Is it a silverfish?
The silverfish is a small, wingless insect commonly found in damp, dark areas of homes such as bathrooms and basements.
CC0 photograph via iNaturalist (research-grade identification)
whichbug identifies insects from what you can see. It does not identify bites and has no health information.
What to look for
| Size | 10-20 mm |
|---|---|
| Colour | silvery-grey to bronze with a metallic sheen |
| Shape | carrot-shaped, tapering towards the tail with three long tail-like appendages |
| Wings | absent |
| Antennae | long, thread-like, and prominent |
| Movement | rapid, fish-like wriggling motion |
Where you'll find them
bathroomskitchensbasementsatticsbookshelvesfabric pest
feeds on starchy materials, glues, and paper products causing cosmetic damage to books and textiles.
Season: year-round in heated homes, most active in humid conditions
Signs it's around
- small yellowish stains on paper or fabric
- irregular feeding marks on book bindings
- tiny black pepper-like droppings
- shed exoskeletons (casings)
Not sure? The lookalikes
| vs firebrat | firebrats have a mottled, darker pattern and prefer warmer, drier locations like near heaters |
| vs earwig | earwigs have prominent pincers (cerci) at the rear and a flatter, more segmented body |
| vs house centipede | house centipedes have many long, spindly legs and a distinctly segmented body, unlike the smooth silverfish |
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