Please Tell me this isn’t a species of ROACH!
Location: San Diego, Ca ??
February 22, 2011 12:23 am
I’ve seen two of these bugs around my house. One was in the pantry and this one was crawling through the living room. I promise I put them outside! Thinking he just snuck in from outdoors. They don’t seem that fast.. So my questions
1. Is this the kind of bug that would be ’infesting’ my walls?
2. What kind of bug is this?
3. How do I get rid of these guys before my partner sees one?
Signature: Please don’t tell me this is a Roach!!

Silverfish

Dear Please don’t tell me this is a Roach!!,
We will not tell you this is a Roach because it is not.  It is a Silverfish, a common household pest.  Silverfish are generally found in damp dark locations.  They will eat a variety of organic substances in the house including the starch used to hang wallpaper and in book bindings as well as typical food items.  They are difficult to eradicate once they have become established.  They may be in your walls.  We do not offer extermination advice, however, some of our advertisers are in the exterminating business.

Bug in Apartment
Location: Central North Carolina, USA
February 12, 2011 1:39 pm
I see a lot of these bugs in my apartment. What are they? Are they roaches? How can I get rid of them and prevent them from coming back? Thanks!
Signature: HB

Silverfish

Dear HB,
This is a Silverfish, and it is a common household pest.  Judging by the number of recent identification requests we have received, they might be becoming more common.  Silverfish are reported to be very difficult to eradicate, and we do not give extermination advice.

Some guy by the shower
Location: Chicago IL, USA
January 4, 2011 8:12 pm
Hello, my wife and I just moved into a new apartment and I found this guy hanging out by the shower. He looked alright, not too mean or anything. I’d say he’s about 3/4” in length… and pretty light. dark up by the head, then fading out to silver/off white maybe. Found another one of the same type of bug, almost exactly, in the exact same spot, right along the wall by the shower yesterday. As much as I want to be friends with them, any advice you could give to help them from coming back would be helpful. Judging by the photo, that trim could use some help too. Thank you.
Signature: Jeremy

Silverfish

Hi Jeremy,
This is a Silverfish, a common household pest that will feed on a wide variety of items in the home.  They are difficult to eradicate.

Hey Daniel/WTB folks,
Thanks a ton for this. You’d think I would have put 2 and 2 together since I specifically called out silver in my description… but no. Great site by the way, I’ve always been interested in insects and probably spent a good hour reading through 12 pages today at work just for fun.
Thanks again!

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My Roomates
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
December 18, 2010 10:00 am
shortly after I moved in I began seeing these guys around my apartment, I’ve seen them in the light shades on the ceiing, the bathtub, dresser drawers and once I found one in my sheets! Their number isn’t scary enough to alarm me and I haven’t experienced any bites or anything like that, but I’m curious why I have so many non rent paying dwellers.
They seem to almost disintegrate when squished. this could be a very obvious response, but I haven’t met anyone who could tell me what they are.. and if I should be worried.
Thanks in advance,
Signature: Lady Sharing Her Apartment

Silverfish

Hey Lady,
You have Silverfish, a common household pest that can be very difficult to eliminate.  They eat a wide variety of foods, including the starch in book bindings and in wallpaper glue.  If your apartment has wallpaper, they are most likely feeding on the glue as well as stray food they might find.

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