Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Warm, humid environments indoors, such as bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and attics. They prefer dark places.

Diet & Feeding

Carbohydrates such as sugar and starches. They feed on paper, glue, clothing (cotton, linen, silk), wallpaper paste, and dry food items like oats or flour.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, moving with a wiggling motion that resembles a fish swimming. They reproduce quickly and can survive long periods without food.

Risks & Benefits

They are nuisance pests rather than a direct health threat; they do not bite or carry disease. However, they can cause significant damage to books, documents, wallpaper, and clothing. They are food sources for other predators like spiders.

Identified on: 3/2/2026