How to Identify a Silverfish

If you suspect silverfish may be a problem, check the dark areas of your home. Silverfish especially love dark damp places, like sinks, showers and baths. If you don't find any there, check other dark areas of your home like garages, basements, closets and underneath beds and couches. Anywhere you can think of that's dark in your home is a potential hiding place for a silverfish.

Once you've found an insect you suspect might be a silverfish, pull out your flashlight and a magnifying glass to check.

Check its size to determine if it's a silverfish. Silverfish are wingless insects that normally measure somewhere between 1/2-inch and 1-inch in length.

The second characteristic to check for is the antennae and tail. A silverfish has particularly long and obvious antennae that are typically at least half the length of its body. It also has three feelers near the tail region of the body that point straight out and to the sides.

Adult silverfish develop scales often with a silvery, blue color. It's the reason for the first part of their name. The "fish" part of the name comes from the way they move, like a fish out of water. Watch for both movement and color in the insect you're trying to identify.