PestDex Details
Silverfish
Lepisma saccharina
crawler
Moisture-loving wingless insect that damages paper, fabric, and starches.
How to Identify
- •Silver-gray, ½ inch, teardrop-shaped
- •Three long tail filaments
- •Wriggling, fish-like movement
- •Scales that rub off when touched
Where Found
Bathrooms, basements, attics with moisture. Feeds on paper, glue, fabric, cardboard. Old DC/Baltimore homes with humidity issues see persistent populations.
Seasonality
Year-round indoors. Reproduce year-round in favorable conditions.
Health & Property Risk
Damages books, wallpaper, photos, clothing, and stored papers. Eats starch in book bindings and wallpaper paste. No health threat.
Prevention Tips
- •Reduce humidity below 50% with dehumidifier
- •Fix leaks and improve ventilation
- •Store papers and clothing in sealed plastic bins
- •Vacuum regularly
- •Seal cracks where they hide during day
Treatment Notes
Residual insecticide in cracks and voids. Desiccant dust (diatomaceous earth) in hidden areas. Address moisture — they won't survive in dry conditions.