Latin name: Zygentoma (order – commonly Lepisma saccharina)
Silverfish are common household pests found throughout Australia and are frequently encountered in homes, commercial buildings, and strata properties. They thrive in dark, humid environments and are often seen in bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and storage areas.
Silverfish are scavenging insects that feed on carbohydrates and starchy materials. Their diet includes paper, glue, cardboard, book bindings, fabrics, and food residues, making them a nuisance pest in both living and storage spaces.
Silverfish are active year-round indoors. In Western Australia, warm temperatures combined with moisture from bathrooms, plumbing, and condensation create ideal conditions for silverfish populations to persist and spread.
Lifecycle
The silverfish lifecycle consists of egg, nymph, and adult stages and can take several months to complete.
- Eggs are laid in small cracks, crevices, and hidden spaces
- Nymphs hatch and resemble miniature adults
- Nymphs moult multiple times as they grow
- Adults continue to moult throughout their lives
Silverfish can live for several years and reproduce slowly but steadily under favourable conditions.
Identification
- Slender, flattened body measuring 10–15 mm long
- Silvery-grey colour with a metallic sheen
- Wingless with a carrot-shaped body
- Long antennae and three bristle-like tail filaments
- Fast-moving and often seen darting across floors when disturbed
Silverfish prefer dark environments and are usually noticed at night.
Damage
Silverfish do not bite but can cause damage to household and stored items.
- Damage to books, paper, photographs, and documents
- Irregular holes or surface scraping on cardboard and wallpaper
- Feeding on fabrics, particularly those containing starch or glue
- Contamination of stored food products
- Ongoing nuisance in bathrooms, cupboards, and storage areas
Infestations often indicate underlying moisture or humidity issues.
