Pest Gallery

Silverfish and Firebrats: Thysanura

The body shape is flattened, long and slender, broad at the front and tapering gradually toward the rear. The antennae are long and slender. Three long, slender appendages are found at the rear of the body. These give rise to the common name, “bristle tails.” All silverfish and firebrats are wingless.

Silverfish may be found almost anywhere in a house. However, they are usually found close to their source of food. They eat a wide variety of foods containing proteins or carbohydrates. Such things as rolled oats, dried beef, flour, starch, paper, cotton, sugar, dead insects, glue, and linen are all normal items in their diet. Silverfish can live long periods of time without food.

Most firebrats, except for the common pest species, live outdoors under rocks, bark, leaf mold, in the nests of birds and mammals, or in ant and termite nests. They prefer warm temperatures and are numerous outdoors. The bodies of adult firebrats are about ½ – inch long and marked on the back with numerous dark patches, which give them a mottled gray appearance.

Firebrats and silverfish are most active at night and can run very swiftly.