
Community identification
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina
- Order & Family
- Order: Zygentoma, Family: Lepismatidae
- Size
- 13 to 25 mm (0.5 to 1.0 inch) in length
Natural Habitat
Dark, damp, and humid areas such as bathrooms, basements, attics, and kitchens.
Diet & Feeding
Carbohydrates and proteins, including paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, photos, sugar, hair, dandruff, and clothing fabrics like cotton and silk.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal, fast-running, wingless insects that avoid light and are capable of living for several months without food.
Risks & Benefits
They do not bite or transmit diseases, but can become household pests by damaging books, paper goods, stored food, and fabrics.