Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide, preferring dark, moist, and humid environments such as basements, bathrooms, attics, and kitchens. They often hide in cracks and crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous feeders that consume polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin. This includes glue, book bindings, paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, dandruff, and certain fabrics like cotton or linen.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive insects that move very quickly in a fish-like, wiggling motion when disturbed. They are wingless and have a long lifespan for an insect (up to 8 years). They molt throughout their lives, even as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered household pests because they damage property (books, wallpaper, clothing, stored food) and can contaminate food. They do not bite or sting humans and typically do not carry diseases. Benefits: Minimal, though they play a minor role as decomposers in nature.

Identified on: 2/16/2026