They have a distinctive carrot-like form, long and slender, broader at the front end and gradually tapering to the rear. The fringe comes from the silver hair-like scales scattered over the body and the tail is made up of three posterior filaments. All silverfish are vegetable eaters, some are subterranean or live in caves, and others are found in ant and termite nests.
Most species remain hidden under bark or in leaf litter and require relatively high humidity.
The common species in domestic situations feed on starchy materials and may be able to withstand considerable drying. Identification Common Silverfish Uniformly silver to slate gray, up to 10mm in length. These silverfish are a common pest in homes, libraries and museums where they eat paper, fabrics, and get into cereals. They have mandibles that can remove the sizing of paper in books, and magazines, damaging etchings and prints. They nibble on bookbindings and feed on the glue and paste in the binding.