Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Typically found in dark, moist, and humid environments within homes, such as bathrooms, basements, attics, and kitchens. They also live outdoors under rocks and leaf litter.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on carbohydrates and starches. Their diet includes paper, glue (in book bindings), clothing (cotton, linen, silk), sugar, flour, rolled oats, and sometimes dead insects or fungi.

Behavior Patterns

Silverfish are nocturnal and move very quickly with a wiggle that resembles a swimming fish. They are long-lived insects that can survive for weeks without food. They do not undergo metamorphosis but shed their skin throughout their adult lives.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: They are considered household pests because they can damage property like books, wallpaper, and clothing by eating the starch or sizing. They do not bite or sting humans and are not known to act as vectors for disease. Benefits: They act as decomposers in nature.

Identified on: 2/25/2026