Silverfish restrict their activities to undisturbed areas such as bookcases, storage rooms, linen closets and there is to feed on paper, fabric and other materials.

They are nocturnal insects, that hide in the dark, their inability to climb smooth surfaces often results in them being trapped in bathtubs and basins. Silverfish may be found almost anywhere, they feed on most types of human food but seem to prefer starchy materials.

As well as books and fabrics, wallpapers are often damaged as silverfish are attracted to the glue or sizing that is used to attach papers to walls.