Silverfish are nuisance pests. They feed on the starchy paste of wallpaper and books, gnaw through strands of natural textiles, and can foul an area with their feces. They are common to newly constructed homes as the wooden structure ages. The silverfish has scales with a metallic steel gray sheen and flattened bodies. Silverfish are capable of swift movement and are known for their ability to move sideways or even jump when disturbed. Silverfish can hide in very small cracks and crevices, within the confines of narrow book bindings, the loose pages of books, or in the corrugations of cardboard. Silverfish can do significant damage to paper products, linen, cotton and rayon items.