Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide, preferring dark, damp, and humid areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and laundry rooms. They often hide in cracks and crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous scavengers that feed on carbohydrates and proteins. Their diet includes paper, book bindings, glue, clothing (cotton, linen, silk), wallpaper paste, sugar, dandruff, and dried meats.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, they move quickly with a fish-like wiggling motion when disturbed. They are long-lived (up to 8 years) and can survive for months without food.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered household pests because they can damage property like books, wallpaper, and clothing. They can contaminate food but do not transmit diseases or bite humans. Benefits: Generally minimal, though they act as decomposers in nature.

Identified on: 2/25/2026