Boric Acid For Silverfish

Boric acid is one of the many available chemicals (and one of the most effective) that can be used against insects and especially silverfish. Although it is found in many forms, including living ones, it is generally not considered to be a "natural product."

Properties - Desiccant

Boric's main action against silverfish is as a desiccant. This means that it kills them by absorbing all the moisture out of the insect's body. Without moisture, the silverfish cannot survive and quickly dies.

Properties - Poison

Boric acid's main advantage is as a desiccant. But it is also an effective poison. It can even kill humans but must be eaten in huge quantities - hence it is considered safe for home use.

But if a silverfish eats boric acid then it will quickly die. This is the basis of some types of silverfish traps - they are made entirely of cardboard that is saturated in the acid. Silverfish see the cardboard as food (carbohydrates are the mainstay of their diet) and they eat it, oblivious to the fact that it will kill them.

Properties - Abrasive

Boric powder is also highly abrasive. Insects including silverfish will often avoid it and those that attempt to travel through it can die due to the abrasive nature of the powder on their exoskeletons.

This is one reason why it is useful to throw boric acid powder into cracks and crevices where silverfish live. It will not only stop them from getting past the powder but it will also kill them if they try.

Natural Alternatives To Boric Acid

Boric is only lethal in large amounts. Amounts that are used against insects are also safe. However, if you have pets or small children then you might want to choose something safer.

Alternative Choice #1 - Powder

You can obtain powders that do not contain boric acid. They are not poisonous but they do have desiccant properties. They may be labelled or referred to as "botanical insect powders" because they are derived from plant oils.

Alternative Choice #1 - Traps

An alternative to boric acid traps are simple sticky insect traps but they are not considered as effective when used to target silverfish.

You can also make your own homemade trap by taking a glass jar (silverfish cannot climb smooth surfaces) and wrapping it in masking tape (giving the silverfish something to grip on). Put some carbohydrate type bait in the jar and then leave out. The silverfish won't die but they will be trapped and you can dispose of them as you see fit.

Boric Acid For Silverfish

Insect Killer

Boric Acid For Silverfish

Boric Acid For Silverfish
Boric Acid For Silverfish

Insect Killer

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

A good silverfish killer should be efficient, easy to use and cheap. Silverfish are fast and nimble creatures and demand the utmost respect when it comes to their extermination. However, they can be beaten and in this article I'll share with you what I think are the top three best ways to kill silverfish, including the number one silverfish killer.

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

---

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

Number 3 - Powder

Powder is great against silverfish. You can sprinkle it in gaps in walls and wherever else silverfish may be coming from. They won't be able to get past it.

If they touch it, they will lose all the moisture inside them and they will quickly die. That's if their exoskeletons are not already damaged by the abrasive nature of the powder.

You can get pesticide or natural powder. If you go for the former, then it will have the added benefit that if the silverfish eat it then they will also be poisoned. However, if you go for the latter then it's still frankly good enough.

Number 2 - Traps

Some people don't like to sprinkle powder around at home. Or, you might want to have even more weapons in your arsenal to defeat your foe. Traps are then a great idea.

The most basic kind of trap is a sticky insect trap. If the silverfish get too curious then they will become stuck to the adhesive interior of the trap. The good thing about this kind of trap is that you are left with no mess.

The better kind of trap is just made of cardboard and soaked in boric acid. When the silverfish eat it, they are poisoned and they quickly die. This is the most efficient type of trap you can get and they are also very cheap. The only problem is that you have to sweep up a few silverfish carcasses around the trap but this is really not that big of a deal.

The reason why traps are number 2 is that they are generally less messy that powder and they are also extremely efficient. You certainly won't be left thinking " where do silverfish come from " and scratching your head!

Number 1, Best Way - You

Laying down powder and traps is not enough to get rid of silverfish. To beat this enemy, you have to play smart.

Silverfish need two things to survive: food and water. You need to exploit this to get rid of them. This means vacuuming often and checking your humidity. Do you have any leaks in the house?

There is also no need to use chemicals. You can wipe them all out using natural, non-toxic and/or organic silverfish killers.

If you focus on your strategy then you can easily defeat silverfish, even if there are others in your apartment block who still have them.

Silverfish Killer - What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?