Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Dark, damp, and cool locations such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and attics; often found near paper, starch, or damp wood.

Diet & Feeding

Generalist scavengers that consume matter containing polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives (book bindings, wallpaper paste), paper, photos, sugar, hair, and dandruff.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and fast-moving with a fish-like swimming motion. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can live for several years, continuing to molt as adults.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite or transmit diseases but are considered household pests because they can damage books, photographs, and clothing. They may also trigger allergies in some people due to their shed scales and droppings.

Identified on: 1/14/2026