What is this worm-like insect?

Question

I have recently discovered a worm-like insect in my room. I have seen only a few, but they didn't die when sprayed with raid. They're about 1/4 of an inch long and have thin feeler like things on their butt. Their color is a light brown, and they burrow into the carpet a little bit. The area of my room where i found them is closed off and somewhat shaded. I live in southern california and temperatures have been in the 60-80 range lately. What are these things? How should i go about getting rid of them?

Answer 1

They do sound like silverfish.  

These are fairly harmless insects, but they do feed on cellulose, wool, paper, glue; and they also feed on mold.  Since you say the area is closed off and shaded, maybe it is damp enough for some mold to grow there and feed the silverfish.  They do prefer damp conditions, and so are often found in the bathroom.  So, if you can lower the humidity some way (ventilation, silica gel, whatever) it will make the silverfish less welcome.  

Since you have carpet in that location, one way to get rid of them would be to get some boric acid powder (sold as a bug powder).  It is inexpensive and nontoxic; it kills bugs by damaging the exoskeleton so they dehydrate.  Sprinkle some on the carpet and brush it in so you can't see it.  It will get on any bugs in the carpet as they pass through.

Answer 2

Is this them. silverfish.

http://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&k...