Silverfish

Natural Habitat

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

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous feeders that consume polysaccharides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives. They eat paper, photos, book bindings, wallpaper glue, sugar, hair, dandruff, and some synthetic fibers.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and extremely fast runners. They move with a wiggling motion that resembles a swimming fish. They are long-lived (up to 8 years) and molt throughout their lives, even as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Considered pests because they can damage property (books, wallpaper, clothing) and contaminate food. Benefits: They do not bite humans or carry known diseases, and they act as decomposers in nature, though they are nuisances in homes.

Identified on: 2/16/2026