Sorting through the boxes of books that I don’t have room for, dusting them, and putting them back in their cardboard boxes. They have lasted the ten years in the shed quite well, but are now going to go up (probably for another ten years) into the attic, which should be a little drier. They appear to have quite a few silverfish running about, though less than I would have thought. Is there any simple way to keep them away from my books? Please don’t reccommend brands as we probably don’t have them, I am more looking for home remedies like “ah, yeah, a bayleaf between each book will keep them out” or “throw a handful of cloves in every box” or something. Obviously said something shouldn’t damage the books, most of which are about 30 years old all ready. Quick answers appreciated as they are sitting out in the garden as we speak!
SHAKES FINGER shame on you for putting the books in the shed.
A couple large cedar chips should work. or Moth Balls. each repell silverfish quite well in my experience. why not place them in a plastic garbage bag loosly tied…or on display? any reason they shouldn’t be on display?
Can you get any formulation of boric acid, where you are? That’s the active ingredient in commercial “silverfish packs” (which as far as I can tell are 20% boric acid, mixed with 80% inert powders, in little paper pouches). Powders sold here for cockroaches, ants, and silverfish" are also boric acid-based.
Or you might also try little sticky trap-tents like those used for roaches or pantry moths. They’re basically just little open-ended triangular tubes with sticky insides. You might be able to make something like that with some cardboard and double-stick tape.
http://www.hometrendscatalog.com/ - search on “silverfish” to see the products I’ve mentioned. I don’t know whether that company will ship to Sweden or not.