Featured
The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
Call Us
Licensed Technician
Spotting a creepy crawler in your basement or bathroom can be unsettling. Homeowners often wonder “centipede vs silverfish” and how to handle each. Thankfully, a few simple clues help you tell them apart and pick the right fix.
I’m part of a third-generation, family owned business serving the DMV for over 50 years. As a licensed technician for four years, I’ve tackled countless centipede and silverfish issues. I’ll pull from that experience here.
You’ll learn how to ID each pest, understand health risks, and compare DIY and pro treatment options. Let’s dive in.
Centipedes and silverfish are common house pests with long bodies and antennae. But centipedes belong to the Chilopoda class, while silverfish are primitive insects in the order Zygentoma. Each thrives in humid spots throughout Virginia, Maryland, and D.C.
Centipedes like damp basements and dark crawl spaces. Silverfish prefer moist kitchens, bathrooms, and book-lined closets. Spotting their habits helps you target the right treatment fast.
Centipedes can reach 1 to 1.4 inches long. According to Penn State Extension, house centipedes average 25–35 mm. Silverfish only grow about ½ to 1 inch. Their bodies taper at the end, creating a fish-like silhouette.
Centipedes have 15 pairs of legs, one per body segment, and move in swift bursts. Silverfish carry just three pairs of jointed legs and show three tail-like filaments at the rear.
Centipedes sport a yellowish-grey body with three dark stripes and banded legs. Silverfish shimmer in metallic silver scales and flash bristled rear filaments. These visual cues make them easy to tell apart.
Centipedes sprint in rapid bursts across floors, walls, and ceilings. Silverfish glide in a wiggling, fish-like motion. Because of these differences, you may see centipedes hunting, while silverfish vanish into cracks.
Centipedes are carnivorous hunters feeding on insects, mites, even small spiders. Silverfish feed on starches and sugars in paper, fabrics, and adhesives, so they damage books, wallpaper, and clothing.
Both pests thrive in 70–95% humidity. Silverfish need 75–95% humidity, often in showers and basements. Centipedes hunt in damp, dark spots but can enter homes seeking moisture during dry spells.
Look for centipedes behind baseboards, in crawl spaces, or under logs. Silverfish hide in bookcases, pantry corners, and attics. Reducing clutter in these areas helps cut down hiding spots.
Warmer springs and humid summers boost both pests. In our region, centipede and silverfish sightings spike in spring and fall when they seek shelter. Winter storms can also push silverfish into heated basements.
Baby centipedes hatch with four pairs of legs and gain more with each molt until they reach 15 pairs. Silverfish undergo ametabolous molting—juveniles look like tiny adults and may molt dozens of times a year.
Centipede females can live several years and lay up to 150 eggs. Silverfish can live 2–8 years, molting throughout adulthood. Because silverfish keep growing, they can become a long-term nuisance.
Centipedes can bite, injecting venom that feels like a bee sting. Bites may swell and hurt briefly. Most house centipedes are shy and only bite if provoked.
Silverfish don’t bite people. They lack venom and strong jaws. The main concern is damage to books, paper, clothing, and pantry items.
Keeping pests out starts with simple steps:
For more tips on similar pests, check out our pages on Millipedes and How to Get Rid of Spiders: Easy Steps for Homeowners.
When DIY falls short, our quarterly protection plan steps in:
We serve Arlington, Bethesda, Reston, and Alexandria. Learn more about our regional plans at Pest Control Arlington and Pest Control Alexandria. For pricing, see our 2025 Service Price Guide.
A smart approach combines:
Remember, frequent centipede sightings often mean other pests are present. Tackling the root cause keeps both centipedes and silverfish in check.
Ready to say goodbye to unwanted house guests? Call 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for fast answers or a free estimate.
Centipedes have 15 leg pairs and hunt other bugs. Silverfish have three leg pairs, eat starches, and damage paper and fabrics.
Centipedes can bite if handled, causing sting-like pain. Silverfish don’t bite or spread disease but harm belongings.
Look for tiny silver scales, damage to books or clothes, and holes in paper or wallpaper in dark, humid spots.
Lower humidity, seal cracks, remove clutter, and use natural repellents like peppermint oil around entry points.
If DIY methods don’t work or you see large numbers, professional quarterly treatments can provide long-term relief.
Yes. Silverfish seek warm, humid areas like water heaters or heated basements to survive winter.
Absolutely. Centipedes follow prey. Reducing insects like ants and spiders cuts centipede numbers.
Quarterly visits keep treatments fresh and barrier sprays effective, trapping pests before they get inside.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
