MadSci Network: General Biology
Query:

Re: Do silverfish bite humans? Can they carry disease?

Date: Thu Aug 19 01:09:11 1999
Posted By: Richard Kingsley, Science teacher
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 933173399.Gb
Message:

Hi Patrick

Silverfish are quite harmless. They cannot pierce human skin and to the best of my knowledge they do not pass human diseases. They eat food of vegetable origin. They could become a nuisance were they to attack your cereals, books or your clothes. I have always lived in places that had silverfish, but I have never seen any damage done by them. In order for them to damage your clothes you would have to keep your garments in a very moist environment which is their preference. Hence, you tend to see them in the kitchen and the bathroom. If you have only seen a few in your abode then I think it is safe to say that you can ignore them.

Richard Kingsley


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