Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Warm, humid environments; commonly found indoors in dark, damp areas like bathrooms, basements, kitchens, attics, and inside books or cardboard boxes.

Diet & Feeding

Carbohydrates and starches; they consume paper, photos, book bindings, glue, wallpaper paste, clothing (cotton, linen, silk), and dry food items like sugar and flour.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they move quickly with a distinctive fish-like wiggling motion. They shun light and can survive for long periods without food.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered a household pest because they can damage property (books, wallpaper, clothes) and contaminate food. Benefits: They are scavengers that help break down organic matter in the wild, though this benefit is negligible in homes. They do not bite or spread disease to humans.

Identified on: 2/25/2026