Silverfish have been known to take up residence in many homes throughout the United States. So, if you find one do not take it personally. They are considered a nuisance pest. They do not bite and are not likely to spread disease. Some people are allergic however to these pests, and even if you are lucky enough not to be allergic, you still may want the silverfish removed from your residence. In this article we will discuss the DIY silverfish trap.
Yes, there are products and services out there such as sticky traps, ultrasonic silverfish repellers, professional exterminators and silverfish poison that will do the trick as well. To see more of these type of products and services and for a list of recommendations, please check out another article found on PestGoodBye.com entitled A Few Strategies to Overcome a Silverfish Infestation.
What Are Silverfish?
First thing first, what are silverfish?
Well, Silverfish are known to be among the ancient insects in the world. These old insects are glossy grey or silver in color and can have varied sizes but a maximum of 1inch. In contrast with most other species, silverfish shed their skin during adulthood. They are speedy insects but do not have wings.
Silverfish, for the most part, live indoors and are found throughout the world. They tend inhabit damp areas of your home such as basements, attics, sinks and bathtubs. They move freely during the night, because this is their best time to roam around without being worried about humans.
If you spot one in your home, chances are there are countless others living in the walls of your home. A female silverfish has the capability to lay 100 eggs in her lifetime, and they tend to develop from an egg to a fully grown adult fairly quickly (roughly 3 months). For this reason, it does not take much time for a silverfish infestation to reach and uncomfortable level.
Aside from their rather creepy appearance, the main issue with a silverfish infestation is that they feed off of any material containing starch. For this reason, they can cause harm to your residence.
Even though they like to eat, Silverfish will go for extended periods without feeding. When they do decide to feed, they will typically chew holes in clothing, upholstery, the bindings of books, wallpaper, bathroom caulking and any kind of adhesive. Silverfish love eating cellulose, which is the starchy sugar used in paper goods and even some dead cells like dandruff. This is why many spot silverfish in gloomy rooms with lots of cellulose to feed from.
The quicker you are able to take control of a silverfish infestation, the more you can reduce the destruction done to your personal belongings and your residence in a whole.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish With a DIY Silverfish Trap?
Okay, so get on with it already, you are probably muttering underneath your breath, give me some ideas for an effective DYI silverfish trap. Well, here you go. The remainder of this article will highlight DIY ideas for the Silverfish trap. Hopefully, you will choose at least one DIY silverfish trap to implement in order to control their population in your residence.
DIY Silverfish Trap Number One – the Glass Jar Trap
This particular trap will last you a long time without having to be substituted. You can use this trap somewhere you have spotted silverfish prior for extended periods. Be very mindful, however, about the potential of mold on the lure (bread) as it must be substituted.
What you will need:
- Glass jar
- Tape (such as painters tape)
- Piece of bread
First, wrap the tape all around the glass jar in a way that it is fully covered. Use the bread and place it inside the jar as bait, making sure to place it on the bottom of the glass jar. Next place the jar in your targeted area. After some time, check your DIY silverfish trap and dispose of the trapped insects, making certain to also replace the bread. Repeat the process whenever you want. Silverfish will easily enter the jar due to the tape support but will be unable to come out due to the glassy surface inside the jar.
DIY Silverfish Trap Number Two – the Newspaper Silverfish Trap
Among all possible DIY silverfish traps, the newspaper silverfish trap is among the most popular. It is known to be quick and fairly effortless. Many believe that using this particular DIY silverfish trap will lead to maximum results.
What you will need:
- Old newspaper
- Rubber bands
- A chunk of bread
Here, simply roll the newspaper in a way that there is some space inside. Tie it down with a rubber band to maintain the roll. Next make breadcrumbs with the bread chunk and place them into the newspaper. Keep the newspaper at a place where you have noticed silverfish previously.
The silverfish would not miss the opportunity to eat the newspaper and bread, as it gives them lots of good calories. After a night, they might have eaten much and made their place into the paper trap. The trap actually provides them with much of what they need – a dark setting and food. Keep the trap around for a couple of days. Later, you can grab it and throw it away on a garbage day or destroy it securely.
DIY Silverfish Trap Number Three – the Baking Soda Silverfish Trap
Baking soda is actually a great bug eliminator, and you most likely have this in your home already. This method is inexpensive and effective.
What you will need:
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Honey
- Cardboard
Simply combine the baking soda, one tablespoon of honey and water into a bowl. Mix to form a paste. Next place the paste mixture on small pieces of cardboard and arrange them in areas where you have previously spotted silverfish.
The silverfish will consume the mixture and will dehydrate due to the baking soda aspect.
In Conclusion
Above are three popular DIY silverfish traps. Another extremely popular method is achieved by using Diatomaceous Earth. I did not include this method in above article because many do not have Diatomaceous Earth in stock in their homes already. However, it is also a very popular form of pest control used when dealing with silverfish.
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural, light powder that is composed of the fossilized remains of diatoms (a type of algae). It is used as common pesticide for many insects, including ants, bed bugs, cockroaches, dust mites, fleas and, of course, silverfish. When silverfish come in contact with the substance, it damages their external waxy coating and causes them to squander moisture and expire.
Simply scatter a small trail of Diatomaceous Earth along baseboards or where silverfish tend to creep around.
Hopefully, you will implement one or more of these rather simple but effective DIY silverfish traps.
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