TIPs for completing do-it-yourself maintenance and repair projects from syndicated columnist Gene Austin follow.
Q. Our apartment building and some units are infested with silverfish. We tried sprays but were unsuccessful. Can you suggest a solution?
A. These pests, which resemble tiny, silvery fish with lots of legs and antennae, usually prefer dark, damp places such as basements, laundry rooms and under sinks with plumbing leaks, but they can show up almost anywhere inside or out. They feed on a wide range of starchy materials including books, papers, packing boxes, textiles, cellulose attic insulation (made from recycled newspapers) and even wallpaper paste. The bugs can cause some damage by feeding and sometimes even make holes in wallpaper to get the paste.
Control should start with keeping damp places dry by using dehumidifiers, properly venting areas such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms, and making sure there are no plumbing leaks. Clean up debris such as storage boxes and piles of magazines and newspapers to eliminate food sources.
Beyond that, silverfish control can require use of special residual insecticides that are effective for long periods, dusting or spraying suspect areas, and setting out silverfish bait in possible hiding places. A good source of sprays and other supplies to control silverfish is www.doyourownpestcontrol.com . A kit with a variety of products sells for about $46.
Questions and comments? E-mail to Gene Austin at gaus17@aol.com.