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How to get rid of silverfish bugs?!!

avalovesartavalovesart member
in Eco-Friendly Family

Ugh, I'm so disgusted to have even found these in my home. I've always heard such horror stories of "once they get in, they're hard to get out" and such!

Is there a non-toxic effective way to eliminate silverfish bugs from my apartment? I first spotted a silverfish bug 3 weeks ago when pulling down some winter blankets stored in a shelf in the bedroom closet. I immediately read up what to do that is safe and non-toxic, because I have a new baby arriving in just a few weeks. I placed satchels of fresh rosemary in the closet and amongst our clothing. I also smeared eucalyptus oil on each shelf and in our dressers and on our bed. (These two scents are supposed to repel them.)

I hadn't seen any since then, but being that they are nocturnal, I don't know how/when I would? But this morning I found one crawling along the bathtub!! What do I do? Just keep using the remedies above? How do I know where they're coming from or if I've gotten rid of them? Any other remedies that you've found to be effective?

Thanks so much - the baby's due anytime now and I really don't want to use anything toxic, but I also don't want any silverfish infesting her home!

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Re: How to get rid of silverfish bugs?!!

  • SinafeySinafey member
    I'd use diatomaceous earth.  Sprinkle it along the edges of all the walls and anywhere you think they might get in.  
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  • avalovesartavalovesart member
    On the inside or outside of the apartment?
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  • SinafeySinafey member
    Inside.  I guess you could do it outside to try to act as a sort of barrier to prevent others from coming in but it's not sticky or anything so I imagine it'd just wash away with the first rain.
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  • avalovesartavalovesart member
    Are there any precautions or risks I should know about before putting diatomaceous earth in my home?
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  • MamasaurusMamasaurus member

    imageavalovesart:
    Are there any precautions or risks I should know about before putting diatomaceous earth in my home?

    If you have pets, you need to keep them away from it. It is very drying and will cause crazy irritation if it gets in their eyes. Of course also keep a LO away from it for the same reason.

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  • kdellokdello member
    I'd just leave them alone. They don't bite or hurt anything.
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  • avalovesartavalovesart member

    imagekdello:
    I'd just leave them alone. They don't bite or hurt anything.

    What do you mean they don't hurt anything? They destroy clothing and paper goods, and can also infest your food items if not sealed somehow. Plus they multiply at alarming rates.

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  • CDMay2006CDMay2006 member

    They are like moisture, so make sure there is proper ventilation and consider a dehumidifier.  I think they also like clutter (like stacks of paper), so limiting that would be helpful, too.

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  • avalovesartavalovesart member
    imageCDMay2006:

    They are like moisture, so make sure there is proper ventilation and consider a dehumidifier.  I think they also like clutter (like stacks of paper), so limiting that would be helpful, too.

    Yes, I think that's part of the problem. We're going to ask our landlords about buying us a dehumidifier because the apartment we're in gets a lot of moisture (we live one block from the ocean, so it's no surprise.) For now we have placed desiccant bags in various rooms to try to help.

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  • CDMay2006CDMay2006 member
    imageavalovesart:
    imageCDMay2006:
    They are like moisture, so make sure there is proper ventilation and consider a dehumidifier.  I think they also like clutter (like stacks of paper), so limiting that would be helpful, too.
    Yes, I think that's part of the problem. We're going to ask our landlords about buying us a dehumidifier because the apartment we're in gets a lot of moisture (we live one block from the ocean, so it's no surprise.) For now we have placed desiccant bags in various rooms to try to help.
    I hope it works!  I think they are really slow-growing and slow to multiply (as far as bugs go), so that's good... but man are they gross looking!  Good luck!
    Boy 10.6.13
    Labored at freestanding birth center using hypnobirthing techniques
    Delivered via csection
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  • lizzymo19lizzymo19 member
    I hate these and house centipedes! At least house centipedes kill other bugs, so I usually can let them live. Like others have said I would work to get rid of the moisture and avoid creating hiding places. When I see them (which thankfully is not often) they tend to be in our sinks or the basement. 
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