Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, cool, and dark locations such as bathrooms, basements, kitchens, and attics. They prefer environments with high humidity (75% to 95%).

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic feeders that consume starch and polysaccharides. This includes paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, glue, sugar, clothes, and dandruff. They can also survive on household dust and debris.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and extremely fast runners. They have a distinctive 'fish-like' wiggle when they move. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis (gradual change) and can live for several years, molting throughout their entire life.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans. However, they are considered structural pests because they can damage books, photographs, and natural fabrics. They are more of a nuisance or an indicator of high humidity/moisture issues in a home.

Identified on: 3/10/2026