Silverfish
Scientific Name: Lepisma saccharina
Order & Family: Order: Zygentoma, Family: Lepismatidae
Size: Typically 12-19 mm (0.5-0.75 inches) in length.

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