What Are Silverfish? (And Why Do I Have Them?)
Silverfish are small, wingless insects that usually only reach about ¾” in length. They have flat bodies, skinny legs, long antennae, and silver coloration on their backs. Their name comes from this color paired with their fish-like movements.
In the right conditions, they can live for up to three years. But what are the right conditions? Silverfish are one of the least picky pests in Georgia in terms of their dietary preferences. They will eat cellulose in any available form, whether that be in wooden furniture, paper, or your home’s structure. Silverfish eat clothing, curtains, and wallpaper. They also consume starch, glue, and materials found in paper products.
Once in your house, they will search for food. They might snack on paper, carpet, clothing, paint, glue, hair, dead insects, and even their own exoskeletons. And that’s no exaggeration! If you see bugs like this in your bathroom, under the sink, in crawl spaces, or in the basement, you have a silverfish infestation.

