THE BUGYMAN EXTERMINATORS

Silverfish and Firebrats         Order Thysanura        firebrat.jpg (14465 bytes)     silverfi.jpg (9332 bytes)   

Appearance:

These insects of this order have the same characteristic shape. Their bodies are flattened, long and slender, slender appendages are found at the rear of the body. All silverfish and firebrats are wingless. The young look like small adults.

        Silverfish: 3/8-1/2 inch. Tapering, carrot-shaped. Silver-grey, coated with scales. Threadlike antennae and 3 tail filaments, all shorter than body. Small black eyes.

        Firebrats: 3/8-1/2 inch. Mottled gray and tan or brown. Threadlike antennae, longer than body, usually swept back parallel to sides. 3 tail filaments.

Habitat:

       Indoors in warm, dry places, including closets, bookcases, behind baseboards, in partitions, or in bathtubs, (Firebrats: near ovens, heating pipes, and furnaces.) Silverfish and firebrats are most active at night and can run very swiftly.

Food:

        Silverfish: Dried cereals, flour, glue, and starch, including stiffeners used in clothing and bound books, and coated papers used in magazines.

        Firebrats: Crumbs and scraps of dry human food near cooking and heating devices.

Life Cycle:

        Silverfish: No metamorphosis. Oval white eggs are dropped in a few places week after week. Eggs hatch in 2-8 weeks. Nymphs have the same body form as adults. Full size is attained in about 2 years,

        Firebrats: No metamorphosis. At intervals female lays spherical white eggs with soft shells in clusters of 50 or more. Hatching and subsequent growth take weeks or many months, depending on temperature, humidity, and food supply. Nymphs take up to 2 years and about 40 molts to reach full size. Maximum life-span in warm situations is about 30 months.

General Information:

        Silverfish: due to its scaly covering, it is able to escape from the grip of ants and spiders. Silverfish can survive without food for months.

Silverfish and Firebrat Management:

Refer to the standard Service Program outlined under Service Programs.

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Last modified: November 24, 1997