Silverfish and Firebrats: A Tale of Two Pests May 30, 2014 - By: Nathan Woolf “It was the best of pests, it was the worst of pests…” Ahem. No one wants insects invading their home, and silverfish and firebrats are two of the most common household pests in American homes today – and they’re two of the most commonly misidentified insects because they’re so similar to each other. Here are some tips on how to tell these two insects apart and how to prevent these pests from causing damage to your home or commercial property. We have offices in Phoenix and Gilbert and serve the entire metro area including Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, and Peoria. Click here to get your free quote.Related: How Often Should You Get Pest Control?Similarities Between Silverfish and FirebratsBoth firebrats and silverfish are similar in shape. They have flat, elongated bodies and move quickly for their size. At the front of their bodies, they have two long antennae, while on the other end of the body they have three long appendages called cerci. According to the University of Missouri, both insects have a similar diet, which consists of materials that may contain starches or carbohydrates, including paper, glue, books, and flour. Both are nocturnal; they are active and feed during the night and rest during the day. They can survive without food for several months, making it difficult to get rid of them even if you do manage to remove most of their food sources.Differences Between Silverfish and FirebratsDespite the many similarities between firebrats and silverfish, they also display a number of differences that will allow homeowners to tell them apart. For example, silverfish get their name from their silvery or pearl gray appearance. On the other hand, the firebrat is a dull gray with mottled spots and dark bands around the body. Silverfish prefer cool, moist areas, such as in the bathroom around sinks and tubs or in the attic or basement. Firebrats, however, get their name because of their love for heat and are more often found in dark places with temperatures above 90 degrees, such as fireplaces, around hot water pipes, furnaces and ovens. Firebrats also tend to be slightly smaller than silverfish.Silverfish and Firebrat DamageAlthough these insects are not considered major pests, they can cause serious damage to personal property. Due to their preference for materials containing starch, they can cause damage to books, papers, and other paper-based products. They also have a preference for adhesives and can cause damage to wallpaper and related items. They like starchy foods, so they often contaminate cereals, flour, and other staples containing carbohydrates.Silverfish and Firebrat PreventionHere are a few tips on how to prevent silverfish and firebrat infestations.Because both insects prefer moist areas, removing excess moisture may help keep them from moving in. For example, keep surfaces in bathrooms, kitchens, boiler rooms or any other place these insects may prefer completely dry. Check pipes and repair any leaks. Also, ventilate moist paces or use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture.Seal holes in walls, pipes, drains or any other possible entry points where these insects could get into your home.According to the University of Minnesota, you should get rid of any old books, paper, boxes, old or rotting shelves, fabrics or any other similar objects that may be lying around, or store them in a place where these pests cannot get to them.Put starchy foods, such as cereal, flour or pet food, into airtight containers that cannot be accessed by these pests.Related: Are Landlords Responsible For Pest Control?Conclusion on Silverfish & FirebratsWhile silverfish and firebrats do look similar, differences in their appearance, behavior, and habitat will allow you to easily distinguish between the two. By taking reasonable precautions and following the above steps, you can prevent the infestation of silverfish and firebrats in your home.
How to Deal With Silverfish May 21, 2014 - By: Nathan Woolf Have you ever walked into your bathroom late at night, switched on the lights, and been surprised at a small insect squirming away to hide in the cracks behind your sink? Maybe it wiggled away in such a flash, you couldn’t even get a good look at it. Well, you probably just saw a silverfish. In this blog post, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to deal with silverfish. If you need silverfish control or any kind of pest control in the Phoenix area, we can help. We have offices in Phoenix and Gilbert that make it easy for us to serve the entire metro area including Avondale, Tempe, Glendale, all the way out to Surprise, and more!Related: What If I’m Still Seeing Bugs After Spraying?What Are Silverfish?Silverfish, otherwise known as fishmoth, are nocturnal insects that are known to take up residence in damp areas. These small pests tend to grow up to 1 inch long and have a long pair of antennae on one end of their bodies with three long appendages called cerci at the other. The silverfish gets its name due to its silvery shine that adults have, along with the wriggling motion that resembles that of a fish. Although silverfish can live in a wide range of environments, they prefer warm, moist areas. They are usually found in bathrooms, laundry rooms and kitchens. They will be most likely to be found in boxes, shelves, behind walls or wallpaper, in or under sinks, in closets, in bathtubs and even in window or door frames. Adult silverfish can lay up to 50 eggs at a time and have a very long lifespan for an insect – although there’s some disagreement about how long; different sources say silverfish live from two years up to eight years.Why Are Silverfish Pests?Although not particularly harmful to humans or buildings, silverfish can cause serious nuisance at times. According to the Insect Identification Laboratory, silverfish prefer vegetable matter with a high carbohydrate and protein content, usually found in starches and adhesives. As a result, they are known to cause damage to book bindings, paper, photos, carpets, wallpaper and even some synthetic fabrics, leading to their damage or destruction. They also eat a number of household foods, such as sugar and coffee, causing contamination.How to Prevent a Silverfish InfestationOne of the ways to prevent silverfish is to remove the elements that encourage them to move in and breed. By taking away some of their food sources, such as cardboard, old books and rotting shelves, you will reduce the likelihood of silverfish establishing themselves in our home. Also, because they like wet and humid areas, clearing up moisture on surfaces or even dehumidifying your home will also reduce the likelihood of a silverfish infestation. Leaks in pipes should be fixed, and cracks or drains should be sealed in order to ensure that silverfish and other pests cannot enter. It is also recommended to remove wallpaper in areas that have become infected. According to Memorial University, vacuuming and cleaning the house may also help to remove eggs, which females often lay in cracks and crevices, such as near baseboards. In addition to home maintenance, there are other steps that can be taken to prevent silverfish infestation. Some herbs, such as rosemary or costmary sprigs, are well-known silverfish deterrents and can be laid around the areas that silverfish may prefer in an attempt to ward them off. Cucumber peels are also known to deter silverfish, as does camphor.How to Deal With a Silverfish InfestationBecause they’re small, fast and nocturnal, many people may not even notice silverfish until they have already infested an area. For those who prefer to deal with a silverfish infestation themselves, boric acid can be very effective in killing these pests because the powder is dangerous to them whether they come into contact with it externally or through internal ingestion. Also, basic roach traps and insecticides can also be useful in killing these pests. However, it is usually recommended to use professional assistance because do-it-yourself tactics are often ineffective at clearing out all silverfish, and many of these methods do not get rid of the countless eggs that a silverfish may lay.Although more of a minor nuisance than a major pest, silverfish still can cause damage to treasured books, priceless photographs or other valuable items. Make sure that your home is silverfish proof or call in a professional to deal with a silverfish infestation today.Related: How Often Should Pest Control Be Done?