
Community identification
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharinum
- Order & Family
- Order Zygentoma, Family Lepismatidae
- Size
- 12 to 19 mm (0.5 to 0.75 inches) in length.
Natural Habitat
Damp, cool, and dark environments such as basements, attics, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Diet & Feeding
Starch and dextrin in adhesives, paper, book bindings, plaster, and some synthetic fabrics; they also eat high-protein foods like dried meat or dead insects.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and move with a characteristic fish-like swimming motion; they have a long lifespan for insects (up to 8 years) and undergo ametabolous metamorphosis (young look like small adults).
Risks & Benefits
They are nuisance pests that can damage household goods (books, wallpaper, clothing); however, they are harmless to humans as they do not bite or transmit diseases.