Fight paper fish – which really helps against the pests

They are hardly visible in dark columns, shy away from the light and usually only appear at night or when working: small, gray, scale -covered insects, which many consider to be harmless silver fish. But if you look closely, you may discover paper fish – a less well -known but increasingly widespread way that is considered material pest in libraries, archives and private households. Unlike silver fish, which are primarily looking for moisture and prefer to stay in baths or kitchens, paperfish drier environments prefer. They affect boxes, books, documents and wallpapers and can cause damage unnoticed for years.

The animals belong to the order of the fish, but are a different way than the moisturizing silver fish. This is precisely why it is important to know the differences and take suitable measures to combat – because commercially available remedies for silver fish often remain ineffective in paper fishing.

Paper fish are similar to silver fish at first glance: both types are about a centimeter long, move waves and wear three fine tail threads at their end of their body. But paper fish are usually brighter, often slightly silvery, with a matt surface and look less glossy than their moisturizing relatives. Above all, however, they differ in behavior: while silver fish are looking for warmth and moisture, for example under bathroom tiles or behind dishwashers, paperfish temperatures between 20 and 24 degrees prefer relatively low humidity.

This makes them typical residents of bedrooms, storage rooms, archives, bookshelves or moving boxes. Your diet consists of starchy fabrics such as paper, paste, wallpaper glue, but also cotton and textiles. Your way of life is extremely hidden, which is why an infestation is often noticed late. For example, by small, jagged feeding tracks on book pages or strikingly smooth areas on cardboard surfaces.

In most cases, the animals are introduced unnoticed-for example with moving boxes, book deliveries or second-hand furniture. In contrast to cockroaches or other hygiene skulls, lack of cleanliness hardly plays a role in paper fishing. Rather, a stable, dry indoor climate with little light and numerous hiding places favors its increase. Once nested, paper fish can last for years, because they are extremely frugal, life hidden and need little food. Its reproduction takes place slowly but continuously: In the course of his life, a female lays up to a hundred eggs that are stored in cracks, behind baseboards or under furniture – places that are hardly accessible and therefore can therefore hardly be reached with normal cleaning agents.

An effective control plan initially relies on identification: If you find a single insect, you should fix it with an adhesive strip and examine or photograph with a magnifying glass. So it can be clarified whether it is a harmless silver fish or actually a paper fish. As soon as the suspicion is confirmed, systematic control begins. It is important to change the indoor climate, because paper fish require constant conditions: a change of air humidity through regular ventilation, the use of a humidifier or the targeted lowering of the room temperature can significantly slow the increase.

Special are particularly effective that are tailored to the preferences of paper fishing. Unlike classic silver fish traps that lure with sugar or strength, some products use protein or cellulose baits in connection with insecticides. Models such as the aeroxone silver fishing trap can also catch paper fish if they are placed in a suitable place – for example behind bookshelves or in boxes.

It looks even more targeted that is particularly suitable for dry interiors and distributes the active ingredient in closed areas. Anyone who has already done against paper fish and wants to monitor the infestation can be used on products like that fall back. In combination with vacuuming along the baseboards, closing joints and cracks and removing old cardboard boxes, the return of the population can be effectively prevented.

For larger or stubborn trees, the use of an insect spray is recommended, which is specifically sprayed in cracks or columns. However, one should pay attention to odorless products that do not leave any residues on surfaces. The For example, it is tested for paper fishing and can be sprayed on the back of shelves or behind skirting boards. It not only works immediately, but also leaves a effect that lasts up to six weeks, which also affects the hatched animals.

Even if the acute infestation is contained, precautionary measures remain important. Paper fish can survive for months without food and spread out of remaining eggs. Anyone who regularly cleans the bookshelves, avoids boxes of cellars or attics and ensures a variable indoor climate reduces the probability of a new settlement. Seals on doors, window joints or behind baseboards can be closed with silicone or sealing tape in order to make the retreats inaccessible. You can be particularly flexible Apply, like that from the toom’s own brand. Thorough control of used furniture or flea market finds can also help to avoid new drains.

The goal is not to create a sterile environment, but to specifically change those conditions under which paper fish can survive. If you work with a little consistency, patience and the right products, you will not only recognize the light -shy material pests, but also go again. Because even if they hide well: their preferences make them predictable.