Do Silverfish Damage Books?
WouterIf you have been keeping an eye out for silverfish, you might be wondering, “Do silverfish damage books?” While they aren’t the most intelligent insects, they’re a nuisance, and can cause a lot of damage to paper-based items.
Silverfish have a range of eating preferences, from starches and glue to dry foods and carpet fuzz. They also enjoy chewing on paper and can leave a number of telltale signs on pages, such as holes and yellow stains.
It’s not uncommon to find silverfish eating your papers, but they are not a health threat. They can be prevented by storing your books in airtight containers and by regularly cleaning them.
You can also use natural methods to get rid of silverfish. In the simplest of terms, you can use boric acid, which destroys the silverfish exoskeleton. Alternatively, you can spray limonene, which is a known silverfish deterrent.
For books that have been damaged, you should place them in plastic tubs with lids. This will help to prevent further damage.
Another method is to apply fine dust to the infested areas with a plastic squeeze bottle. This should be a safe and effective method, but you will need to make sure that you don’t use a synthetic insecticide.
Putting a glass jar on top of the books or on the shelves around the books will keep the silverfish busy. Place masking tape over the jar to prevent the silverfish from getting out.
