The silverfish is a small, soft insect without wings. The abdomen has three filaments extending from it. The silverfish is about 1/2 to 1 inch long, they are brown or silver-gray. It is nocturnal and can run very swiftly. Occasionally, they are found in bathtubs. They crawl in seeking food or moisture and can't climb out.

These insects prefer vegetable matter with a high carbohydrate and protein content. However, indoors they will feed on almost anything. A partial list includes dried beef, flour, starch, paper, gum, glue, cotton, linen, rayon, silk, sugar, molds and breakfast cereals. Adults lay egges in small groups containing a few to 50 eggs. The eggs are very small and deposited in cracks and crevices. A female normally lays less than 100 eggs during her lifespan of two to eight years. Under ideal conditions, the eggs hatch in two weeks, but may take up to two months to hatch. The young nymphs are very much like the adults except for size.

Silverfish are throughout the Northwest mostly noted in industrial/commercial/institutional/apartment complex environments. Rarely do we see silverfish within residential situations as most homes do not have an environment to support them.

Interesting Fact: Silverfish can live for up to one year without food.