How to get rid of booklice

Information, facts and resources to help you deal with an infestation of booklice and, if the worst happens, how to destroy the book lice and prevent this household pests return.

Booklice

What do Booklice look like?

Booklouse

Booklice Description

• Booklice are grey to yellowish brown in colour and very small, only about 1mm long.

Where do Booklice live?

• Booklice normally in birds nests, under the bark of trees or on leaves.
• Book lice may however move indoors where they like moist, warm, dark conditions.
• Booklice may sometimes be found in the folds of food packets or in cracks and crevices in cupboards.

What are the signs of Booklice infestation?

• Booklice may be spotted in the folds of food packets and in books and magazines.

What do Booklice eat?

• Book lice eat moulds and mildews and are attracted to dried foods.

Why must Booklice be controlled?

• Whilst book lice are not directly harmful to human health, booklice thrive in moist, damp conditions.
• Book lice spoil food and the bugs and maggots are unpleasant.

How can I get rid of Booklice?

• If you find booklice, any infested food should be thrown away; food in cans and bottles will be unaffected but check under labels for booklice as you don't want to re-infest your food store.
• Clean out the cupboards, allow to dry and then treat with an insecticide.
• Booklice Insecticides may be bought from garden centres and chemists. Choose one which says on the label it is suitable for crawling insects including booklice and is suitable for use near food.
• Follow the instructions on the container carefully.
• Book lice are associated with moist conditions so it is important to find out the cause of the moisture (this may well be condensation) and cure it.
• Remember pesticides can be poisonous to children and pets. After use store container and contents away from children, or dispose of empty containers safely.

How can I prevent Booklice from returning?

• Good hygiene.
• Booklice are associated with moist conditions so it is important to find out the cause of the moisture (this may well be condensation) and cure it.

Booklice Poisons and Booklice Pesticides

• Suitable products can be purchased from hardware shops and garden centres to extermine booklice.
• It is essential to purchase the correct product as treatment for book lice is likely to take place in areas where food is stored.
• Remember pesticides can be poisonous to children and pets. After use store container and contents away from children, or dispose of empty containers safely.

The "Green Option" - Environmentally friendly control of Booklice

• Prevention will be the best method.
• Prevent damp conditions especially where there is food, cardboard or paper. Booklice are attracted to moist areas.

Booklice : Household Pests

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