Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in moist, humid environments such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, attics, and garages. They prefer dark, damp areas.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous feeders that consume starches and polysaccharides. Their diet includes paper, book bindings, glue, clothing (especially cotton, linen, silk), wallpaper paste, and dandruff.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, they move quickly with a wiggling motion resembling a swimming fish. They are long-lived (up to 3 years) and can survive for weeks without food if water is available.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are considered household pests because they can damage property like books, wallpaper, and clothing by eating holes in them. They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to spread disease. Benefits: They act as decomposers in some environments, though this benefit is negligible indoors.

Identified on: 2/14/2026