
Community identification
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharinum
- Order & Family
- Zygentoma: Lepismatidae
- Size
- 12–19 mm (0.5 to 0.75 inches)
Natural Habitat
Cool, damp, and dark environments such as basements, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist feeder consuming starches and polysaccharides such as sugar, flour, book bindings, and household adhesive.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, fast-moving, and avoids light. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis and are known for their longevity, often living 2 to 8 years.
Risks & Benefits
Primarily a household nuisance and pest as they can damage books and paper products; they are not harmful to humans or pets but can trigger allergies in some people.