Silverfish are a common household pest in the UK.
While not dangerous to humans, these bugs are a real nuisance to have around the house, ruining books, wallpaper and clothes wherever they go.
As they breed fast and can quickly create an infestation, it's good to act quickly to get rid of them as soon as you spot them.
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1. Find out where they are
These silvery-blue little beasts love damp, dark and humid places. They also love to feed on dust, unsealed dried food and clutter like paper and books, meaning attics, garages, bathrooms and kitchens are prime spots for finding silverfish.
As they're nocturnal, you might not actually ever see the cigar-shaped wingless insects themselves. Instead you might just see the telltale signs such as yellow stains on clothes made from synthetic fabrics, cereal boxes and other cardboards as well as small holes and black pepper-like droppings left on old paper and wallpaper.
Grim as it is, you can also sometimes find them burrowing in unsealed dried food packets.
2. Turn down the heat
Well, actually turn down the humidity to be more precise. Silverfish thrive in moist, warm environments so show them they're not welcome with a dehumidifier, seal up leaky pipes and make sure your rooms are well-ventilated.
You should also seal up any cracks in the wall and sort out any damp or broken gutters.
3. Have a declutter
It's easy to keep putting off sorting out those papers or dealing with that drawer where you bung everything you can't bear to look at, but if you have silverfish in your home, your clutter is giving them a brilliant little home so time to sort it out.
Clear out the things you haven't looked in years and store anything you do need in airtight bins.
The same goes for your kitchen cupboards. Get rid of the 10 random bags of flour and opened packets of pasta and condense all dried foods into sealed, sturdy containers to stop hungry silverfish raiding your cupboards for crumbs.
Getting out the vacuum to give all your floors a good going-over will also help get rid of both tempting crumbs and any silverfish eggs that can be hard to see.
4. Make a humane trap
Grab a tall, glass jar and wrap with masking tape - this gives the bugs a way to climb in. Then fill the jar with a piece of bread or some flour and set the trap in the place you've seen silverfish or at least signs of them.
Attracted by the food in the bottom, the silverfish will climb in, but because of the slipperiness of the glass, they won't be able to climb out again.
After a day or so, take the jar far away from your house and release them.
5. Try a safe remedy
Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a non-toxic powder made from the crumbled, fossilised remains of a type of algae that is effective at getting rid of silverfish but won't harm humans or pets when used correctly. You can buy it online or from places like your local garden centre or DIY store.
Simply sprinkle in areas where you've seen silverfish - ideally in the evening to be in with the best chance of getting them.
Get out and stay out
Once you've got rid of the silverfish, you can keep them away with these top tips:
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Seal up with caulk or weatherstripping any gaps around windows and doors that silverfish could crawl through
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For areas that easily get damp, such as under the sink, consider leaving a box of chalk open to absorb the moisture and change it monthly
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Silverfish hate clean surfaces, but even more than that they hate citrus and cinnamon smells so grab some essential oils in those scents and use it to clean cupboards and surfaces