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 Ugh! Silverfish (2004)
Author: Mardella 
Date:   04-07-04 20:41

Hi Everyone, I normally post from No. Cal. but this week I'm in Texas helping my DS and DDIL move here. We're in the process of unpacking and I've noticed a few silverfish in cupboards and drawers. Help! I've never had this problem. What should we do? I looked in the pesticide section at Walmart and I didn't see anything to use on silverfish. I just know someone will know what's the best thing to use. Thanks.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: wendyp 
Date:   04-08-04 08:53

Mardella,
Ugh is right, I remember those pesky things from Florida, call a local cleaning or Janitorial service, they have certainly had to deal with this problem, otherwise you might spend $ on things that don't work well.
Wendy Patrick
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: AMM 
Date:   04-08-04 12:40

I have been plagued with these through 3 moves. Alabama, Charleston, SC and now upsstate SC. I admit that I never had luck with do it yourself stuff. At least they are not as gross as roaches (waterbugs as we call them down here). For those of you not lucky enough to have encountered a down south waterbug/Palmetto bug they are about 3-5 inches long and they Fly.
Anyway.....My best results against silverfish have been proffesional quaterly bug treatments. I only see a few silverfish now and then in my sewing room. My bug man says they like the fabric and the starch on the fabric. To get rid of them I'd have to get rid of my stash!!!! HA!!! What lucky silverfish...Welcome to the sewing room.

Anne Michelle Miller

Licensed Martha Pullen Viking Heirloom Instructor
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: jem 
Date:   04-08-04 15:07

When I lived in Charleston, SC we called "Palmetto bugs" the state bird!!!
lol.....My that brings back memories!!
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: mizlilly 
Date:   04-08-04 22:08

I used to have silverfish in my old house. What an inocuous sounding name for such icky things! Was over 20 years ago, but I do remember that they also like darkness and dampness; also glue found in bound books. How about this stuff: Diatomaceous Earth
http://www.biconet.com/crawlers/DE.html
I've used it successfully with other bugs, and it's non-toxic, so won't harm pets, kids, foodstuffs. I'd try it before bringing in the "big guns."
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: wamer5 
Date:   04-09-04 08:45

Don't know what part of Texas you moved to, but they are really not common. lol At least in my part of the state. To dry here. However, we all probably find one or two a year and it usually isn't a problem once you killed it. lol I have never had them to where I needed something to kill them. Usually once you have cleaned everything well in the area you found them in they don't return. However, since I don't know what part of the state you are in, if it is a part that gets more rain than we do you might need to threat. I swear the Raid can for wasp or the one for roaches said it would kill silverfish. I maybe thinking of "7 dust". Check with the local garden center for some "7-dust" it is a chemical for outside pest and I think it will take care of silverfish. We treat our yard all year long with chemicals for fire ants and other bugs and we don't have a problem with the silverfish.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: blondebomber 
Date:   04-09-04 16:55

Ok guys-this one I can actually give you the name of a product that really does work and doesn't stain anything or bother asthma!!! In addition-it kills roaches, palmetto bugs and those horrid Asian roaches that come in your house from outside. Go to walmart and look in the garden section (it used to be in with the pesticides in the cleaning goods area but my dh just got some more for me and said he had to find it in the garden section) for a red spray container called Bengal Roach Spray. MY dh is an entomologist and so when I say this stuff works when NOTHING else does on silverfish it really does! He was amazed at how great this stuff works (it does come with a money back guarantee but I don't think they have to give money back!) on everything-even the ants in the garage. My in-laws house was infested with them when we cleaned it out after moving them to assisted living-it was awful!!!! And they had a pest control company coming out to spray for bugs the whole time they lived there! IN addition (I have 4 big dogs) it also kills fleas without making a mess out of your carpet. Very little smell and no residue because it's not an oil based product. I'm not into any type of pesticide (my dh runs the biocontrol facility for the state actually) but sometimes you've just gotta admit that you need something really good and BENGAL is really good! C
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Mardella 
Date:   04-13-04 11:23

They moved to Round Rock, near Austin. This is the first chance I've had to post and thank all of you for your suggestions. I have passed them on to them. DS said that fire ant prevention was on his to do list. They will also look for the Bengal Roach Spray. Thanks for all the ideas.

