Do Silverfish Eat Paper, Fabrics, or Photos?

 

Yes, silverfish eat paper, fabrics, and photos. These small, wingless insects are especially attracted to materials that contain starch, glue, or sugars, which are commonly found in paper products, certain fabric types, and photographic items. Silverfish damage these items by scraping or chewing through them as they feed, often leaving irregular holes, yellow stains, or surface etching.

 

Why Silverfish Eat These Materials

 

Silverfish are nocturnal insects that seek out dark, damp places like basements, bathrooms, and attics. They require food sources that supply them with carbohydrates and proteins. Many everyday household materials, including paper, fabric, and photos, contain:

• Starch: Used as a sizing (a kind of finishing agent) in paper, book bindings, wallpaper, and some clothing fabrics.
• Polysaccharides: These are complex sugars found in glue (such as those holding book bindings together), cardboard, and photo backings.
• Proteins and cellulose: Present in natural fibers like cotton, linen (used in some clothes and older papers), and certain types of photo paper.

Silverfish digest these substances by breaking them down with special enzymes in their saliva.

 

What Types of Damage Can You Expect?

 

The damage silverfish cause is usually seen as:

• Thin, irregular holes or notches along the edges of paper, books, wallpaper, and photos.
• Tiny, sometimes yellowish stains left by their droppings or as a result of their feeding.
• Worn spots or fraying on natural fabrics, such as linen, silk, rayon, and cotton.
• Pitting or etching on glossy photo surfaces where glue or starch-based coatings are present.

Silverfish tend to feed slowly but persistently. Given enough time, they can cause significant damage to cherished books, important documents, valuable photographs, stored clothing, and wallpaper.

 

What Items Are Most at Risk?

 

Silverfish seek and feed on a range of items, including:

• Books (especially old, stored books with glue bindings)
• Papers and documents (office files, loose leaf sheets, stored archives)
• Magazines and newspapers
• Photo albums and individual photographs
• Stored fabrics and clothing (especially if made from natural fibers)
• Wallpaper and cardboard boxes
• Starch-sized canvas, art paper, or scrapbooks

Items stored in warm, humid areas and rarely disturbed are especially vulnerable.

 

How to Prevent Silverfish From Eating These Materials

 

To protect your possessions from silverfish, focus on:

• Controlling humidity: Use dehumidifiers and ensure good air circulation in storage areas, as silverfish thrive in moist environments.
• Storing vulnerable items securely: Use airtight plastic containers or sealed storage tubs for documents, photographs, and fabrics.
• Cleaning regularly: Vacuum and dust often, especially in corners, closets, bookshelves, and behind furniture, to remove food sources and eggs.
• Sealing cracks and gaps: Prevent silverfish from entering by caulking holes and gaps around baseboards, windows, and doors.
• Removing food sources: Avoid leaving paper, cardboard, or dirty laundry sitting out in damp areas.

 

Summary

 

Silverfish definitely eat paper, fabrics, and photos, targeting materials with starch, glue, or natural fibers. Their feeding creates holes, stains, and frayed edges, threatening books, important documents, photographs, wallpaper, and some types of clothing. Protection comes from reducing humidity, using secure storage, regular cleaning, and sealing entry points to keep these persistent pests out.