Warning! If you have found this insect (silverfish) in your home, it’s a sign that you need to…see more…

Let’s start with the basics.
Silverfish are tiny, wingless insects that have existed for millions of years. Literally. Fossil records show they’ve been around for over 300 million years—meaning they were scuttling across the earth long before dinosaurs ever showed up. They’ve survived ice ages, mass extinctions, and probably your great-grandmother’s pantry.Their scientific name is Lepisma saccharina, and they belong to an ancient group of insects called Zygentoma. They’re called silverfish because of their metallic, silvery-blue color and their fish-like, wiggling movement.

Quick Facts:
Size: About ½ to 1 inch long (12-25 mm)

Color: Silvery-gray to metallic blue

Shape: Tapered, carrot-shaped body with three long bristles at the rear

Movement: Fast, darting, and wiggly—they move like fish swimming

Wings: None—they don’t fly

Diet: Carbohydrates, sugars, starches, and cellulose

Lifespan: 2-8 years (yes, years!)