Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and humid environments like basements, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Diet & Feeding

Scavengers that feed on carbohydrates and protein, including starch in book bindings, wallpaper paste, cereal, silk, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and extremely fast-moving. They have a metallic silver appearance and a distinctive fish-like undulating movement. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis.

Risks & Benefits

Generally harmless to humans as they do not bite or carry disease, but they are considered domestic pests because they can cause significant damage to books, paper products, and fabrics.

Identified on: 3/7/2026