THERE’S nothing better than opening your windows and letting the warm summer breeze flow through your home.
Unfortunately, this action can also draw bugs into your space, but don’t worry because a simple hack can help keep a common kind out.
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Silverfish may be a year-round pest but they are particularly drawn to warm humid conditions.
This makes the toasty summer months a popular time for the insect to pop up in your home.
Households have now been advised to use a common kitchen ingredient to ward off these bugs.
Putting salt on your windowsills can help prevent this pest from entering your home, reports the Daily Express.
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The slim, wingless insects measure about 12 milimetres and have a distinctive silvery sheen.
They are named after their silvery, metallic appearance as well as their fish-like movements.
Complete with long antennae and three tail-like appendages, they are not the ideal houseguest for the squeamish.
Silverfish are also known to be fast-moving, especially when disturbed.
This makes catching or killing them once they’ve entered your home a difficult task.
Thankfully, salt can help ward them off, and you can pick up a 750-gram bottle from Asda for just 68p.
If you’re worried you may have a silverfish infestation, a musty smell in your home may be an indicator.
The insects emit this odour, which caused by pheromones that male silverfish release to attract females for mating.
If you notice this smell, it’s likely you have a problem with silverfish in your home.
Since they prefer moist areas, experts recommend paying particular attention to your kitchens and bathrooms.
These bugs are nocturnal and can often be found hiding out in damp books, paper, cupboards, behind skirting boards, and in your wallpaper.
Keep pests out all summer
IF you want to ensure that your home is pest free this summer, here’s what you need to know.
Hornets and wasps – hate the smell of peppermint oil so spraying this liberally around your patio or balcony can help to keep them at bay.
Moths – acidic household white vinegar is effective for deterring moths. Soak some kitchen roll in vinegar and leave it in your wardrobe as a deterrent.
Flying ants – herbs and spices, such as cinnamon, mint, chilli pepper, black pepper, cayenne pepper, cloves, or garlic act as deterrents.
Mosquitoes – plants, herbs and essential oil fragrances can help deter mozzies inside and out. Try eucalyptus, lavender and lemongrass.
They leave behind small holes or yellow stains as they eat through these materials, damaging your home.
Silverfish are known to feed on small food particles, wallpaper paste, bookbinding gums, dead insects, and textiles such as cotton and linen.
And even if you haven’t noticed them munching on your possessions, it doesn’t mean they aren’t lurking in your home as these bugs can survive for several months without any food at all.
If you think you may have an infestation, it’s important to act fast as females are known to lay about 100 eggs.
Often found in cracks or crevices, these eggs are initially white before turning brown.
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They can be hard to spot, with hatching taking two to eight weeks, and depending on the environment, these insects may mature in months to a year.
But don’t fret, the experts at Aptive Pest Control reports swear by using salt to ward off these pesky pests.
Simply sprinkle some salt around the areas of your house where you have seen silverfish activity or mix it with warm water to create a surface spray.
You can also use silica gel to tackle these insects, as it absorbs moisture from the air, dehydrating the silverfish and preventing them from reproducing.
Peppermint oil is another effective way of repelling these insects with other essential oils such as lavender, cedarwood, and tea tree also reported to work.
Simply mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and apply to areas where you have seen silverfish activity.
