Common Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and cool places indoors; often found in basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and attics.

Diet & Feeding

Carbohydrates, specifically starches and dextrin. They eat paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, cereal, and natural fibers like silk or cotton.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and fast-moving with a fish-like wiggling motion. They skip the pupal stage (hemimetabolous) and can live for several years, molting throughout their entire life.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite or transmit diseases to humans but are considered household pests because they can damage books, photos, and clothing. They also serve as a food source for other beneficial insects like house centipedes.

Identified on: 4/4/2026