Silverfish grow through a process called gradual metamorphosis, passing through three main stages:
- Egg: Females lay tiny, oval, white eggs in moist cracks and crevices.
- Nymph: Hatchlings resemble smaller, lighter-colored adults. They molt several times, shedding their outer skin and growing larger with each molt.
- Adult: After multiple nymphal stages, silverfish reach adulthood at about 1/2 to 1 inch long. They are silvery-gray with flattened, elongated bodies and continue molting occasionally throughout life.
Silverfish feed on paper, fabrics, food, and other organic materials. They prefer dark, moist environments like basements, attics, and bathrooms. They typically live around 2 years but can live longer under favorable conditions.