- 1). Dispose of all unnecessary paper products in your home. These are not only a substantial silverfish food source, but provide excellent hiding places as well.
- 2). Enclose books or fabrics in plastic bags for storage. Seal the bags tightly. If you have discovered silverfish infestations on such items, freeze the sealed package for several days prior to storing. This will kill the insects.
- 3). Repair leaking pipes to eliminate excess moisture in your home. Consider adding a humidifier to your furnishings. Run air conditioners when possible, and use fans to help keep the environment well ventilated.
- 4). Fill plastic bottle caps halfway with boric acid. Place the little bait traps in out of the way areas where silverfish like to hang out. Cracks, crevices and openings in walls and moldings are good spots to bait, as well as around pipes and in dark, quiet spots throughout the home. Sprinkle some behind appliances and along baseboards, too. Silverfish will not only eat the boric acid, but take some back to the nest to share with others before they die.
- 5). Combine equal parts oatmeal, sugar and boric acid. Add enough warm water to form a thick paste. Put 1/2 tsp. of the bait in shallow containers and place the traps wherever you've noticed silverfish activity. They'll be attracted by the oatmeal and sugar, and die from consuming the boric acid.
- 6). Sprinkle some diatomaceous earth in areas frequented by silverfish. This natural non-toxic substance kills insect pests by dehydrating them.
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