Alert, you constantly meet silver fish at home and fear an invasion. But should we really be wary of it? We take stock and we tell you how to get rid of it once and for all.
He is one of the oldest insects in the world, as proof, It already existed at the time of dinosaurs ! Resistant and cunning, he can survive without food for several months, which makes his eradication sometimes tough. His name should make us dream, but it is not: the money fish makes us rather live a real domestic nightmare! This Small insect without wings of about 1 cm long, also called lepismis easily recognized thanks to his fairly flat body, covered with scales with silver reflections and surmounted by a header than the tail, decorated with two antennas. If silver fish is safe for humans, it is never pleasant to find it at home, especially when you know that this rather nocturnal insect feasts on paper and other cardboard : You do not want to exhibit your favorite books and your important documents to this voracious! In some cases, He can even tackle clothes and fabrics. It’s time to act!
Why do I have money fish at home?
And why did he find refuge at home? Certainly because the Hot and humid conditions which he loves, have been united. This is why we often find it in water rooms like the bathroom, the toilets or the laundry room. They can also find refuge in bedunder a very hot duvet.
What to do in case of infestation of silver fish?
It will be necessary, at first, to make the reception conditions of these silver fish much less accommodating. Do they like humidity and heat?
- Make sure to ventilate very regularly each room in the house and if that is not enough, install one or more dehumidifiers in the wettest places. Thanks to a thermometer which will also indicate the humidity level, you can ensure that it does not exceed 60% in the room.
- It is also the right time for repair a possible leakeven a minimal, or fill a slightly damp crack. Silver fish will help you no longer procrastinate!
- Then clean your home in depth: vacuum In the smallest corner because silver fish appreciates dust, Record the wealthiest places At home where these insects could take refuge, as under the sink, under the sink, or even at the back of the WC bowl.
For this, no question of using any product, because silver fish has its preferences: it will not be embarrassed by bleach, quite the contrary! We will therefore bet rather on the essential white vinegar whose smell will inconvenience it.
Likewise, bet on others Strong odors To scare the silver fish fleeing and for example place cinnamon sticks, cedar wood, cloves or evenessential oil citrus in infested places. Of the natural methods which will be as effective as insecticides.
What traps to use against silver fish?
To permanently get rid of the money fish, you can also have it and there traps that will leave them no chance.
- Several options are available to you: small heaps near plinths and humid places, composed for example of a so much for so much in Baking soda and sugar or diatomary land. Boric acid can also be used, but carefully, like any insecticide, especially if you have domestic animals at home.
- You can also make a trap for silver fish using a glass jar or a yogurt jarcovered with double-sided tape that will help them climb, and in which you will have placed a sweet mixture or damp paper. Silver fish thus trapped can no longer come out because of the smooth surface. Banco!
Does the pique silver fish? Is it dangerous ?
Do not panic, silver fish is not dangerous for humans! He doesn’t bite and bite either. He is not a vector of illness and does not present any risk of allergy. The biggest danger is for your books which will find themselves nibbles by the insect.