Silverfish are nocturnal destructors of property and contaminators of food. They eat proteins, carbohydrates & starches found in our homes that are not considered food to humans. These include: glues, book bindings, plaster, paints, papers, photos,  dandruff, hair, carpet, clothing, cotton, linen, silk, tapestries, leather, synthetic fabrics as well as sugar and coffee. These pests do not transmit disease.

Boric acid powder is an all natural insecticide that is fatal to silverfish, cockroaches, ants, carpenter ants, termites, palmetto & water bugs. While wearing a dust mask, use a bulb squeeze applicator to apply into cracks, crevices & baseboards. Remove electrical & light switch plates to apply to the void behind the wall. Apply away from food preparation surfaces and in areas inaccessible to children & pets. This targets the bugs where they hide and reduces the risk of any accidental ingestion or skin contact.

It has a low toxicity to people & pets when used correctly, but when the bugs walk through the powder, they track it back to the nest. It is abrasive to their exterior exoskeleton and causes internal dehydration and death. This product is easy to find in retail stores,

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth is another product that cause dehydration and death insects in much the same way, but is more difficult to buy locally.  It is made of fresh water fossil shells ground into a flour. On the microscopic level, it’s hard and sharp causing exoskeleton etching. There have been no negative side effects in case studies, however, a dust mask should be used during application because it is abrasive.

One of the few Central Florida retailers that carries food-grade DE is Louise’s Pet Connection Natural Pet Market in Lake Mary. The current market rate is $5.99 a pound as of January 2012.

http://www.louisespetconnection.com

Industrial-Grade Diatomaceous Earth is not the same. It’s not edible and not to be used except in swimming pool water filtration systems.