HORRORS!!!!!

[Andykev]

This morning I opened one of my hat boxes to wear my Resistol hat (I just got it from Art few weeks back). Something MOVED inside the box! GADS...a SILVERFISH!

NO damage to the hat, but the little bugger was looking very hungry. Now I am worried. See one, don't see many more. Gotta clean out the office and toss the old paperwork.

ANYONE had dealings with these nasty fur and paper eating monsters? They are fast and hide very quickly!!

 

[Andykev]

Research

I just did some research on the subject...does anyone have experience as to what works...? This is a long list of stuff to use.

Control Measures
Prevention

Sanitation is important but not entirely effective in reducing populations because insects often reside between wall partitions, in insulation materials, in books and papers, among book shelves and in other protected places. However, be sure to remove old stacks of newspapers, magazines, papers, books and fabrics plus foodstuffs spilled and stored for long periods of time. Often reducing available water and lowering the home's relative humidity with dehumidifiers and fans is helpful. Repair leaking plumbing and eliminate moisture around laundry areas. Lighting a dark, sheltered area may force these insects to move to new sites where they can be controlled more easily. Once the infestation has been eliminated, sanitation will help prevent reinfestation.
Insecticides

Treatments need to be applied thoroughly to all potential hiding places such as cracks, crevices, inside floor moldings, around steam and water pipes, in and behind seldom moved furniture, closets and even attics. It may be necessary to drill small holes in the walls to treat large populations in wall voids. Control may not be immediate since bristletails in wall voids must move out and contact the insecticides. It may take 10 to 14 days.

There are many insecticides labelled for control of silverfish and firebrats (bristletails). Residual sprays of chlorpyrifos (Duration, Dursban, Empire, Engage, Killmaster II), chlorpyrifos + pyrethrins (Dual Use), diazinon and propoxur (Baygon) can be used. Space sprays of amorphous silica gel (Drione, Tri-Die), pyrethrins (Exciter, Kicker, Microcare, Pyrenone, Pyrethrum, Safer, Synerol, Uld, X-Clude), resmethrin (Vectrin) and esfenvalerate (Conquer) can supplement residual sprays, especially in attics, crawl spaces and other hard-to-reach areas. Likewise, dusts of bendiocarb (Ficam), boric acid (Borid, Niban, Mop-UP, Perma Dust), diatomaceous earth (Answer), diatomaceous earth + pyrethrins (Organic Plus) are effective in places where sprays are hard to reach such as in wall voids, crawl spaces and attics. Other insecticides labelled for "restricted use" can be applied only by the licensed pest control operator or applicator. Their products include bendiocarb + pyrethrins (Ficam Plus), cyfluthrin (Optem, Tempo), cypermethrin (Cynoff, Cyper-Active, Demon, Vikor), deltamethrin (Suspend), lambdacyhalothrin (Commodore), permethrin (Dragnet, Flee, Prelude, Torpedo), propetamphos (Safrotin) and tralomethrin (Saga). Before using any insecticide, always read the label, follow directions and safety precautions. It is advisable to use the services of a reputable, licensed pest control operator or applicator when infestations are persistent and hard to locate.

 

[Art Fawcett]

Andy,
Spray, clean, spray, remove all paper, books, etc., spray, pull all hats out of the boxes, spray, if this doesn't work, set off bug bombs. I HATE THESE CRITTERS!!!!

 

[Bogie1943]

This may a stupid question, but, what the heck is a SILVERFISH??

 

[Andykev]

Nasty insects that EAT

Clothes, hats, furs, books, paper.........

SILVERFISH

 

[Andykev]

Here

They are silver little insects that scury so fast they are almost invisible.

 

[Bogie1943]

OK WOW, now I hate bugs, hate, I am using the word hate here, towards bugs, call me baby girl or whatever you wish, but I hate bugs! LOL, man I hope I never see one of those things, if I do and he has taken a bit out of something of mine, then I might get really mad and not be so, well, ya know. YUCK

 

[Imahomer]

They do move quickly! I haven't seen one in years and when I did see them, they were usually outside in wood piles, or along those lines. If I saw one in my house I'd be worried. When you see one, there are plenty more hiding!

 

[Wild Root]

Fast? Well, yes they can be. But not faster then me! When I see them I go right for them! I see them in boxes mostly. So, they are trapped for the most part and I take opportunity to end their escapades! Yes, it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s a losing battle, but it?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s one less in the world to do any damage.

Cheers.