Home Remedies – Live Laugh Love Do http://livelaughlovedo.com A Super Fun Site Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:10:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 The Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Silverfish http://livelaughlovedo.com/hobbies-and-crafts/the-most-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-silverfish/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/hobbies-and-crafts/the-most-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-silverfish/#respond Sat, 04 Oct 2025 16:46:23 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/10/04/the-most-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-silverfish/ [ad_1]

You’re tidying up a rarely opened closet, pulling out a stack of old books or a long-forgotten sweater, when a small, silvery bug darts across the floor. Meet the silverfish—these quick-moving insects thrive in dark, humid corners of the home, and while they don’t bite, their presence is, well, gross and their feeding habits can damage your belongings.

Here’s everything you need to know about identifying, preventing, and getting rid of them for good.

How to Spot a Silverfish Problem

The first sign is often visual. “Homeowners often detect silverfish when they find one on the floor or in a sink or bathtub,” shares pest control expert Jeremy Christopherson of Truly Nolen Pest Control in Tucson, Ariz.

Since they are especially attracted to paper and damp clothing and are commonly found in storage boxes in garages and sheds, “if you suspect an infestation, start by inspecting boxes, bags, or closets where papers and fabrics have been stored for long periods,” suggests Christopherson. “Damage caused by their feeding can also indicate the presence of silverfish, along with their tiny pepper-like feces.”

How to Get Rid of Silverfish

“Addressing a silverfish infestation requires the treatment of both adult silverfish and their harborage,” explains Christopherson. And acting fast is key to success. “These insects reproduce very quickly,” he notes. “Depending on the species, one female silverfish can produce anywhere from one to three eggs each day. And since each individual can live as much as two years, it is extremely important to address an infestation swiftly and in its entirety.”

Follow these steps to help control and eradicate a silverfish problem in your home.

  1. Install Dehumidifiers and Fans: “The silverfish bug prefers to live in moist, humid places and need high humidity levels to survive, typically between 75 and 95 percent,” says Christopherson. That makes controlling dampness in your home one of the most effective prevention and elimination strategies. Running dehumidifiers and fans is an excellent first step, especially in basements, crawl spaces, or areas where books are stored.
  2. Ventilate Properly: “Low humidity levels can actually delay or stop silverfish eggs from hatching,” says Christopherson. Open vents in crawl spaces and ensure good airflow throughout the home.
  3. Repair Leaks: Fix plumbing drips, roof leaks, or condensation issues quickly, since water sources invite pests. “If you have a leaky roof or a damp place in your home where mold can grow, the mold can become a food source for these bugs,” adds Christopherson.
  4. Seal Entry Points: Silverfish often nest in dark, damp cracks and crevices. Identify where they’re coming from to target your efforts and use caulking to seal up entry points.

  5. Vacuum Thoroughly: Pay attention to baseboards, floorboards, and shelves where eggs might be hiding. Dispose of the vacuum bag immediately.
  6. Declutter: Remove old books, newspapers, and magazines that may become feeding sites. “For items that may already have a problem—like books with evidence of silverfish—you can place them in a sealable plastic bag and freeze them for several days to kill any bugs or eggs,” Christopherson says.
  7. Use Traps If Needed: Sticky traps designed for silverfish can help monitor the problem and reduce their numbers.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the pros! For severe infestations, pest control experts can provide treatments that eliminate both adults and eggs more effectively.

Silverfish Prevention Tips

“Stringent sanitation and housekeeping practices may help prevent an infestation by limiting potential feeding sites,” says Christopherson. So think of good housekeeping as your first line of defense. “Vacuum regularly and clean up spilled food or drink immediately,” he instructs. Keeping storage areas tidy can go a long way toward deterring them, too. “Clean closets on a regular basis to help remove harborage areas.”

Check secondhand books, fabrics, or boxes for signs of infestation before bringing them into your home—and be sure to store them properly once you do. “If books or fabrics will be in storage, store these items in sealed plastic containers,” says Christopherson.

With these strategies, you can reclaim your closets, bookshelves, and storage spaces from these unwelcome guests and keep your home fresh, organized, and pest-free.

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]]> http://livelaughlovedo.com/hobbies-and-crafts/the-most-effective-ways-to-get-rid-of-silverfish/feed/ 0 2-Ingredient DIY Bathroom Freshener http://livelaughlovedo.com/sustainable-living/gotta-go-spray-this-2-ingredient-diy-bathroom-freshener-first/ http://livelaughlovedo.com/sustainable-living/gotta-go-spray-this-2-ingredient-diy-bathroom-freshener-first/#respond Wed, 06 Aug 2025 08:23:57 +0000 http://livelaughlovedo.com/2025/08/06/gotta-go-spray-this-2-ingredient-diy-bathroom-freshener-first/ [ad_1]

Gotta Go? Spray This 2-Ingredient DIY Bathroom Freshener First

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—or rather, the smell in the bathroom.

