Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found indoors in dark, moist, and humid environments such as bathrooms, basements, attics, and kitchens. They often hide in cracks, under carpets, or behind wallpaper.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous scavengers that feed on carbohydrates and proteins. This includes paper, glue, book bindings, sugar, starch, photos, dandruff, and sometimes cotton or dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Silverfish are nocturnal and photophobic (avoid light). They move very quickly in a fish-like wiggling motion. They are hardy survivors that can live for a year or more without food.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite humans or transmit diseases. However, they are significant household pests due to their destructive feeding habits, which can ruin books, wallpaper, important documents, and contaminate starchy foods.

Identified on: 2/25/2026