Pest Library
Silverfish
Silverfish are teardrop-shaped, silvery-gray, wingless insects with long antennae and three tail bristles that move in a quick fish-like wriggle. They thrive in the high humidity typical of the Gulf Coast, feeding on starches — paper, book bindings, wallpaper paste, cardboard, dry goods and fabric sizing.
Profile
- Scientific name
- Lepisma saccharina
- Identification
- Flattened, tapered body with metallic gray scales, long antennae and three rear bristles.
- Typical size
- About 1/2 inch, sometimes larger.
- Behavior
- Nocturnal, avoids light, and prefers humid, undisturbed spaces. Slow to reproduce but long-lived.
- Habitat
- Bathrooms, closets, attics, wall voids, behind wallpaper, stored boxes and bookshelves.
- Diet
- Starches, paper, glue, wallpaper paste, cereals and fabric.
- Lifecycle
- Slow development over months to a year; adults can live several years.
- Why it matters
- Silverfish damage paper, books, textiles and stored goods. They do not bite and are not a health hazard.
- DIY considerations
- Humidity control is the highest-value action; products alone rarely resolve a damp attic or closet.
- Professional considerations
- Service treats voids and harborage while documenting the humidity conditions that need correction.
Signs of activity
- Silvery insects in tubs, sinks and closet floors at night
- Irregular surface grazing or holes in paper, book covers and wallpaper
- Yellowish stains and tiny fecal specks on stored paper
- Shed skins in attic or closet corners
Prevention
- Run dehumidification or ventilation in bathrooms, closets and attics
- Store documents and textiles in sealed plastic rather than cardboard
- Repair leaks and reduce condensation on plumbing
- Seal gaps around baseboards, plumbing and attic hatches
Sources
Related information
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