If you run a bakery, have equipment that generates a lot of heat, or live in a warm and humid place, there is a big chance that you have a firebrat problem. Firebrats feed on anything starchy as they love the heat. Though they don't cause much damage, they are pests that you should get rid of.
Firebrat or Silverfish?
The firebrat is closely related to the silverfish as they are similar in behavior. Both come from the family of Lepismatidae, and they may even look the same.
Though the firebrat and silverfish look alike, there are significant differences that set them apart. The most distinct difference among the two insects is the firebrat's apparent love of heat.
A firebrat's diet is similar to a silverfish's. These ancient insects feed on materials high in protien, sugar, or starch. Examples of such materials found in homes are cereals, wheat flour, starch in glue (book binding glue is their favorite), and paper, among others. Both these insects are known to attack various types of fabrics too; however, firebrats cause damage to rayon where silverfish only leave small holes.
How to Identify a Firebrat
At first glance, you may easily mistake a firebrat for a silverfish, but upon closer inspection, you will see some differences. An adult firebrat is about the same size as an an adult silverfish; however, a silverfish is more slender and may have a carrot-shaped body. On the other hand, a firebrat has more width, similar to an obese silverfish.
Its color is also darker and sometimes has patches of white all over its body, unlike the silverfish which is basically silver or gray in color.
Aside from its appearance, firebrats can also be identified by its characteristics and behavior:
•They lay eggs that have dark cracks and crevices. These hatch after 12 to 13 days, whereas silverfish eggs take 19 to 43 days.
•They thrive in areas with high temperatures above 90 F such as places near ovens, steam pipes, heaters, and generators. Silverfish prefer moist areas at room temperature.
•Adults lay 50 eggs and have an average life span of two to three years, while silverfish lay two to three eggs a day.
•An adult firebrat can have over 9,000 offspring throughout its life, while a silverfish can only have around 1,500 to 3,000.
•Firebrats are only active at night or in dark places, and are considered nocturnal creatures.
Firebrats can live either indoors or outdoors since these insects eat almost anything that contains protein, starch, or sugar. If you happen to have a pretty large infestation already, this may mean that they have been around for quite some time because they reproduce at a slower rate compared to other insects.
Getting Rid of Firebrats
To eliminate these pests, just follow these simple steps:
1.Sanitation
Since firebrats feed on almost anything in your home, sanitation is very important in reducing their food source. Vacuum your place rfegularly to eliminate particles that you may not see.
If you have a lot of books, old newspapers, and magazines in your home, you should keep them in a tight container or shelf so that firebrats will not have access to it. Your kitchen is also an ideal place to find food, so diligently clean it up every time.
2.Regulation of Heat
Firebrats love high temperatures, so if possible, keep the heat down. Turn off the heat-generating device at night to reduce the hotspots of firebrats. It will also save you a bundle on your electric bill.
3.Improve Lighting
Firebrats hate light since they are nocturnal creatures. By improving lighting conditions in your home, you can reduce the areas where these pests can do their damage.
4.Dehumidifying
Firebrats also love humid areas so keeping humidity under control will also keep them in check. Aside from having a dehumidifier in your home, you should also fix leaking pipes, check for proper ventilation, and eliminate standing water. You should also use silica gel to absorb the moisture in small areas.
5.Elimination of Entry Points
Your efforts will be rendered useless if firebrats can easily get in and out of your house. Check your home for possible entry points and seal them up. If you already use screens for your doors and wondows, you should make sure that they are small enough to prevent insects from entering.
There are several ways to kill and eliminate firebrats in your home. Most insecticides effectively kill firebrats; however, if you have a serious infestation, borate-based products like Diatomaceous Earth may be a long term solution that may help you effectively kill those pests.