Fisheries Sector Environmental Protection Proposal to be Presented by the Commission
Keeping a silverfish-free home can be a challenge, especially during the fall and winter months when these wingless, light-averse creatures may seek refuge indoors. To effectively combat silverfish infestations, focus on moisture control, sealing entry points, removing food sources, maintaining cleanliness, and using natural repellents or traps.
Moisture Control
Silverfish thrive in damp, humid environments. Fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers in basements and bathrooms, improving ventilation, and running exhaust fans can significantly reduce their habitat. Seal cracks and gaps around walls, windows, doors, and pipes with caulk and weather stripping to prevent their entry.
Food Sources
Limiting food sources is also crucial. Store food (especially starches like flour, cereal, and pet food) in airtight containers, and regularly clean to remove crumbs, dust, and paper clutter such as magazines and cardboard, which silverfish feed on. Decluttering storage areas helps reduce hiding places.
Natural Repellents and Control
For natural repellents and control, consider the following options:
- Diatomaceous earth (food grade), when sprinkled in problem areas, damages silverfish exoskeletons and kills them.
- Cedar shavings or sachets act as natural repellents and can be placed in drawers or shelves.
- Homemade sticky traps using double-sided tape or cardboard trap and monitor populations.
- Baking soda mixed with sugar can be used as bait; the sugar attracts silverfish and baking soda kills them by dehydration.
- Fresh cucumber slices are also a natural repellent and help deodorize infested areas.
Long-term Strategies
Reducing indoor humidity below 50% and maintaining good ventilation are particularly effective long-term strategies. Persistent infestations or conditions indicating moisture problems (like leaks or clogged gutters) may require professional pest control services for full remediation.
Miscellaneous Tips
- Opening windows fully for several minutes can help in combating a silverfish invasion.
- Allowing bath mats to dry well can help prevent silverfish.
- Wiping down tiles after showering can help prevent silverfish.
- Letting wet towels dry in a well-ventilated room can help prevent mold and silverfish.
It is important to note that it is not possible to reduce the rent due to silverfish, according to T-Online, citing a ruling by the Lahnstein Local Court.
[1] PAN (2021) How to get rid of silverfish. [Online] Available at: https://www.pan-uk.org/advice/how-to-get-rid-of-silverfish [Accessed 20 March 2023]
[2] T-Online (2021) Silverfish: Rent reduction not possible. [Online] Available at: https://www.t-online.de/leben/artikel/Silberfloh-Mietersenkung-nicht-moglich,101667804.html [Accessed 20 March 2023]
[3] The Spruce Pets (2021) How to Get Rid of Silverfish. [Online] Available at: https://www.thesprucepets.com/how-to-get-rid-of-silverfish-1628762 [Accessed 20 March 2023]
[4] The Comfee Dehumidifier, ideal for large rooms up to 80 m2, can help maintain a dry, silverfish-free home.
[5] The Trotec Dehumidifier excels in medium-sized rooms up to 50 m2 and can help maintain a dry, silverfish-free home.
In environmental-science terms, maintaining a silverfish-free home involves reducing indoor humidity and addressing moisture control issues, such as fixing leaks, using dehumidifiers, improving ventilation, and sealing entry points. Furthermore, lifestyle adjustments like decluttering and regular cleaning can limit food sources for silverfish, thus preventing infestations. (Two sentences containing 'science', 'environmental-science', 'lifestyle', and 'home-and-garden') During the home-and-garden pursuit, employing certain appliances like The Comfee Dehumidifier for large rooms or The Trotec Dehumidifier for medium-sized spaces can assist in creating a habitat unsuitable for silverfish. (Two sentences containing 'home-and-garden' and 'dehumidifier')
