Booklice - Booklouse (Psocids)
There are over 800 types of Psocids, however the information given here applies to all.
Appearance
They are very small, less than 1mm, grey or brown, and often appear as “moving specks”. They can walk, but not jump or fly.
Habits
Booklice like to live in warm, dark, humid places and are often found in food cupboards, especially those used for dry goods like flour, milk powder and semolina. They eat microscopic moulds and fungi.
Booklice are frequently found in foodstuff packaging, old books, carpets and other furnishings, but can also be associated with new plaster which offers a humid habitat while it dries out.
Why New Homes and Recent Renovations Get Booklice
One of the most common situations where Owl Pest Control is contacted about booklice is in recently built or renovated properties. New plasterwork contains significant moisture as it dries — a process that can take several months in Irish weather conditions. This moisture, combined with the microscopic fungi and mould spores that naturally colonise damp surfaces, creates ideal breeding conditions for booklice.
Homeowners in new builds or recently renovated properties who find tiny insects in cupboards and on walls should not panic — this is a very common and temporary problem. As the building dries out over the following months, booklice numbers will naturally decline. Improving ventilation, using a dehumidifier, and heating the property consistently will accelerate the drying process and resolve the infestation without treatment in most cases.
Threats
Although a nuisance Booklice do not carry any diseases and are not a health risk. Nor are they a sign of poor hygiene or a dirty house. Large infestations, however, may cause significant damage to delicate materials such as books and furs.
Prevention
- To aid with the prevention of infestation, dry foodstuffs should be kept in a cool dry well-ventilated place
- Cupboards should be cleaned regularly and dried thoroughly before the food goes back in
- The kitchen should be kept well ventilated.
- Avoid condensation as it creates the conditions for the moulds (that Psocids feed on) to grow.
- Use a suitable electric dehumidifier if you cannot reduce the humidity levels
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DIY Booklice Treatments - Get Rid of Booklice
Once you resolve the issues with moisture, you can use residual insecticide to get rid of remaining book lice quicker.
Click on the links below for more details or to buy DIY booklice control products online:
Contact Owl Pest Control
Do you have a booklice problem and need to talk to an expert?
Contact Owl Pest Control today!
Unit 19, Tallaght Business Centre, Whitestown Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24. D24 TD42
