Silverfish and Diatomaceous Earth

[beignet05]

Hello! Long time lurker and my first post is about bugs. Fantastic start. I've read all over the internet about using Diatomaceous Earth for getting rid of silverfish but I am unsure where to put it. Most sources say along the walls and in the corners. We mostly have them in the basement and we never see them anywhere but ON the walls (usually

Comments

[leeneh]

They like two things - paper and humidity.
In addition to putting it along the walls and in the corners, put it also in and around any cardboard boxes and other paper stuff you have down there.
And, get a dehumidifier.

[beignet05]

We have a dehumidifier but it is in the other room. Probably should put it where the washer drains, that would make sense. Fortunately, there is no paper down there, not too many boxes. Thanks for the suggestions!

[leeneh]

If your walls are slightly coarse (plastered concrete, for instance) you might be able to dust enough DE onto them to make it work. Then you can put it around doors and windows as well, if that's where they enter. I saw further down that you don't have window sills to put it on, but maybe you can put up one, or just nail a list under the window just wide enough to put a string of DE on (ask for permission first if you're renting, of course)? If your windows can be opened you can put some inside the frame all around as well.

I dusted the outside around my bathroom window to keep ants out a while back. First I washed with vinegar to remove/cover their smell trace, then I used a regular 2cm painting brush and dusted around the window where the concrete meets the wood of the window frame (you can use one of these rubber balls you can get in the pharmacy, as well - I've just never gotten around to buy one). I made sure I stuffed as much as I could into all the tiny cracks and crevices I found. Haven't seen an ant since.

Edit: annoying

[beignet05]

I wish I could open the windows or nail something up there but we're renting. But the walls are kind of coarse, maybe I could dust them a little. Hadn't thought of that. Thanks!

[withoutsums]

Blech...you're reminding me that it's about time to re-apply the DE around my apartment (heh). I say, put it in the corners and along the walls as suggested, because presumably they are crawling along/across those areas on their way to crawl up the walls (they have to get there somehow!). Also, not sure how your basement is situated but if it has any ground-level windows definitely sprinkle some along the windowsills.

ETA: err, I think the correct term is "garden-level" but I'm sure you know what I mean.

[beignet05]

Oh don't I wish that the windowsills were actual sills. Unfortunately, the windows are flush with the walls! I figure around the top of the sink and along the ways should help, they have to have highways somewhere! Thanks!

[den_lace]

from another long time lurker but ocasional poster .. definitely don't use D.E. if you have pet cats and dogs!! which on thinking about this, is probably a rather obvious statement!

[beignet05]

I've read that as well. We do have a dog but under no circumstance is he allowed in the basement. We have had rodents in the past and keep bait traps out so he is NEVER allowed in the basement.

[jaimefrazier]

Actually if you use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth if you have cats and dogs it is quite safe. I know many people that use it to control fleas in their homes, me included. But you have to make sure it is the FOOD GRADE Diatomaceous Earth and not the type used in swimming pools. The food grade D.E. can also be sprinkled on the cat or dog and rubbed into their fur and it will not harm them. If they lick it off and injest it the D.E. also helps with controlling worms (not heart worms) and even people consume it. So not all D.E. is created equal, just check to make sure if you are going to use it on and around your pets that you use the Food Grade D.E.

[maynda]

I'll second this. Food grade or "fossil flour" DE is safe for pets. A friend who owns a farm feeds it to her livestock to control worms. Before I put it down in my house around my pet/child I tried a teaspoon of it in water. I'm here to tell the tale. The concern is in the inhalation of it. However, as long as it is placed in the corners/crevices and isn't allowed to float about freely in the air you're safe.

[feministyogini]

I have no evidence that this would work but what if you put some DE in water in a spray bottle and spritzed it on the walls?

[beignet05]

Hmm. . . might be worth a shot. I'm not sure if it would really dissolve or if it would clog up the sprayer. I remember trying that for my garden with cayenne pepper and it ruined the spray bottle! But DE is finer particles so that might work. Thanks!

[maynda]

I'd skip this. When it dries you'd likely wind up with it blowing in the air. The only real "danger" with DE is via inhalation. It embeds in the lungs and can cause somewhat serious respiration problems over time.

They're crawling up from somewhere. I'd suggest laying it down in the corners and where the floors meet the walls. You'll catch them there.

[beignet05]

Good point. Thank you for pointing that out. Will avoid spraying it on the walls and stick to the corners and floor.