It must be applied to the place where silverfish accumulate. If one silverfish tastes it, it will infect the rest, and they will die.

Traps Raptor, Raid. They need to be placed in shaded areas. Effective and safe for humans and animals.

Aerosols Raptor, Raid. Spray into the air from a distance of 20-30 cm in places where insects accumulate. Do not use laundry detergent

It is important to avoid contact with skin and not inhale its vapors. After spraying, leave the room for at least an hour and ventilate it well.

Among the products that will not harm children and pets are:

• sticky traps are absolutely harmless, only they must be placed in places inaccessible to children and taken out in a timely manner;
• diatomite;
• the anti-insect gel is safe if applied in those silverfish habitats that are inaccessible to pets and babies;
• children's fumigators.

Chemicals against silverfish

Modern insecticides are quite effective against various types of insects. Serebryanka is no exception. If you decide to use chemicals, then pests have invaded the whole house. There are many different types of drugs, differing in the method of administration, active ingredient, etc. However, not all drugs can be quite effective in the fight against silverfish. This is due to the fact that the necessary tests of such drugs are often not carried out.

Of all insecticides, dusts are the most effective. But it is worth watching the humidity in the room - dust crumpled from moisture does not attract silver particles. Dusts Chisty Dom, Ripan, Fenaksin are often bought.

Sprays and aerosols also have a strong effect. Among the funds that are used against silverfish, it is better to choose funds that contain pyretoids and pyretin. The most popular sprays are Combat Superspray, Dichlorvos, Clean House.

There are concentrates of chemicals that have proven to be excellent in pest control.These are Geth, Tetrix, Cucaracha, Lambda Zone, Delta Zone.

Less effective, but still used in everyday life, crayons and gels. The structure of the body allows the poison to penetrate inside, so such remedies can also help. Absolute, Klinbait, Fas, Raptor gels are used.

Sticky traps. Since silverfish reproduce slowly, this method can significantly reduce the pest population. They use the traps of Brownie, Global, Argus.

We get rid of silverfish using modern chemicals. All myths and truths from scientists

If you have made it to a large-scale invasion or are tired of constantly seeing silverfish at home, then it's time to take on a more effective weapon. Many people mistakenly believe that all universal insecticides in any form act against these insects. But this is an established myth and delusion! Californian scientists claim that hundreds of insecticides are labeled "silverfish", but their effectiveness in most cases has not even been tested.

Experts do not recommend using only sprays and aerosols against mustache. They can be effective, but only on contact kill. Since the diet of our heroes consists mainly of dry substances, experts advise to rely on dusts and bulk poisons. Moreover, they will also become practically useless if faced with moisture: silverfish show less interest in stuck together dust particles.

When can you still start sprays and aerosols? If you know a specific insect habitat and are ready to fill it with chemistry! Then pick up sprays containing pyrethrin and pyrethroids such as bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin, and phenothrin. They will even provide residual activity, experts are sure.

As for powders, experts note the ineffectiveness of the most popular boric acid against thermobiums. But the funds work great, with silica gel and pyrethrin, as well as diatomaceous earth in the composition.

At the University of Minnesota, permethrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin and cypermethrin are among the most deadly ingredients for silverfish.

All of these chemicals must be applied in accordance with strict rules described by entomologists:

1. Do not use dry insecticides where children and pets can reach them.
2. For each new product, you need to carefully study the label and method of application.
3. It is best to pour dust into cracks and crevices, rather than scattering it in an open space.
4. If you trust oil-based sprays, never use them near sources of fire or intense heat.
5. Re-processing is carried out after 2-3 weeks, if the insects have not yet disappeared from the house. In this case, you need to take a closer look: have you missed their possible habitats in the most secluded corners.

Interestingly, scientists have unanimously noted the low effectiveness of baits for silverfish. This, at least, applies to baits containing boric acid, hydramethylnone and indoxacarb - American scientists call them relatively ineffective. Therefore, the chance that such or other baits will attract an insect is extremely small. But, as the reviews of some insecticides show, it is still there.

Rating of the best silverfish remedies according to reviews of Internet users

According to many Internet users who are faced with the problem of silverfish appearing in the house, among a wide range of various means, the following are most effective:

Karbofos

For the most effective fight against the invasion of silverfish, you can use the drug "Karbofos", designed to protect against a large list of domestic pests. This long-lasting product can be combined with other types of insecticides and has a low cost. However, it has a very pungent odor. And with its long use, insects develop addiction to its components.In addition, this drug is highly toxic and is not recommended for indoor use with children and pets. The solution of "Karbofos" is applied to surfaces using a spray gun. After 2 days, wet cleaning must be carried out in the treated room.

Karbofos - a universal insect repellent

Raptor

Raptor gel is no less effective against silverfish, which should be applied along the cracks in the room. Or on a piece of cardboard that should be placed on the floor. However, it is advisable to use such a tool in homes where there are no small children and pets.

gel raptor

Destroy with liquid pyrethrin

Liquid pyrethrin will help to effectively get rid of silverfish, which should be sprayed over crevices and in places where insects accumulate. However, such a remedy should not be used in homes where there are children and pets, as well as in rooms with food.

liquid pyrethrin

How to etch with mothballs

In the habitats of silverfish, you can lay out sachets of mothballs. However, it should be remembered that this substance can be dangerous for people and animals, since its fumes are poisonous.

naphthalene in a bag

"Diatonite"

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the floor where silverfish appear. Due to the structure of this breed, which has many small and sharp edges that can pass through the body of insects, it will be possible to significantly reduce their number in rooms. It is advisable to apply "Diatonite" to the floor covering at night, using a mask. And in the morning, gently sweep it off with a broom, or collect it with a vacuum cleaner along with dead insects. This method is completely safe for people and pets.

Diatonite earth

Criterias of choice

Before starting the fight against domestic pests, you need to decide on the choice of a pest control method. Here the emphasis is on what kind of insect annoys in the apartment, what is its quantity and how long it has been parasitizing. It is necessary to determine the degree of safety of the insecticide, whether it has an unpleasant odor.

Human safety

All pesticides are divided into highly toxic, medium and weak. Before using aerosols, insecticide concentrates, you should read the instructions for using the product. The procedure for processing the premises is carried out by them when the household members leave the apartment. Boric acid, borax, plants with a strong odor for scaring away have greater safety, environmental friendliness. But care must be taken to ensure that children do not try these substances or bitter herbs.

Unpleasant odor

Many insect repellents have an unpleasant odor. It will make you dizzy if you stay in the house during processing. With aerosols, the smell disappears quickly. Gels are produced with a pleasant aroma or odorless. The plants smell strongly of wormwood, which is often used to scare off cockroaches and fleas.

Ease of use

Self-pest control in an apartment requires the use of such products that are convenient to apply to surfaces. No wonder they choose sprays in aerosol containers. Also, preference is given to ultrasonic devices, which are included in the network and that's it.

Performance

Store-bought pesticides act faster than folk remedies. Professionals use concentrated emulsions of poisons for a reason. So in one procedure you can get rid of unpleasant roommates. The sprays work for a short time. After spraying them, after 2-3 weeks, the parasites may reappear. The gels work for a long time, the effect will appear only after a month.