Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Found worldwide in moist, humid, and dark environments such as basements, bathrooms, attics, and kitchens. They often hide in cracks, under carpets, or behind wallpaper.

Diet & Feeding

Polyphagous scavengers that consume carbohydrates and proteins. Their diet includes paper, glue, book bindings, sugar, coffee, cotton, linen, silk, and dead insects.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal and elusive, they move quickly in a wiggling motion (resembling a swimming fish) when disturbed. They are long-lived insects that molt throughout their lives.

Risks & Benefits

They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans. However, they are considered household pests because they can damage property such as books, important documents, wallpaper, and clothing by eating the starch or fibers.

Identified on: 2/12/2026