Now indulge me while I go OT and tell you what a nightmare the trip to Texas was. We went with them to help transfer their vehicles. The main household items went in a moving van. So we had a pickup truck pulling a travel trailer and an Excursion pulling a rental trailer. The weather was just horrible everywhere we went. We avoided the Southern route (Hwy 10) because of flooding. As soon as we got into Arizona it started raining which turned to snow and ice. We had sleet and thunderstorms, etc. pretty much all the way with occasional breaks of nicer weather. It all went pretty well until we were between Lubbock and Sweetwater. It was raining pretty hard that day and the road was wet but everyone was moving right along. DH was driving the pickup & travel trailer when suddenly it just seemed like we were being pushed from behind and went across from the right hand lane into the median coming to rest jack-knifed in the center ditch. Amazingly neither of us had even a bruise or scratch. The vehicles will need some repair but were drivable. We are quite thankful that we didn't roll over. We proceeded on to Sweetwater where a very nice mechanic inspected everything and said we would be OK to go on slowly. He refused to even take any money. We made it to Temple that night and just barely beat the moving van there the following morning. I'm still having flashback memories of it all. The area around Round Rock is very nice, the house is beautiful, only 4 years old. It will just take a little adjustment for them to get used to a new area. DH and I flew home to CA last night. I needed to share; thanks for listening.
P.S. They're expecting their first child!
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: mizlilly 
Date:   04-13-04 11:36

Yikes! What a scary ordeal for you Mardella. Really saps your energy and leaves you feeling drained, doesn't it? But, happy day, a new grandbaby coming for you! How wonderful. I think you'll be making that trip quite often!! Will you drive again, or would you fly?
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Mardella 
Date:   04-14-04 11:38

That's a very good question. Flying is certainly easier. I think we might drive it at a different time of year, with better weather, and on a more sane schedule. If we could just stop when we felt like it and see some of the sights, it would be fun. I had not been across that part of the country since I was a teenager. It was the old route 66 then. They have promised to come home often, but after the little one arrives that could be more difficult. For now I'm just thankful that DS still has a job. The cost of living is so much lower there. We pay $3.59 for a gallon of milk here, there it is $1.58. It was the same on many things, especially housing. A new grandchild will be wonderful! It's a high risk pregnancy, so we're saying our prayers.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shelley 
Date:   04-17-04 08:26

Silverfish are repelled by cedar and lavender.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: v 
Date:   04-17-04 09:39

and I love those scents.......sounds like a nice way to get rid of them.....lol
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: AMM 
Date:   04-18-04 14:27

Great advice.. I am going to put cedar and lavender in my sewing room..

Anne Michelle Miller

Licensed Martha Pullen Viking Heirloom Instructor
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Douglas Lee 
Date:   07-20-04 20:59

Can anybody tell me if the cedar or lavender worked?
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Douglas Lee 
Date:   07-21-04 20:30

did it work?
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: ErinElizabeth 
Date:   07-24-04 15:12

Well, I have had to deal with silverfish nearly my entire life. I live in the dry, hot desert southwest. They may say that silverfish like things moist, but my silverfish seem to be just as happy as can be in an arid climate! I've never found anything that gets rid of them long term except a professional. Here in the desert, we just have to accept the "bug man" as a monthly ritual that cannot be forgotten. I hate those big, awful waterbugs too!! People who have pools seem to get them all the time. Those nasty things are like giant roaches that dive bomb! I also hate cicadas (ours don't seem to know that they aren't supposed to arrive yearly), all manner of roaches, and the ever present spider. Vinegaroons and scorpions are a real treat too. Thankfully, I recently moved and I haven't seen a scorpion yet in my new neighborhood...although the neighbors say we get rattlesnakes. By the way, I love lavender and use it all the time, but the silverfish seem to love it too.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   07-25-04 14:07

Is there any way to control silverfish without spraying chemicals?

