Silverfish

Scientific Name: Lepisma saccharina

Order & Family: Order: Zygentoma, Family: Lepismatidae

Size: Typically 12-19 mm (0.5-0.75 inches) in length.

Silverfish

Natural Habitat

Silverfish thrive in damp, dark, and cool environments. Indoors, they are commonly found in bathrooms, basements, attics, kitchens, and laundry rooms. Outdoors, they may live under rocks, bark, leaf litter, or in bird nests.

Diet & Feeding

Silverfish are scavengers and feed on carbohydrates, particularly starches and dextrin. Common food sources include paper, glue, books, photographs, sugar, hair, dandruff, and sometimes even synthetic fibers and dried foods.

Behavior Patterns

Silverfish are nocturnal and prefer dark, humid places. They are fast runners and can be found scurrying away when disturbed. They undergo ametabolous metamorphosis, meaning they continue to molt throughout their lifespan, even as adults.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include property damage from feeding on paper, books, and clothing. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to humans. Benefits are negligible in an indoor setting, though they are part of the natural detritus decomposition process in outdoor environments.

Identified on: 8/19/2025