Silverfish (Lepisma Saccharina) and the Firebrat (Thermobia Domestica) are closely related insects. Both are very common household pests. They are elongated, scaly, segmented wingless insects, with a pair of long fine antennae at the rear. Silverfish may grow to 12mm in length, but the Firebrat tends to be larger (14mm) with much longer antennae. The bodies are covered in scales but the Silverfish, as the name implies, is silvery and glistening in appearance whilst the Firebrat is grayish with dark, irregular markings. 

The Silverfish is found where conditions are fairly moist, in kitchens, larders and particularly in bathrooms and attics. It may occur within books and paper, in slightly damp cupboards, behind skirting boards and loose wallpaper. It is a general scavenger in warehouses and granaries. 

The Firebrat requires much higher temperatures, ideally between 32 and 48 degrees. It is often found in bakeries, near ovens and hot pipes. Both Silverfish and Firebrat are nocturnal, hiding during the day and coming out to look for food at night. 

The females lays groups of fewer than 60 eggs at once, deposited in small crevices. The eggs are oval shaped, whitish and about 0.8mm in length. The eggs can take between two weeks to two months to hatch. 

Silverfish consume matter that contains polysaccarides, such as starches and dextrin in adhesives. These include book bindings, carper, clothing, coffee, dandruff, glue, hair, some paints, paper, photos, plaster and sugar. They will damage wallpaper in order to consume the paste. 

Silverfish are considered household pests, due to their consumption and destruction of property. However, although they are responsible for the contamination of food, although they do not carry diseases, they can walk around in areas of harmful bacteria, like your garbage, and then carry those bacteria to food prep surfaces.