Silverfish (Lepisma saccharinum)

How to Identify Them

Silverfish are wingless with a teardrop or carrot shape, wide at the head and tapering toward the tail. They have long antennae and three long bristles at the rear end. They move quickly in short, darting bursts and are mostly active at night.

Common look-alikes:

• Firebrats: similar shape but mottled brown and gray, and prefer hot areas like water heater closets.
• House centipedes: many long legs and much faster. See house centipede.

Signs of Silverfish

• Silvery insects in tubs, sinks or under bathroom mats
• Irregular holes, notches or surface grazing on paper, book pages and wallpaper
• Yellowish stains or tiny pepper-like droppings on stored items
• Shed scales or skins in closets and boxes
• Activity in stored cardboard, especially in garages and attics

Prevention Tips

• Run bathroom fans during and after showers and use a dehumidifier where needed.
• Fix leaks under sinks and around tubs.
• Store papers, photos and keepsakes in sealed plastic bins rather than cardboard.
• Reduce clutter in closets, garages and attics.
• Seal cracks around baseboards, pipes and cabinets.
• Keep dry foods in sealed containers.

Protecting Books, Photos and Keepsakes

In South Florida, a box of old photos or school papers stored in the garage can be damaged by silverfish before anyone notices. Damage shows up as irregular holes, thinned surfaces where the coating has been grazed and yellowish stains. Move valuable papers indoors to a climate-controlled closet, store them in sealed plastic containers and add a few moisture-absorbing packets. Check stored items once or twice a year.