FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Firebrat insect belongs to the kingdom of Animalia (Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda), they belong to the Class Insecta and Order Thysanura, belonging to the Lepismatidae family which is a part of the Genus Thermobia and Specie domestica. The scientific name of firebrat is Thermobia domestica.
Firebrats are not considered to be dangerous as they do not transmit any disease to people, do not sting or bite people but can contaminate food. A silverfish is a small insect with a long, slender, and flattened body while Firebrats are grayish-brown with darker spots on their back. Firebrats are common all over the world and can be found near heated areas. Firebrats are nuisance pests but and are usually dealt with in order to prevent them from contaminating consumables. A major threat to Firebrats is Pest Control.
Here on our page, we have lots of Firebrat facts that everyone will enjoy. Let's have a look at these interesting facts, and if you do like these, then do read our millipede and praying mantis.
Firebrats (Thermobia Domestica) are a species of silverfish, preferring high temperatures with some level of humidity. They have flat bodies with a mottled reddish-orange, and their scales are shiny.
Firebrats belong to the class of Insecta.
A scientific study regarding their total population has not been conducted.
Firebrats are very common in North America especially indoors with heat sources and humid areas like; hot-water pipes, water heaters, attics, fireplaces as well as ovens in bakeries.
Firebrats can live all year long, many Firebrats live outside and are found under rocks, leaf molds, bark, in the nests of mammals and birds, in termite and ant nests.
Both young and grown-up firebrats share very similar conditions, so all ages of Firebrat insects will be found together in an appropriate environment.
Firebrats are stout-bodied, quick-moving insects without wings and their average lifespan is around two years.
The flat bodies of Firebrats give them access to all sorts of narrow spaces as they search around for food and mates at night. Male Firebrats deposit a sperm packet on the ground, below a silken thread. The packet is then picked up by the female. Females lay their eggs inside cracks and crevices. The eggs are about 0.04 in (1 mm) long. At first, the eggs are soft and white, but after some time they turn yellow and then brown. The Firebrat larvae look like a smaller version of their adults.
There are no species of Firebrats (Thermobia Domestica) that are threatened or endangered.
Firebrats are closely related to the species of Silverfish. Firebrats consist of a long and flat silvery body with hairs that are like spikes standing out from yellow scale-type plates. They have three long, string, thread-like tails that split from the tip of the midsection. Firebrat is a stout-bodied, quick-moving insect without wings. Unlike their fierce name, they do not bite, sting, or hurt people. Their presence is an annoyance more than anything, and they rarely form infestation indoors.
Just like silverfish, Firebrats are nocturnal foragers. These insects are general feeders that consume starch in a wide variety of materials like wood, paper products, cotton, glue, silk, flour, and cereal. This insect can be found around heated areas like hot water pipes, hot ovens, attic, and fireplaces.
The Firebrat is a pest and like most pests, they are not considered cute. They are instead considered to be a nuisance.
Firebrat bugs lack any kind of long-distance communication, yet, these insects can locate their mates in sustained hot and humid microhabitats, generally within human habitats where they feed on dry food sources.
Firebrats are very closely related and look very similar to silverfish in appearance. Adults' growth may reach half an inch in length and have a mottled gray and brown body which is tear-shaped. The adults have a long pair of antennae and three long-slim structures that are found coming out of the tail end of their body segment.
Firebrats are fast-moving and can travel throughout buildings. They move their bodies in a fish-like manner.
The average weight of a Firebrat is not known. If you know the weight of a Firebrat, please let us know at [email protected]
They do not have gender-specific names.
They are simply referred to as larvae.
Firebrats eat decaying or dried plants and animal remains. They eat starchy materials, such as paper, cardboard boxes, wallpaper paste, book bindings, and some other fabrics. They also eat the starch which is used to make the fabric stiff. The species living with ants get food by stealing it from their hosts.
Firebrats are not commonly known for transmitting any diseases to people. They also do not bite or sting people. Firebrats are inconvenient pests, but they should be dealt with sooner because they can cause damage to personal items and contaminate food sources.
No, they are wild creatures and can cause damage to different items also can contaminate foods. They cannot be confined to domestic living.
These insects are highly primitive, and primitive to an extent that they are wingless.
Firebrat bug can be found all over the world and especially found indoors. They require places with humidity and high temperature.
Firebrats and silverfish are perceived to be irritating pests that can feed on natural textiles, wallpaper pastes, cardboard boxes, papers, and books. They also often feed on fungi or mold that grow on different media.
Firebrats and Silverfish molt or shed their outer skeletons, but Firebrats are known to live for only two years, whereas Silverfish can live up to six years.
Firebrats and silverfish may look similar but, Firebrats have longer antennae than Silverfish.
Silverfish are completely gray or silver, whereas Firebrats have dark gray or solver patches all over its
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other arthropods including atlas beetle, or giant African millipede.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Firebrat coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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