Is there a silverfish in your ceiling and you are wondering how to get rid of Silverfish on the Ceiling? You must be worried if it can cause you any harm.
Below, we will discuss if silverfish are harmful to humans and how to remove them from the ceiling once and for all.
How to Get Rid of Silverfish on the Ceiling
You can get rid of silverfish by dusting all the cracks in your ceiling with a desiccant insecticide such as diatomaceous earth (DE). You need to dust the light fixtures and crown moldings in the ceilings, under the electric outlet and electric switch covers, and around the windows.
You need to cover all possible openings in the ceiling with an insecticidal dust. The silverfish might be entering your ceiling from the attic through these cracks. Once you cover these openings with desiccant dust the silverfish will not be able to invade our house.
Desiccant dust is the least toxic form of pest control that is effective but not harmful to humans or pets. However, it is still classified as a pesticide and should be handled with care and kept away from children and pets.
It is advised to wear a mask and goggles when using desiccant dust to ensure you don’t inhale it to avoid respiratory irritation. The desiccant insecticidal dust is usually effective for 6-12 months. You just need to make sure it does not get wet.
Will Diatomaceous Earth Kill Silverfish
Yes, Diatomaceous earth does Kill Silverfish. It kills them by starving them of liquids which causes dehydration which leads to death.
To use diatomaceous earth to kill silverfish follow these steps
- Spray an insecticide or put desiccant dust on areas of infestation. Make sure to cover any cracks and fixtures in the ceiling. Common pesticides used to get rid of silverfish include boric acid, Diatomaceous Earth, and pyrethrin.
- Make a jar trap. Place starchy food inside a glass container and cover the outer surface of the jar with masking tape. The silverfish will climb into the jar but it will be trapped inside. It will not be able to climb back out since the inside glass surface is too smooth for it to climb.
- Roll up newspaper. Roll up a wet newspaper to attract silverfish. The silverfish will crawl into it and start living there, attracted to the highly humid condition inside. Burn or simply throw away the newspaper after a few days.
- Place sticky traps in your home to trap Silverfish.
- Spray cedar oil around your home. A natural way to get rid of silverfish is to spread out a solution of cedar oil and water in your house using a spray bottle. The smell of cedar oil is extremely repulsive for silverfish which will make them avoid the area sprayed with cedar oil.
- Place dried bay leaves in your home. Silverfish are repelled by the smell of bay leaves.
How long does it take diatomaceous earth to kill silverfish?
It will take between 7 – 12 days for a silverfish to die from diatomaceous earth.
This is the time it will take for them to die from dehydration.
Why are there silverfish on my ceiling?
Silverfish commonly live outdoors near gutters and under exterior siding or roof shingles.
In the winters, silverfish tend to migrate into homes looking for warmth. Silverfish may enter the ceiling through any cracks or openings in the attic floor.
How To Remove Silverfish in Light Fixtures
If you have silverfish in your light fixtures follow these steps to remove them.
- Put down a towel below the light fixture which will catch any dust and silverfish that might drop.
- Using a ladder clean the outside of the light fixture with a cloth or hoover
- Remove the light by undoing the screws
- Remove as much dust and dirt that you can
- Wipe clean with a damp towel (I use wet wipes)
- Spray the inside and outside of the light fixture with something such as insecticide or diatomaceous earth
- Re-connect the light by putting the screws back
Note that if there are still silverfish in your light fixture it will take them 7 – 12 days for the insecticide or diatomaceous earth to work. So don’t be alarmed if you see them.
Also make sure to empty your hoover as soon as you are finished as the silverfish are most likely not dead in there.
Is it common for silverfish to be on a ceiling?
It is common for silverfish to be seen on ceilings. The silverfish like to live in the attic from where they enter the ceiling through cracks and crevices around light fixtures.
Silverfish eat starchy items that are high in both polysaccharides and protein. They are mostly active during the night. Silverfish are not considered to be harmful to humans since they do not bite or cause disease.
However, these insects are a nuisance since they damage books, stored food, and clothing by feeding on them. Silverfish like to live in the attic since it is full of storage boxes, glue, paper, etc.
Silverfish usually live outside the house and only mistakenly come inside the house once in a while. However, if you see these insects more frequently inside the house then you need to get rid of them. The following are some tips to prevent a silverfish infestation in your home:
- Remove anything stored next to your home’s exterior since the silverfish might be using it to climb up the house to enter window frames, vents, and utility pipes.
- Regular cleaning and sealing of shake roofs every other year is recommended.
- Since silverfish thrive in humid areas it is advised to get a dehumidifier for your home.
- Any leaky pipes and drains should be repaired and any moldy or wet wood should be repaired since silverfish are attracted to such moist areas.
- Old books and magazines should not be stored in attics, basements, and garages since silverfish like to feed on these items.
- Store food items such as flour and sugar in air-tight containers so that silverfish are not attracted into the house looking for food.
- If you suspect that you have a widespread silverfish infestation in the house it is better to contact a licensed pest control professional for pest control.