Silverfish (specifically a young nymph or scale)
Scientific Name: Lepisma saccharina
Order & Family: Order: Zygentoma, Family: Lepismatidae
Size: Adults range from 12-19 mm (0.5 to 0.75 inches); early instars (nymphs) like the one pictured are significantly smaller, often just a few millimeters.
Natural Habitat
Silverfish prefer dark, damp, and humid environments. Common indoor locations include bathrooms, basements, attics, kitchens, and laundry rooms. They are often found near paper, glue, or fabrics.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on carbohydrates and starches, including paper, book bindings, glue, wallpaper paste, clothing (esp. cotton, linen, silk), cereals, and dried meats. They can also eat dead insects and mold.
Behavior Patterns
Silverfish are nocturnal and move quickly with a wiggling motion similar to a fish. They avoid light and hide in cracks and crevices during the day. They molt throughout their lives, even as adults.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are considered household pests because they can damage property (books, wallpaper, clothing, stored food). They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to carry diseases. Benefits: Minimal, though they do help decompose organic matter in wild settings.
Identified on: 2/25/2026