Panic! Silverfish...can't get rid. Driving me mad...

[gerbo]

Please help!

Around 8/9 months ago one evening I discovered we have silverfish. We I've in a fairly clean and tidy 3 bed 1960s house and I'm beginning to freak out as I just can't get rid of them.

A few times we have used the charmingly named "death lac" spray and haven't seen them out at night since. BUT....I've had a few during the day recently (squirm) and just saw one on my hob as I prepared dinner - feel a bit sick!

When I first saw them they were on the kitchen and lounge floors, at night, but this daytime sighting is new. Surely they can't be increasing in numbers?

Am freaking out also about food. Should it all be put into plastic containers? Are they able to climb into high kitchen cupboards?

Are they only downstairs or will they be stairs too?

There has also been an unidentifiable "damp"odour about our house the last few months. I'm worried we may have a leak somewhere and they are here because of that.

Anyone with any advice? Feeling a bit ill after seeing that on my hob! I'm not the best housewife but neither is the house dirty.

HELP!

Hi, silverfish are very common especially in old houses and as far as I know they are harmless. Nothing to do with how clean the house is. They exist in damp places (under the bath is a favourite) so I suspect that the dampness is creating the right conditions for them. Do you think you might have a leak under the floor or from the tap connections under the kitchen sink? Worth investigating I would have thought.

If you dry out the damp source they will probably go or at least reduce in number. In the meantime I'd suggest any cheap ant and crawling insect powder from a hardware store or supermarket. Scatter it around the edge of your kitchen units at bedtime and hoover up in the morning (if you can take the kickplates off and put powder down behind them and leave it there so much the better). Repeat for about a week. It has always worked for me and I say that as someone who has always had old and rather damp houses.

If the house is damp you may need to repeat it from time to time.

Good luck.

According to Wikipedia they can live for a year without eating, and although they do damage by eating things ( including books) they do not spread disease.

You can get rid of them with Raid or other insect killer, although you need to repeat doses. You may also want to seal any gaps under skirting boards etc with caulk.

If you see them most household cleaners seem to kill them if you spray them with it. We had some in our bathroom in our HA flat and used this way to get rid of any we saw, we had a young toddler so couldn't safely put traps down really. I researched they were not harmless and how difficult they can be to get rid permanantly we were also looking to move so I just left it.

I believe you can try leaving upside down tape to catch them. Its difficult as they only appear at night. I would often load myself with the spay gun turn out the light then back on and fire!

God I wish I hadn't googled 'silverfish' boak!

I believe neem oil is recommended against silverfish, if you want to avoid toxic chemicals...

Thanks ladies.....all good ideas and advice. Does anyone have experience of them going into bedrooms?? Paranoid about the children's rooms now......

Most houses have them! Their presence is better for your health than spraying about toxic insecticides. Just check that you haven't got a slow leak somewhere - good idea 3mum, but otherwise relax - their presence doesn't indicate a dirty house.

Don't worry about the children's rooms - yes they are probably present but they are going to do no harm. I live in an old stone house, and yes I am sure they are in every room - I don't give them a second thought - you shouldn't either!

I love mumsnet.

Thanks for the good tips. And for the calming advice.

You are all gems.