How Long Do Silverfish Live?

Silverfish may be small and silent, but they can live for surprisingly long periods and that’s part of what makes them such frustrating pests. While most insects have short life cycles, silverfish are slow growers and long-term survivors. In the insect world, one of the longer lifespans is the silverfish life cycle. We’ll explore in depth about the silverfish lifespan, how they grow, and what you need to know to get rid of silverfish for good.

The Typical Silverfish Lifespan

On average, silverfish live for 3 to 6 years under the right conditions, and sometimes longer! That’s a long time for an insect! With access to food, moisture and safe hiding places, very tiny silverfish eggs hatch into baby silverfish and are difficult to see, and can survive much longer than many of their household pest cousins.

Silverfish Life Stages

Silverfish go through a gradual life cycle that includes three main stages:

• Silverfish Eggs: Silverfish lay small, white, oval eggs in cracks and crevices. Silverfish eggs usually hatch in 3 to 6 weeks, depending on temperature and humidity.
• Silverfish Nymph: Newly hatched silverfish look like smaller versions of adults. They molt multiple times as they grow, slowly developing the familiar silver sheen.
• Silverfish Adult: Once fully mature, silverfish can live for several years and continue to molt even in adulthood unlike most insects.

This long and gradual development means infestations can build up slowly over time, and be harder to detect early on.

How Long Does It Take Silverfish to Mature?

It can take silverfish up to 1 to 3 years to reach full adulthood. This depends on the environment:

• In warm, humid conditions, silverfish grow faster
• In cooler or dryer homes, development is much slower

Because they grow slowly, a few eggs today could mean a big problem in a couple of years if you don’t act early.

How Long Can Silverfish Live Without Food or Water?

Silverfish are incredibly resilient. In fact, they can survive for:

• Up to a year without food
• Several weeks without water

This makes them tough to eliminate unless you tackle their environment, not just their food sources.

How Reproduction Affects Infestation

• Female silverfish can lay 2 to 20 eggs at a time, often every few days or weeks
• They choose hidden, protected spots like cracks, book spines, and behind baseboards
• About 85% of silverfish eggs hatch, based on environmental survival rates
• With long lifespans and steady egg-laying, even a small silverfish infestation can become a long-term issue

This is why catching the problem early and preventing it from recurring is so important.

How to Break the Silverfish Life Cycle

• Vacuum regularly: Focus on cracks, corners, and cluttered areas
• Use sticky traps: These can catch nymphs and adults alike
• Apply borax or diatomaceous earth: Safe, effective powders for long-term control
• Reduce humidity: Dehumidifiers and exhaust fans are your best friend
• Seal entry points: Caulk gaps and cracks where eggs could be laid

Consistency is key. Killing adults is just the start, you need to stop the next generation too.

Do Silverfish Die Off Naturally?

If you remove food and moisture, silverfish may eventually die off, but that can take months or even years. Because of their long lifespan, relying on time alone isn’t enough. Proactive prevention and pest control are essential.

Silverfish are more than just a creepy pest, they’re long-lived survivors. With lifespans of up to 6 years (and possibly longer) and a slow but steady reproductive cycle, they can stick around far longer than you’d expect. But with the right knowledge and action plan, you can stop silverfish from turning your home into their home.

Learn which areas of your home silverfish love most, and how to keep them out of those hidden spaces for good.