What Is A Firebrat?
What is a firebrat? What do silverfish look like? These are commonly asked questions.
Most of the time, people are not sure whether they have a firebrat or silverfish bug infestation and it is as bad as the silverfish bug.
Both bugs are known for their fast dashes to hiding places and quick movements. There are close similarities but these two bugs do have some big differences.
Color Difference
Firebrats have a shiny appearance with a grayish-brown color. The silverfish is shiny with a silvery color. The silverfish bug is definitely more silver looking.
Size
The firebrat is smaller than the silverfish. It is an average size of approximately 1/2 inch in length. The silverfish bug is larger normally 1/2 to 1 inch in length.
Habitat Differences
Firebrats favor a hot environment. They fare best in temperatures at 90 degrees or higher. This knowledge is important in finding their hiding places. Locating high areas of heat makes it easier to remove them.
Firebrats are commonly found near hot water heater pipes, dishwashers, ovens, furnaces, and fireplaces. You may even want to check the insulation around hot pipes. Cold temperatures below 31 degrees can be deadly to firebrats and their eggs.
Silverfish prefer cooler damp areas and may be found almost anywhere in the home. Preferred silverfish temperature is in the 70 – 80-degree range with high humidity.
In some climates attics can become very hot and an ideal location for firebrats. Silverfish bugs can be any place in the home. They especially like damp basements.
Both insects lay their eggs in cracks and the small openings in your home.
Firebrat and Silverfish Diet
Firebrat bugs and silverfish have very similar diets They also produce the same type of damage in the home. Although they both eat clothing firebrats seem to consume rayon more aggressively than silverfish bugs.
The firebrat bug diet and the silverfish diet consist mostly of carbohydrates and protein. They also eat other dead or injured insects.
Because they are both eat starchy items don’t be surprised to find them in starched clothing, or eating high carbohydrate foods in your kitchen (cereal, flour, etc.)
There are a number of effective steps that can be taken to remove the firebrat bug from your house. The first steps would be proper house cleaning and lowering indoor humidity.
Confusion about whether you have the firebrat bug or silverfish running around hour house can delay how fast you get rid of them.
Even with all of these practices in place, silverfish may still be difficult to locate and a professional could be required to ensure complete elimination. They will better understand not only where the pests may be hiding, but also what types of pesticides will work the most efficiently within your environment.
Given their destructive nature and the ability to consume such a wide array of products, it would be highly beneficial to contact a pest control expert as soon as a problem is discovered.
