Pest Control Fact Sheets

Silverfish and Firebrat

Facts about silverfish and firebrat

Silverfish are about ½ inch long and are silvery grey in colour
Firebrats are about ½ inch long and are greyish and mottled with spots and bands of dark scales
They both eat a wide variety of foods including glue, wallpaper paste, book bindings, paper, photographs, starch in clothing, cotton, linen, rayon, wheat flour, cereals, dried meats, leather and even dead insects
Silverfish live and develop in damp, cool places such as basements and laundry rooms. Sometimes you will see them in the bathtub or sink, unable to climb out
Firebrat live in hot, humid places such as attics in the summer and near ovens, fireplaces and central heating pipes in winter
Outdoors they can be found under rocks, bark and leaf mould and in ant, bird or animal nests
They usually come into the home in food, furniture, old books or papers
They are hardy and can live without food for many months
They are harmless but can be a nuisance

Life cycle and habits

Silverfish females may lay over 100 eggs during a lifetime. Eggs hatch in 3-6 weeks. Firebrats lay about 50 eggs and hatch in about 2 weeks, under ideal conditions. Adults may live from 2-8 years.

Silverfish and firebrats are active at night and hide during the day. When objects are moved where they are hiding, they dart out and seek new hiding places.

How can I get rid of them?

You could use a residual insecticide, which you can buy from hardware or DIY stores. Treatment needs to be applied to all possible hiding places such as cracks, crevices, inside floor moldings, around heating and hot water pipes, in and behind furniture, cupboards, even attics
Remove old boxes and stacks of papers, magazines, books and fabrics
Often reducing available water and lowering the humidity in the home with dehumidifiers and fans can help
Repair leaking plumbing and make sure areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms are well ventilated
Keeping your home clean and free from damp will help prevent re infestation

Treatment we provide

Our pest control officer will visit and survey the property to determine the extent of the problem. Treatment is by an insecticide spray pesticide for which there is a charge.

Charges

For information about charges please contact Barking and Dagenham Direct.

Methods of payment

Cash - the exact amount as no change can be given
Cheque - supported by a Cheque Guarantee Card
Credit Card - by telephone when booking the appointment

Important: If you are paying by cash and do not have the exact amount, please note that treatment will not be carried out.

Please note: We require 24 hours notice to cancel an appointment. If you fail to keep an appointment and do not notify us at least 24 hours before, a £10 fee will be incurred. No further service will be provided until this fee has been paid.