Common Silverfish
Scientific Name: Lepisma saccharinum
Order & Family: Order: Zygentoma, Family: Lepismatidae
Size: 12–19 mm (0.5–0.75 inches) in length
Natural Habitat
Damp, dark areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, and attics with high humidity.
Diet & Feeding
Starches and polysaccharides including book bindings, carpet, clothing, glue, paper, and food crumbs.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal and fast-moving; they avoid light and prefer high-moisture environments. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis.
Risks & Benefits
They are considered household pests as they can damage property like books and clothing, but they do not bite humans or transmit diseases.
Identified on: 5/21/2026