How to Get Rid of Booklice (Barklice, Psocids) [4 Easy Steps!]

Summary

Book lice are tiny pests that thrive on mold and organic matter found in books, papers, and food. Despite their name, they do not bite humans and are not true lice. In this video, you’ll learn how to identify book lice, spot infestations in your home, and effectively eliminate them using safe, DIY pest control methods. The guide covers identification tips, inspection techniques, treatment options, and preventative measures to stop future infestations. By controlling humidity and keeping areas dry, you can prevent book lice from infesting your property. Visit Solutions Pest and Lawn for more products and tips.

Takeaways

• 😀 Book lice are not actual lice and do not feed on humans. They infest paper, food, and moldy areas.
• 😀 Book lice range in size from 1/32 to 1/8 inch and can be pale white, gray, or brown.
• 😀 These pests are often mistaken for bed bugs or termites due to their similar shape and size.
• 😀 Inspect areas with paper products, food storage, and high humidity for book lice infestations.
• 😀 Common places for book lice infestations include basements, pantries, attics, and garages.
• 😀 If you find book lice, discard infested items like old books, newspapers, and food.
• 😀 Valuable or vintage items can be preserved by sealing them in a plastic bag and freezing them for three days.
• 😀 Pyrid Aerosol, a botanical insecticide, can effectively kill book lice on contact.
• 😀 Apply Pyrid by spraying it on affected areas, ensuring you treat cracks, crevices, and books where lice may hide.
• 😀 After treatment, keep people and pets away from treated areas for 2-4 hours to allow the product to dry.
• 😀 Prevent future book lice infestations by reducing humidity levels in your home and storing books and food properly.

Q & A

What are book lice, and what do they feed on?

Book lice are tiny, wingless insects that feed on mold, not humans. They are typically found in areas with paper products, mold, and food items, making them a nuisance in homes.

Why are book lice not considered true lice?

Despite their name, book lice are not true lice. They do not feed on human blood, and their primary diet consists of mold and other organic matter.

What are some common places where book lice infestations occur?

Book lice infestations are most commonly found in basements, pantries, attics, garages, and areas with high moisture, such as behind wallpaper or on old books.

How can you identify book lice?

Book lice are small, ranging from 1/32 to 1/8 of an inch. They are soft-bodied with six legs and antennae. Their colors range from pale white to gray to brown, and they are often mistaken for pests like bed bugs or termites due to their similar size and shape.

How do book lice differ from bed bugs and termites?

Unlike bed bugs, which are dark brown and bite, book lice are lighter in color and do not bite. Termites are larger and infest wood, whereas book lice prefer paper and mold.

What steps should be taken when dealing with a book lice infestation?

To handle a book lice infestation, first identify the pests, then inspect for activity around paper products, stored food, and high-moisture areas. Afterward, clean up infested items, treat affected areas with appropriate insecticides, and prevent future infestations by addressing moisture issues.

How can you safely treat book lice in your home?

Treatment involves cleaning up infested items (such as books or food) and using products like pyrid aerosol, a botanical insecticide, to kill book lice. It's important to use personal protective equipment (PPE) and keep pets and people away from treated areas until dry.

What is pyrid, and how is it used to treat book lice?

Pyrid is a botanical insecticide made from pyrethrins. It is sprayed directly onto infested areas, including cracks and crevices. The product kills book lice on contact by affecting their nervous systems, but it is safe for children and pets once dried.

What preventive measures can be taken to avoid book lice infestations?

To prevent book lice, reduce humidity levels in your home below 50% to stop mold growth. Store books in plastic containers, keep pantry foods in airtight containers, and ensure that areas prone to moisture (such as basements and attics) are well-ventilated.

Why is moisture control essential in preventing book lice?

Moisture control is vital because book lice feed on mold, which thrives in high humidity. By reducing moisture in your home, you can prevent mold growth, thus reducing the likelihood of a book lice infestation.