Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and cool environments with high humidity such as bathrooms, basements, and attics.

Diet & Feeding

Opportunistic feeders consuming matter rich in polysaccharides and starches, including book bindings, wallpaper paste, glue, paper, photos, sugar, hair, and dandruff.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and highly agile; they exhibit a wiggling motion similar to a fish and favor environments with 75% to 95% humidity. They have a long lifespan, typically living 2 to 8 years.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite or transmit diseases but are household pests that can damage property (paper, fabrics, and dry food). In ecosystems, they contribute to the decomposition of organic matter.

Identified on: 3/29/2026