At 62, I’ve hosted enough holiday dinners to know that one extra helping of stuffing (or that cheese board nobody can resist) turns my cozy home into a potential biohazard zone. Last Christmas Eve, my son-in-law disappeared for twenty minutes after the prime rib. When he came back, the look on his face said it all. We all pretended nothing happened, but the air told a different story.

That was the last straw. I marched to my kitchen cabinet, whipped up a batch of this 2-ingredient miracle spray, stuck one in every bathroom, and handed mini bottles out as “party favors.” Zero awkward moments since. Guests now fight over who gets to keep the bottle.

The commercial stuff costs $10–15 for a tiny bottle full of mystery chemicals. Mine costs about 75 cents per bottle and works better. The secret?

Witch hazel + essential oils.

That’s it. Two ingredients. No dish soap, no vodka, no glycerin, no 10-step Pinterest nonsense. Just these two, and your bathroom smells like a spa instead of a crime scene.

DIY Poo-Pourri Toilet Spray – Jessica Welling Interiors

Why This Actually Works (Unlike Every Candle You’ve Ever Bought)

Commercial air fresheners just add perfume on top of the stink. This spray stops the smell before it starts.

Here’s the magic: Essential oils are lighter than water but hydrophobic (they hate water). When you spray them on the toilet water, they spread out and form a thin barrier film on the surface. Anything that happens underneath gets trapped below that film. The smell never escapes into the air.

Witch hazel acts as the perfect carrier—it’s mostly water with just enough natural alcohol to help the oils disperse evenly without separating in five minutes. Plus, witch hazel is anti-inflammatory and soothing (bonus for your skin if you ever use it as toner).

No chemicals. No aerosol. Safe for septic systems. And it legitimately works—I’ve tested it after chili night. Trust me.

Non-Toxic DIY “Poo-Pourri” & Stinky Spray • The Crunchy Ginger

My Exact 2-Ingredient Recipe (Makes 4 oz — About 400 Sprays)

You need:

  • 4 oz amber glass spray bottle (these protect the oils from light — I buy them in 6-packs)
  • Thayers unscented witch hazel (the exact one I use — alcohol-free version, currently 20 % off)
  • Essential oils (I use Plant Therapy — kid-safe, pure, and affordable)

Instructions (takes 2 minutes):

  1. Fill the bottle almost to the top with witch hazel (leave room to shake).
  2. Add 30–40 drops total essential oils (my signature blend below).
  3. Screw on the sprayer, shake like you mean it.
  4. Optional: Add a cute label that says “Spray Before You Go 😉” (I’ll send you my free printable if you comment “BATHROOM SPRAY”).

To use: Shake bottle, spray 4–6 times directly into the toilet water BEFORE you sit down. Done.

My 4 Favorite Blends (All Smell Expensive, None Smell Like Toilet)

  1. Signature Fresh (my everyday) 20 drops peppermint + 10 drops lemon + 10 drops lavender Smells like a high-end hotel spa.
  2. Holiday House (current seasonal obsession) 15 drops orange + 10 drops cinnamon + 10 drops clove + 5 drops vanilla Literally makes your bathroom smell like Christmas morning.
  3. Citrus Bomb (for heavy-hitting days) 20 drops lemon + 10 drops grapefruit + 10 drops bergamot Nuclear-level fresh.
  4. Calm & Clean (guest bathroom favorite) 20 drops lavender + 15 drops eucalyptus + 5 drops tea tree Sophisticated and slightly medicinal in the best way.
How to Make DIY Room Spray With Essential Oils

Current Bathroom Situation at 62

I keep one full-size bottle on each toilet tank and a 2 oz travel bottle in my purse (because public restrooms are a war crime).

My husband now uses it without being asked (miracle). Guests sneak photos of the bottle to copy the recipe. My daughter-in-law texted me after hosting her in-laws: “Mom, your spray saved my marriage.”

Zero embarrassing moments in 3 years. That’s the real flex.

Shower Caddy Plant Display Hack | Apartment Therapy

The Part That Makes People Squirm

We all poop. Yes, even you, perfect Instagram lady. Stop spending $15 on tiny bottles of chemicals and pretending Febreze fixes biology.

Make this tonight. Put one in every bathroom before your next gathering. Watch how many compliments you get on how “fresh” your house smells.

Because nothing says “merry Christmas” like letting Uncle Bob destroy the bathroom in peace.

Love always, Do ✨

P.S. Want my printable labels + exact shopping list with my affiliate links (the bottles, witch hazel, and oil set I actually buy in bulk)? Comment “BATHROOM MAGIC” below and I’ll DM you everything. I’ll even throw in the holiday blend ratios.

Related on LiveLaughLoveDo: → Want To Get The Most Benefits From Turmeric? Always Pair It With This (because holiday eating is brutal) → 12 Last-Minute Thanksgiving Sides That Don’t Feel Last-Minute → How Sleep Support Has Improved My Sleep (magnesium + this spray = teenage sleep again) → The Ultimate Travel Guide to Italy for First-Timers (I never travel without a mini bottle) → Black Friday Cold Plunge Deals (for when you need to recover from all that food)

Let’s keep it fresh, ladies. ✨

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