Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, cool, and dark interior spaces such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and attics. They prefer environments with 75% to 95% humidity.

Diet & Feeding

Known for eating substances containing polysaccharides (starch or cellulose), including book bindings, carpet, clothing, glue, paper, photos, sugar, hair, and dandruff.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and fast-moving insects with a distinctive wiggle that resembles a swimming fish. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis and can live up to eight years.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered household pests as they can damage property like books and wallpaper. They are medically harmless to humans but can attract other predators like centipedes and spiders.

Identified on: 3/17/2026