Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Moist, humid, and dark areas in homes such as basements, attics, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on starches and dextrin in adhesives, including book bindings, wallpaper paste, and paper, as well as sugars and carbohydrates in pantry items.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and extremely fast-moving. They have a metallic appearance and fish-like movement. They undergo hemimetabolous metamorphosis (gradual change) and can live for several years.

Risks & Benefits

They are nuisance pests that can damage household property like books, clothing, and stored food. They do not transmit diseases to humans but can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Identified on: 12/28/2025