The Hack That Sends Silverfish Packing For Good

Silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) are more than an annoyance in the home. These insects can cause damage to paper, fabrics, and food if left uncontrolled. If you've tried all the best ways to get rid of silverfish but they keep creeping back, and you're not ready to spend potentially hundreds of dollars on an exterminator, there is a hack that could send silverfish packing for good. Certain essential oils, especially tea tree oil, can drive these and other pesky critters out of your house and even keep them away.

These slinky bugs get their name from their silvery to light-gray coloring and their floppy, fish-like movements. Silverfish are nocturnal and tend to prefer damp, humid areas, so you're most likely to spot them in bathrooms or basements. They eat fabric (especially if it's made of natural fibers), paper, and glue, meaning they're often found around books, along with dried foods like pasta, coffee, oats, and sugar.

One of the mistakes everyone makes when dealing with a silverfish infestation is not creating an inhospitable environment for them. In addition to removing things that attract silverfish to your home, it is important to add a few things that they hate. Tea tree oil is a natural insect repellent thanks to its antibacterial elements and a pungent odor that repels silverfish and other insects.

There are a few ways to use tea tree oil to repel silverfish. You can add 10 to 20 drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle full of water, and then spray the mixture around baseboards and entry points. Common points of entry for silverfish include gaps around windows, doors, and foundations, along with walls, vents, crawlspaces, and openings where pipes and utility lines enter your home. Although many people use tea tree oil for cleaning and repelling insects, you should avoid spraying it on granite or marble counters, upholstery, and unsealed wood. If you are concerned about discoloration or negatively affecting any surfaces, test it on a small area first.

It's good to apply tea tree oil directly to surfaces where you have seen the insects. You could also add the oil to a floor-level diffuser — follow the instructions that came with your diffuser regarding how much oil to add — and place the machine where you see silverfish. 

You can create a breathable sachet with tea tree oil by mixing a few teaspoons of filler, such as cedar shavings or dried rice, with 15 to 30 drops of essential oil in fabric scraps before tying it closed. Make enough sachets to put one in each of the hot spots of your home that silverfish inhabit. For the most effective application, pay attention to areas where these pests are commonly found, and note that silverfish may travel to a few different areas of the house.

A word of warning: Using tea tree oil to keep silverfish away may not be safe for all homes. Tea tree oil is among the many essential oils you should avoid using if you have pets — it's particularly toxic to dogs, cats, and birds. When the oil is absorbed through the skin, ingested, or inhaled, your furry family members may exhibit drooling, agitation, or signs of discomfort.