firebrat on a rock outside lenexa home

What are firebrats?

Firebrats are closely related to silverfish and look very similar in appearance. Adults grow to be about ½ an inch in length and have a tear-shaped body which is mottled gray and brown. Firebrats have a very long pair of antennae and 3 unique long, slim structures that are found coming off their last body segment. Firebrats are not winged.

firebrat on a wall inside kansas home

Why do I have them?

Firebrats often enter homes while foraging for food sources; they feed mainly on starches, but will consume other carbs and some proteins as well. Inside homes they eat things like flour, cereal, book bindings, wallpaper, and envelopes.  Firebrats thrive in hot temperatures (90 degrees and above) and are even equipped with heat-resistant “feet”. Inside homes they are typically found living around ovens, hot water pipes, baseboard heaters, and in hot attics and crawl spaces.  Firebrats are common home invaders; but because of their high-temperature needs, they are also very common in bakeries, commercial kitchens, and restaurants.

Are they dangerous?

Firebrats are not known to transmit any diseases to people and do not bite or sting people. Firebrats are a nuisance pest, but should be dealt with sooner rather than later because of their ability to cause damage to personal items and contaminate food sources.

Can I do it myself?

Do-it-yourself firebrat control is not recommended. Firebrats hide in hard to reach and extremely hot areas of your home making it dangerous and difficult to find and treat them on your own. DIY products can be dangerous to you, your family, your pets, and your plants if not placed or mixed properly. Also, DIY pest control does not do anything to treat the root of your firebrat problem... how and why they are entering your home in the first place.

How soon can you get here?

At Schendel Pest Services we are dedicated to making sure that we get help to you as quickly as possible. We understand how stressful pest problems can be for you and your family. In most instances, Schendel will respond the same or the very next day.Is the treatment safe?

Is the treatment safe?

We follow very strict guidelines, and all of our conventional products are EPA registered. Our trained and experienced service technicians will inform you of any specific safety measures that may need to be taken before treatment begins.

How much does it cost?


How can I prevent this in the future?

  • Along with implementing a professional pest control service, there are a few things that you can do around your home to help prevent problems with firebrats:

  • Seal cracks and crevices in the foundation of your home; install door sweeps on exterior doors.

  • Place dry goods in plastic or glass containers that have tight fitting lids.

  • Use dehumidifiers to reduce humidity levels.

  • Install air conditioners to reduce the temperature.

  • Reduce clutter in basements and other storage areas to limit the areas that they can hide and live in.

  • Instead of storing items in cardboard boxes, place items in plastic storage containers with tight fitting lids.


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