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Pest Types
All information in this section of our website is taken from the Pest Fact Sheets which are published on the Harrow County Council website. We would like to thank the Harrow County Council Web Team for their kind permission allowing us to reproduce these fact sheets.
All information in this section of our website is taken from the Pest Fact Sheets which are published on the Harrow County Council website. We would like to thank the Harrow County Council Web Team for their kind permission allowing us to reproduce these fact sheets.
Silverfish and Firebrats
The silverfish (Lepisma saccharina) and the firebrat (Thermobia domestica) are closely related insects, both are very common household pests. They are elongated, scaly, segmented, wingless insects, with a pair of long fine antennae at the front and three tail-like appendages at the rear. Silverfish may grow to about 12mm in length but the firebrat tends to be larger (14mm) with much longer antennae. The body is covered in scales but the silverfish, as its name implies, is silvery and glistening in appearance whilst the firebrat is greyish with dark, irregular markings.
Life cycle
The female silverfish is believed to lay about 100 eggs usually in crevices and cracks. They are small and white when first laid but soon turn brownish and are difficult to find. The time they take to hatch varies from two to eight weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity of the breeding site. Newly hatched insects are about 2mm long and resemble the adults in appearance. The time they take to reach maturity may vary from a few months to over a year, depending on the temperature and humidity of their surroundings.
Life cycle
The female silverfish is believed to lay about 100 eggs usually in crevices and cracks. They are small and white when first laid but soon turn brownish and are difficult to find. The time they take to hatch varies from two to eight weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity of the breeding site. Newly hatched insects are about 2mm long and resemble the adults in appearance. The time they take to reach maturity may vary from a few months to over a year, depending on the temperature and humidity of their surroundings.
Habitat
The silverfish is found where the conditions are fairly moist, in kitchens, larders and particularly in bathrooms and basements. It may occur amongst books and paper, in slightly damp cupboards and behind skirtings and loose wallpaper. It is a general scavenger in warehouses and granaries. The firebrat requires much higher temperatures, ideally between 32ºC and 48ºC. It is often found in bakeries and near ovens and hot pipes. Both the silverfish and firebrat are nocturnal, hiding during the day and coming out to look for food at night. They move very rapidly when disturbed and even turning on a light generally causes them to seek cover.
Food
Both species feed principally on carbohydrates with a small amount of protein. The silverfish feeds mainly on small food particles and the paste on the back of wallpaper that has become detached. It attacks gums and glues of bookbinding and thus may cause serious damage in libraries. It feeds on fragments of dead insects and may also eat textiles such as cotton and linen. The firebrat feeds mainly on food debris.
Control
Where only a few silverfish are seen it is not necessary to take any action other than checking for unwanted sources of damp. If large numbers of these insects trouble you, they are easilycontrolled with normal insecticidal spray or dust which can be purchased from most hardware stores. Look for the products that are specifically designed to deal with crawling insects. Permethrin is a common chemical used in these types of products so look for its presence on the chemical content list. Always read the label before you buy. During use, be careful not to breathe in the spray or contaminate food or pets.
Dampness
The presence of silverfish is an indication of damp conditions. This may be a warning that repairs are needed. Look at the floor, walls and ceiling for signs of staining due to dampness. Check all the water pipes to see if there is a slight leak anywhere; perhaps the rainwater gutter is leaking outdoors and soaking the brickwork. Perhaps the damp proof course near the bottom of the wall is broken and allowing dampness up from the foundations. Another common problem is condensation - sometimes caused by drying washing indoors (especially by an unventilated tumble drier) or by cooking. Whenever creating steam you should try to keep the internal doors closed and the window open. Bathrooms and kitchens should also be provided with a permanent means of ventilation to the outside - an air brick or trickle vent on the window.
If you are unable to deal with a common pest problem satisfactorily, then contact Commercial Pest Control London. Our rates are competitive and we will get the job done fast and efficiently. For a professional service call Commercial Pest Control London today on freephone 0800 043 2056
The silverfish is found where the conditions are fairly moist, in kitchens, larders and particularly in bathrooms and basements. It may occur amongst books and paper, in slightly damp cupboards and behind skirtings and loose wallpaper. It is a general scavenger in warehouses and granaries. The firebrat requires much higher temperatures, ideally between 32ºC and 48ºC. It is often found in bakeries and near ovens and hot pipes. Both the silverfish and firebrat are nocturnal, hiding during the day and coming out to look for food at night. They move very rapidly when disturbed and even turning on a light generally causes them to seek cover.
Food
Both species feed principally on carbohydrates with a small amount of protein. The silverfish feeds mainly on small food particles and the paste on the back of wallpaper that has become detached. It attacks gums and glues of bookbinding and thus may cause serious damage in libraries. It feeds on fragments of dead insects and may also eat textiles such as cotton and linen. The firebrat feeds mainly on food debris.
Control
Where only a few silverfish are seen it is not necessary to take any action other than checking for unwanted sources of damp. If large numbers of these insects trouble you, they are easilycontrolled with normal insecticidal spray or dust which can be purchased from most hardware stores. Look for the products that are specifically designed to deal with crawling insects. Permethrin is a common chemical used in these types of products so look for its presence on the chemical content list. Always read the label before you buy. During use, be careful not to breathe in the spray or contaminate food or pets.
Dampness
The presence of silverfish is an indication of damp conditions. This may be a warning that repairs are needed. Look at the floor, walls and ceiling for signs of staining due to dampness. Check all the water pipes to see if there is a slight leak anywhere; perhaps the rainwater gutter is leaking outdoors and soaking the brickwork. Perhaps the damp proof course near the bottom of the wall is broken and allowing dampness up from the foundations. Another common problem is condensation - sometimes caused by drying washing indoors (especially by an unventilated tumble drier) or by cooking. Whenever creating steam you should try to keep the internal doors closed and the window open. Bathrooms and kitchens should also be provided with a permanent means of ventilation to the outside - an air brick or trickle vent on the window.
If you are unable to deal with a common pest problem satisfactorily, then contact Commercial Pest Control London. Our rates are competitive and we will get the job done fast and efficiently. For a professional service call Commercial Pest Control London today on freephone 0800 043 2056
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