Yes, there is. There is a product called Niban Bait which is very effective against silverfish (as well as cockroaches, crickets and some ants). It is made from boric acid so is relatively safe. Place the bait where you see silverfish activity.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: ErinElizabeth 
Date:   07-26-04 16:37

If this Niban Bait works then I should buy it in bulk! Thanks for the hint.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   07-26-04 21:45

Erin - what we do for ants the regular kind since we do not have fire ants in Canada is as follows - now this is for ants
But here are some tips for controlling them:

• Clean up. Keep kitchen counters and cupboards clean.

• Clear pet food. Ants love pet food.

• Look for points where the ants enter the house and caulk them closed. Ants often come in where a pipe or wire enters the house.

• Use traps and sprays, but only in conjunction with cleaning and caulking.

• And now (drum roll) the formula you asked for: Mix one tablespoon of boric acid with 1/2-cup of fruit jelly (jam or honey will work). Drop teaspoons of the mixture into jar lids or paper cupcake liners and place the bait where ants can find it.

Also, you might try sprinkling baby powder at the point of entry into your house.

For silverfish since the Niban contains boric acid which kills silverfish instead of jam etc make a mixture of 1 cup sugar and one cup water and boil until syrup and add 4 tablespoons of boric acid - cut a paper towel in 4 and dip into sugary boric acid and place on lid of margarine container place where you see the silverfish.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: mizlilly 
Date:   07-26-04 21:48

... and keep away from children and pets, right Shirley?
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   07-27-04 22:01

The boric is not appealing to the pets mind you mine all love KLEENEX and I dont think it is harmful or so the site said. For the silverfish - never had them Thank God!!! but a friend had them in her linen closet and bathroom - was on the toilet first time I saw one - feet straight out balancing on the toilet seat - had no idea what it was - ok big chicken. I would tend to put the bait where my dogs/cats could not get it just in case.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: grammybear 
Date:   08-09-04 18:17

Boric acid is also great for fleas and ticks. The little buggers crawl thru it, it sticks in the hinges of their shells and dehydrates 'em. Boric acid usually will not hurt your animals. I raised cats for 20 years, and that was soooooooo much cheaper and safer than the flea products on the market!. Worked on all sorts of creepy crawlies.

shirl
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Fairy Godmother 
Date:   09-29-04 16:34

Boric acid is great stuff for humid climates (like central Texas) with those nasty waterbugs and all sorts of creepy crawlies. It's not poisonous in small quantities to humans (according to my mother... - y'all will tell me if she's been wrong all these years, won't you?!).

I grew up with boric acid powder lining our cabinets, closet floors, etc., etc., etc. Still use the stuff. You can buy it like a stick of chalk in Asian markets and just draw around the perimeter of your cabinet shelves and closet floors. I always heard that if you get it wet, it looses its efficacy, though, so I always re-apply after washing shelves, etc.

Regards,
The Fairy Godmother
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Sewin Jo 
Date:   09-30-04 00:08

Shirley......Will the boric acid mixture work for nats, the small ones that like over ripe fruit. When my son came home from 1 wk in hospital & 1wk in rehab (physical) the kitchen had a nat problem. We ate out for the two wks so cause was fruit or garbage can.

If anyone knows something that will work....please advise. They really have enough to worry about without nats.

