Are you having problems with silverfish in your bed? If so, you’re not alone. Silverfish are small, nocturnal insects that get their name from their silvery-grey color and fish-like appearance. They are very fast runners and can be difficult to catch.
Silverfish are attracted to dark, damp places and are often found in basements, attics, and closets. They feed on a variety of materials, including paper, fabric, carpet, and even wallpaper paste.
While silverfish are not known to transmit diseases, they can damage household items by eating them or by leaving behind stains and holes.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to get rid of silverfish in bed. We’ll also provide some tips on preventing them from coming back. So read on to learn more.
The reasons why silverfish love your bed
Silverfish are frequently found in bedrooms, as they are attracted to the warm, humid environment that is created by humans. These small insects are typically gray or silver in color, and their long, slender bodies are covered in scales.
Silverfish prefer to feed on organic materials such as paper and fabrics, which can often be found in beds.
In addition, silverfish are attracted to the human body itself, as they feed on the skin cells that are shed during sleep. While silverfish are generally harmless to humans, they can cause damage to personal belongings.
Signs that your home is infested with silverfish
If you suspect you have a silverfish infestation, there are a few signs to look for:
- Silverfish are most active at night, so you may see them crawling around your home after dark.
- Silverfish prefer damp, dark environments, so you may find them in your bathroom, basement, or laundry room.
- Silverfish are known to eat paper products, so you may find holes or chewing marks on books, magazines, or photographs.
- Silverfish may also eat natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, so you may find holes or damage to clothing or other fabrics in your home.
- If you have a silverfish infestation, you may also find their shed skin around your home.
How to Make a Silverfish-Free Home: Simple Tips and Tricks:
What’s the worst that could happen? You might just find yourself with an infestation of pesky silverfish in your bedroom. But don’t worry, there are plenty of home remedies for getting rid of them – so no need to panic.
Natural Oils Can Help to Get Rid of Silverfish
Many essential oils can work as a natural repellent for silverfish. Oils like lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, and rosemary are known to be effective against these pests.
You can make your own silverfish spray by mixing any of these oils with water and spraying it around the affected areas. You can also try dabbing a cotton ball in any of these oils and placing it near silverfish entry points like cracks and crevices.
DIY Silverfish Traps
You can make your own traps to get rid of silverfish from your home. For this, you will need a jar, some tape, and some bait. Silverfish are attracted to starchy foods, so you can use anything from oatmeal to potato chips as bait.
First, clean the jar and remove the label. Then, make a small opening at the top of the jar using scissors or a knife. The opening should be large enough for silverfish to get in but not too big.
Next, cover the top of the jar with tape, making sure the opening is still accessible. Then, place the bait inside the jar and place it in an area where you have seen silverfish activity. Check the trap every few days and dispose of the silverfish caught.
Preventing Silverfish Infestations
The best way to get rid of silverfish is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Start by sealing any cracks and crevices around your home, both inside and out.
These pests can enter through the tiniest of openings, so make sure you check around doors, windows, and baseboards. Caulk and seal any gaps you find.
You should also make sure your home is well-ventilated to prevent moisture build-up. Silverfish thrive in humid environments, so opening a window or running a dehumidifier can help keep them away.
Be sure to fix any leaks right away and dry wet areas completely to prevent silverfish from moving in.
Regular Cleaning
Regular cleaning can also help get rid of silverfish. Be sure to vacuum and dust regularly, especially in areas where silverfish are commonly found, like basements and attics.
Washing your bedding and curtains regularly can also help, as silverfish are attracted to the dirty fabric.
D.E. Powder to the Rescue
If you’re looking for a natural way to get rid of silverfish, diatomaceous earth (D.E.) powder can be your savior. D.E. powder is made from the fossilized remains of algae and it’s deadly to small pests like silverfish.
The powder works by absorbing the oils and fluids from the silverfish’s body, causing it to dehydrate and die.
To use D.E. powder to get rid of silverfish, simply sprinkle it around the affected areas.
You can also make your own silverfish traps by placing a small amount of D.E. powder on a piece of cardboard or paper and setting it near where silverfish are active. Check the traps every few days and dispose of the silverfish caught.
How to get rid of silverfish in different areas
In your apartment
If you have a silverfish infestation in your apartment, the best course of action is to contact a professional pest management company.
A professional company will be able to work with you and your landlord to safely and effectively solve the problem.
In addition, a professional company will have access to products and methods that are not available to the general public, and they will be able to properly dispose of any silverfish that are killed.
Finally, a professional company will be able to offer advice on how to prevent silverfish infestations in the future.
In your bathroom
In your bathroom, silverfish love moisture and gravitate toward bathtubs and drains. The best option to get rid of silverfish in these areas is to dehydrate the area and get rid of their hiding places.
To do this, eliminate all clutter in the bathroom, including piled-up paper or towels, and give all the hidden corners of the room a good vacuum.
Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in the corners of the room and add a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the room. Doing all of this will help to get rid of silverfish in your bathroom.
In your bed
If you find one in your bed, it is important to take action immediately. Remove all bedding and wash it in hot water. If possible, dry it on the highest setting to kill any remaining silverfish.
Additionally, declutter your bedroom to remove any hiding places for silverfish. If the infestation is severe, contact a professional pest control service.
Outside your home or in windows
When you’re outside your home, make sure to apply insect repellent in spots where there are high traffic areas such as along windows and doors. Store-bought products can be ineffective so consider making this part of an annual routine for best results!
FAQs
What is the fastest way to get rid of silverfish?
If you’re looking for an effective way to get rid of silverfish, borax is a good option. Borax is a naturally occurring mineral that kills silverfish by dehydrating them.
For best results, purchase borax at your local home goods store, and spread a thin layer anywhere you’ve noticed silverfish.
It’s particularly appropriate for use on the back side of cabinets, along baseboards, in closets, and beneath appliances. With regular use, borax will help to keep your home silverfish-free.
Does one silverfish mean more?
A single female silverfish can lay up to 100 eggs in her lifetime, and it only takes three months for these eggs to hatch into adults.
If you see one silverfish, there is a good chance that there are many more hiding in your walls. While silverfish are not known to transmit disease, they can cause significant damage to books, clothing, and other household items.
Do silverfish live in mattresses?
Silverfish prefer places like bathrooms and closets but have been seen living among humans as well.
These pests may damage your bedding if you don’t get rid of them quickly enough though – so make sure to search for those pesky bugs before they cause more harm than good.
How do you spot a silverfish nest?
When you spot tiny black spots of their excrement, yellowish stains on your home’s surfaces, or if they are nesting outdoors in the bark or other wood-based materials such as rocks and construction paper then it is likely that silverfishes have taken up residence.
These pesky little creatures can even hide out inside homes – especially ones with old plumbing systems which provide an ideal environment because these types of species reproduce quickly without requiring much food at all (just enough so their young grow rapidly).
What time of year do silverfish come out?
In winter when it’s wet and humid, you can find silverfish everywhere! They love the controlled climate of a house with dark spots that are empty enough for them to thrive.
What do silverfish eggs look like?
Silverfish eggs are elliptically shaped and measure approximately 1 mm in length. After hatching, they’re white but eventually turn yellow as the larvae develop into adults that can be either silver or gray colored depending on their diet choice.
When young enough to eat both meat protein sources such as fish flesh with bones still attached (which provides more calcium).
Conclusion
Silverfish are a common pest in homes, and it’s important to get rid of them as soon as possible. We hope you found this article helpful in identifying the signs of silverfish infestation and how to get rid of them.
If you have any questions or need help with your own extermination process, please let us know in the comment section below. We would be happy to assist.
