Get rid of silverfish in the kitchen and bathroom

In the vernacular, however, they have established themselves as "silver fish".

Immediate action against silverfish

• Lay out potatoes, sugar or honey
• Set up glue traps
• Set up ammonia water container
• Ventilate rooms regularly
• Spray places of retreat with special sprays
• Close retreats

The silverfish are pests, but actually do not pose a threat to human health because they eat mites and mold, they even contribute to improving the indoor climate at. Nonetheless, many people prefer not to house the shimmering insects in their own four walls. When silverfish occur in the kitchen or bathroom, the question arises of how to get rid of these nimble creatures.
The fight against silverfish takes place in two phases: In phase one all existing ones are removed Pests are eliminated and in phase two the conditions are created to prevent further infestation he follows.

Measures to eliminate existing silverfish

In order to control silverfish effectively, it is important to know what they are eating and where to find shelter. The light-shy insects actually hide

like in cracks and crevices - whether in masonry, in tile joints or behind the wallpaper. Sometimes a damaged silicone joint in the tub or a damp pipe is enough to give silver fish an inlet and shelter. In their diet, they are particular lovers of starch and sugar, as well as of the substance dextrin, which is found in wallpaper paste, for example. In addition to the house dust mites and molds mentioned, they also eat flakes of skin and hair. They are often well served, especially in the bathroom.

Tip: Incidentally, the little pests often get into the apartment through drains.

To drive them away, tried and tested home remedies and measures are recommended. Regularly ventilating the affected rooms is enough to make the environment unattractive for silverfish and drive them away. Open the window two to three times a day for about ten minutes - and the silverfish like the bathroom or the kitchen a lot less. Because ventilation reduces the high level of humidity so popular with animals, while allowing cool air in at the same time.
Glue-based traps are recommended to get the nimble insects straight to the leather. These attract the

Silver fish with scents such as pheromones or food attractants - and then they stick. When purchasing, care should be taken to purchase insecticide-free and moisture-resistant models of the glue traps. A sliced ​​or grated potato that is simply placed on the ground does a similar job. Since the silverfish appreciate the starch in the potato, it lures them out of their holes and can easily be swept up and removed. As a rule, sugar or honey also work as attractants of this type.
A little more care should be taken when setting up salmiak water containers, which is also well suited to get rid of silverfish. Because salmiac water destroys the nervous system of silverfish through its caustic effect - it is also not harmless for humans. This measure should therefore only be undertaken with great caution and in the event of extreme infestation.
Of course, there are also sprays in stores that can be sprayed directly into the animals' hiding places to kill them. Products based on silica or plankton are a little more environmentally friendly: They also kill insects by destroying their protective armor. But because they are based on natural substances, they are non-toxic to humans.
Last but not least, it is of course important to close all cracks and holes that the silverfish can use as a shelter. Construction defects such as leaky windows should also be fixed to prevent silverfish and other pests from entering the house in this way.

Measures to prevent further infestation by silverfish

Once the silverfish have been eliminated, measures should be taken to prevent reintroduction. This includes, above all, the permanent lowering of the humidity in the affected rooms and the more conscious handling of all elements for

ensure a warm and humid room climate.
In addition to regular intermittent ventilation - three to four times a day - it is therefore important not to dry laundry indoors if possible Hang up bathroom rugs to dry after showering or bathing and wipe them regularly to avoid inviting hair and flakes of skin get rid of. If you use cleaning agents that contain vinegar or lemon extract, you also ensure that the silverfish avoid the room simply because they do not like these smells.

Silverfish remedies

It is advisable to absorb all the moisture that has formed immediately after bathing or showering and to ventilate well. Silverfish can be carefully disposed of biologically or chemically. An effective remedy against silver fish is a damp cloth that is covered with plaster and placed in the affected area. The animals collect under the rag and can be easily removed with it.
Half a potato, which is placed on a board and positioned in the affected area, is just as effective. During the night, the vermin collects under the potato and can be removed with the board. Borax is a chemical agent against silverfish and should only be used in bait boxes to protect children and animals. If you add a little sugar, the silverfish will be attracted by it. They absorb the poison and are fought directly.
A very simple remedy for silverfish is boiling water. It is simply poured into the sink, grooves or joints, the animals perish. Even vinegar and ammonia water placed in bowls is an effective remedy against unwanted insects.
Another way to fight vermin is to sprinkle baking soda into broken joints, grooves, or crevices. The powder swells and blocks the animals' way.