Booklice Control

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Pyrid Insecticide Aerosol
Aerosol
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Keith's Pro Tips

"When Spraying Pyrid to areas where Booklice have infested, spray lightly. It should not look wet where you spray or else it means you have overapplied. Just a light mist will get the job done."

Booklice Control: How To Get Rid of Booklice

This page is a general Booklice control guide. Using the products and methods suggested you will get control of Booklice. Follow this guide and use the recommended products and we guarantee 100% control of Booklice.

Booklice may not be real lice in that they aren’t a parasite that sucks the blood of humans, but they can still be very annoying when encountered in large numbers. As their name suggests, Booklice like to gather around wherever there is paper, books, bookcases, newspaper, wallpaper and wherever mold tends to grow.

Large infestations of Booklice can become a nuisance and they can even contribute to allergies. If you want to sit down to a good book again without having to worry about these bugs giving you company, you will need to take action to eliminate the Booklice invasion.

This DIY guide has the expert advice and the fantastic products you need to successfully get rid of Booklice. Read on below to learn more about Booklice and how to best treat these invaders.

Identification

Booklice on a Page

Identification is essential for control. Before applying the treatment, you need to first identify the pest you are encountering as Booklice and not some other pest. Booklice may be hard to detect because they are often too small to see by the naked eye. Here are some traits we have outlined to help you with Booklice identification.

  • Ranging in length from 1/32 – 1/8 of an inch, Booklice are flatly shaped and vary in color from pale white to grey or brown depending on the species.
  • They are wingless, have six legs and have antennae, but perhaps their most distinguishing body part is their strong mouthparts which they use to chew mold.
  • As the name suggests, Booklice are commonly found in the bindings of old books where they eat the starch present in binding and the edges of pages.

Use the image and description above to help you in properly identifying Booklice. If you are still having trouble, reach out to us and we can help you to properly identify your pest issue.

Inspection

Pantry

Once Booklice have been properly identified, you need to know the items and areas where Booklice are harboring. During the inspection, you will focus your search on finding these areas where their appearance is more likely.

Where To Inspect

Most infestations occur indoors so search inside your structure. You’re looking in library areas, basements, pantries, attics, bookshelves, garages, wallpaper, and where books or food goods are stored.

What To Look For

You’re looking for mold and live active Booklice. If you have lots of old and vintage books, search inside the pages, and inside the bookbinding of these books. In pantries and kitchen search inside cereals and stored food goods where mold might grow. If you happen to find mold on books and food goods make sure to throw them out before continuing with treatment. If you find Booklice and mold in these areas, this is where you focus your treatment application.

Treatment

Once you have confirmed Booklice activity you can move forward with treatment. Remember to read all product labels and follow the application instructions on these labels, and stay safe by wearing personal protective equipment.

Booklice control begins with a thorough cleanup of infested items. Discard any belongings that have Booklice or mold. Once that is complete, we recommend Pyrid Aerosol. Pyrid is labeled to kill Booklice and can be used as a space spray and to apply lightly over books that were not affected or that you want to protect. You can also use Pyrid to apply directly to the cracks and crevices of bookshelves, and pantries where you found Booklice.

Step 1: Preliminary Cleanup

booklice preparation

In this step, you will get rid of any infested item you no longer need where you found Booklice. Begin by going through your bookshelves, boxes, and wherever you store your books. Also, go through your pantry and throw away cereals, food grains, and flour that might be grown humid with time.

Old shoes, old newspapers, and paper stored in attics and basement if infected needs to be thrown away. If possible it is best to throw away any infested item you’re able to find, if you have rare and vintage books which you do not want to dispose of, you can seal them in a plastic bag and store them in the freezer for three days, afterward you can vacuum them to get rid of dead Booklice and their eggs.

Step 2: Apply Pyrid Aerosol

Pyrid Crevice Application

Pyrid is a synthetic pyrethroid aerosol that can deliver a quick knockdown of Booklice and can even be applied to cracks and crevices where Booklice are hiding with the help of an application tip. Shake the can well and then while holding the can 18 to 24 inches away from the target surface, apply directly to bookshelves and pantries by spraying 1 to 2 seconds per 1 to 2 feet. Also, spray lightly over books and where you have noticed Booklice activity.

For crack and crevice treatment, you will move the injector tip along cracks and crevices at a rate of 3 ft./sec for light infestations and 1 foot per second for heavy infestations. Do not let people or pets enter areas treated until 2 to 4 hours have passed.

Prevention

Storing Items In Plastic Container

Once you have eliminated Booklice you will need to make sure they do not make a return. The best way to stop booklice activity is to follow the listed preventative methods.

  • Start by fixing moisture issues around the home to reduce the likelihood of mold development. Books and storage boxes in basements and attics will quickly accelerate an infestation if leaks in walls and roofs go unrepaired or if there is improper ventilation.
  • Lowering the relative humidity in the home using your A/C unit or dehumidifier to 50% can hinder their development. An air space under potted plants on windowsills will help keep the humidity down and reduce mold growth.
  • Throw away any infested food material and make sure other foods are kept dry. Booklice are wherever there is mold. If they are in your food, it should be a good indicator that you have moldy food that needs to be thrown out.
  • Store food goods and books in plastic containers instead of cardboard boxes, this will protect them from the elements and stop their natural decay.

Key Takeaways

What are Booklice?

  • Booklice are small, soft-bodies pests that are known to infest paper materials and other items that harbor mold.
  • Booklice resemble head lice in shape, however, they are a much lighter shade of gray. They have wings on their bodies, but these wings are too small to let them fly.
  • Booklice are drawn in by humid conditions where the environment is moist and closed off. Most of the time, you can find these insects in new homes.

How To Get Rid of Booklice in Your Home

  • Get rid of all those items which you know are infested by Booklice because even if you dust the lice away there still might be their eggs attached and that will not solve the problem.
  • We recommend applying Pyrid Aerosol to treat Booklice infestations where they are found. Spray cracks and crevices and any surfaces where you have seen them active.

Preventing Booklice Reinfestation

  • To prevent Booklice infestations, make sure to address moisture issues around the home and make sure the rooms where books are stored get proper ventilation. If necessary use a dehumidifier in attics and basements.
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