Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and cool areas; commonly found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and attics.

Diet & Feeding

Starchy substances and polysaccharides, including book bindings, carpet, clothing, coffee, dandruff, glue, hair, some paints, paper, photos, sugar, and wallpaper.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and incredibly fast runners. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis (egg, nymph, adult) and can live for several years.

Risks & Benefits

They are considered a household pest due to their consumption and destruction of property. They pose no direct health risk or disease transmission to humans, but can trigger allergies in some people.

Identified on: 2/13/2026