Sewin Jo
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   09-30-04 21:19

Sewin Jo - I read somewhere that these fruit flies need water to live so if you keep your sink absolutely dry they wont be able to reproduce and they will die of thirst. This is a big problem in bars where things have to be dry or the flies take over. I had this problem onces - I used a damp towel and the vacuum - I kept moving my hanging basket of fruit - they would take to the air and I would whack with the damp towel or vacuum - I just had the hose no foot attachment. That and wiping the sink dry before I went to work or before bed and I killed them.
Now if I see fruit flies in the stores on the fruit I walk away - too afraid that they have laid their eggs and I will get home and they will hatch in my kitchen.
I have read that you can put a saucer of cider vinegar and a good few drops of liquid dawn dish soap - people swear by it for fruit flies.
If it is sewer gnats you need to pour baking soda down the drain and pour half cup of white vinegar - if you have double sink you will need soda and half cup vinegar down both sides.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Sewin Jo 
Date:   09-30-04 23:17

Shirley.....Thanks for your reply. They are the really small ones not the sewer gnats. (at least I think not) I will tell them about the cider vinegar and a few drops of dawn.
I can just see you swatting and sucking up those gnats with the vacuum. lol lol I would try that if it were me but ddil would probably think that was to much trouble.

Sewin Jo
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: I-of the needle 
Date:   10-01-04 09:53

I've enjoyed reading all these suggestions. Some I have tried and they really work. Thanks
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   10-01-04 12:10

SewinJo - I just about made myself sick - the vacuum was in the middle of the kitchen - every time I came into the kitchen I would pick up the vacuum and towel - swing the fruit basket to get them swarming and suck and swat. After a weekend of that I thought that I finally had them under control. Went into my bathroom and there was one or two flying around the sink - I totally lost it ran for the damp towel closed the bathroom door and starting swinging - I had this beautiful crystal tiny ashtray with gold rim on my window sill (late husband used to smoke) but now it held bathbeads - fruit fly landed on the window curtain - I swung - and that ashtray didnt have a chance hit the side of the toilet and crashed.

People who have had fruit flies and been obsessed I am sure can relate. I only read about the cider vinegar after the fact.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Sewin Jo 
Date:   10-02-04 01:59

Shirley,

Sorry about your dish(previous ashtray), sounds like something I would do.

Sewin Jo
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: grannys 
Date:   10-30-04 20:30

Hello, if you like in a damp area like we do then silverfish are just part of every day life. When we moved into this hhome we were over run by silverfish, I was out of my mind with what to do.
I called a local exterminator and the man told me that I could pay for them to spray chemicals in my house every month for as long as we lived here or I could go to my local wine supply store and buy absorbic acid (just like you put in peaches when you can them to keep them from turning dark) and sprinkle this every where you couldn't see, behind the washer and dryer, in the back of cupboards ets. I aslo found that when I sweep weekly I then use my dry swifter with absorbic acid sprinkled on the cloth and I haven't seen the 1st silverfish for years and I don't intend to. I go through about 6 oz. of absorbic acid every 4 - 5 months, a small price to pay to get rid of those creepy crawling cloth eaters.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: mizlilly 
Date:   10-31-04 00:01

Sounds like a great solutions, grannys, because unless consumed in great quantity, ascorbic acid should be harmless to little people and pets.
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: shirley-Calgary 
Date:   10-31-04 00:16

I will file that tip away for when we move back to Quebec just in case. I much prefer home remedies and we use absorbic acid to clean ice maker and I also used it in making bath bombs - wish I could find cheaper source.

Shirley - Calgary
mom to Baxie (bichon) Bella, Dickens (Maltese) & Chi-Chi and Cowboy Apr 15/2010 at Rainbow Bridge Pistol - Cowboys littermate went today August 31/2010

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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: Mardella 
Date:   10-31-04 13:01

I wonder if diatomaceous earth would work. It's supposed to keep roaches away. It would certainly be cheaper. Anyone have any experience with it?
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 Re: Ugh! Silverfish
Author: grannys 
Date:   10-31-04 19:00

My husband was just looking at this request for help with silverfish and reminded me that when you have silver fish you need to get rid of every possible cardboard box that is in the house since they live on the glue in the accordian part of the box. We replace our cardboard with plastic totes and they are more sturdy.

Sorry about leaving this little part out!
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