Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in moist, humid areas such as basements, attics, bathrooms, and kitchens; often hides in crevices, behind baseboards, or in bookshelves.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous feeders that consume polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin found in adhesives; commonly eat paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, clothing (cotton, linen, silk), and dried foods like flour or oats.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive; they move in a characteristic wiggling motion resembling a fish swimming. They are long-lived (up to 3 years or more) and reproduce by the male depositing a spermatophore that the female picks up.

Risks & Benefits

Generally considered a nuisance pest rather than a health threat. They do not bite or spread disease to humans, but they can cause significant property damage by eating fabrics, paper goods, and contaminating food.

Identified on: 2/20/2026