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Are Silverfish Dangerous to Humans?

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Silverfish (Lepisma sacchrina) get their name from their coloring and their fishlike movements. They are something of a household nuisance because they are chewing insects. However, they are not dangerous to humans.

The Pesky Silverfish

Silverfish love your home. It provides them with warm nooks and crannies where they can hide out. Laundry rooms, heating pipes, fireplaces and stoves are favored locations, as silverfish like temperatures of around 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Silverfish are active mostly at night, so you're unlikely to spot them during the day. However, while you sleep, the silverfishes are foraging around your home for things to chew on. They love glue and paper, so a well-stocked bookshelf provides a rich feeding ground. In the larder, they break into bags of flour, oats and coffee, contaminating them. They can destroy rugs, drapes and linen. Silverfish reproduce readily and can live for two to eight years. If you have an infestation, you probably need to contact a pest control expert.