Are silverfish harmful?

Silverfish pose no threat to humans. They can, however, cause damage to things like carpet, sugar, and book bindings because they feed on things containing polysaccharides.

Silverfish are more of a nuisance than anything. They can contaminate food and like living in damp places in the home. They live in places where food is easy to find, and those who have a silverfish infestation should take steps to remove as much humidity from the home as possible while taking care to cover food, such as sugar and food containing starches. Other common names for silverfish include carpet sharks, fishmoths and paramites.