Firebrat
Easy DIY
Identification
Close relatives of silverfish with mottled gray-brown coloring, preferring warmer areas near furnaces, ovens, and attics rather than cool basements.
Can I DIY this?
Easy DIYYou can handle this one yourself.
With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.
Recommended products
Nisus Niban Granular Bait, 10 lbsGranular bait in attic, voids & warm areasRockwell CimeXa Insecticide Dust, 2 x 4 ozDust cracks & crevicesSome links may be affiliate links. Buggsy may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Always follow the product label.
- Look near heat sources — firebrats are close relatives of silverfish but prefer warm spots like attics, near furnaces, and behind ovens rather than cool basements.
- Reduce clutter (paper, cardboard) in the warm area where they're active.
- Apply a residual insecticide to cracks, crevices, and baseboards in the affected space.
- Improve ventilation if the area is also humid, since moisture plus warmth is what draws them in.
- Monitor with sticky traps to confirm the population is declining.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.