Question: Recently I have had a small problem with a weird looking insect that I have never seen before it”s real small, and seems to congregate under wood such as plywood.

It has a slender gray body that is broader at the head and tapers down towards the end, with it also has three antennas.

Would you be able to tell me what this bug is? I thought it was some sort of termite but all the images of termites I have seen do not resemble this thing. Your assistance is highly appreciated.

ANSWER  I think it may be silverfish or a closely related species.

The silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) is often found around the home. They have probably found a food source under the plywood. You can apply an insecticide at the ground level outside. You can read more about controlling silverfish here: www.orkin.com/ask-the-orkin-man/centipedes-and-silverfish

Related Questions: The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

• Question: I have seen really slender, flattened body, grayish bug in the bathrooms. They move really quickly to hide under the sideboard. I looked up the silver fish, it looks like the silverfish but this bug did not have any back or front antennas.Answer: Well, maybe you didn”t see the antennae….but I”m fairly certain these were silverfish.You can try applying aerosol insecticide behind baseboards in the area that you have seen them. Use sticky traps, such as those for cockroaches, in these locations.
• Question:I have this flat grayish bug that I keep finding in my bedroom. It is very fast and it has two antennae. Im trying to find out what it is, and if its harmful because I have a new baby.Answer: They don”t carry any disease organisms and they don”t bite

^Silverfish

^{Silverfish illustration}