Learn how to get rid of booklice naturally? Psocoptera are an order of insects that are commonly known as booklice, barklice or bark flies. They first appeared in the Permian period, 295–248 million years ago. The species known as booklice received their common name because they are commonly found amongst old books they feed upon the paste used in binding.
There are around 100 different species of booklice in the United States, and they’re all pretty harmless. Hard to spot, these creatures are just 1/16 inch long and enjoy moist places with bacteria. They’re most often found in food items or particularly moist areas of your home. In addition, booklice do not have wings.
Booklice, also called psocids, are not true lice. While they resemble lice in size and shape, booklice feed only on fungi or mold. Booklice found inside homes are wingless and very tiny: less than 1/16 of an inch long. While their back legs are thicker than the other four and resemble the legs found in jumping insects, booklice do not jump but run about rather quickly. Adult booklice range in color from translucent white to gray or brown. The most common booklouse (Liposcelis spp.) is a small, grayish, soft-bodied insect with chewing mouthparts and long antennae.
How to get rid of booklice naturally
Booklice can be difficult and most people discover them in the kitchen, which is not the best place to be applying insecticides. However, Organisect is recommended to use where a dust/powder is not suitable, can be used all around the home and is completely safe to use around children and pets.
Another product placed into the UK market in 2011 is, Oa2Ki Diatomaceous Earth Aerosol Spray, this lends itself perfectly to Booklice control. The product is made from single-cell plants that existed millions of years ago these are usually mined from old lake beds in Canada. Diatomaceous Earth has many uses and in insect control, it attacks the outer cuticle of the insect and absorbs moisture, thereby dehydrating the insect to the point of death.
Booklice Bites
Booklice may look like lice, but they are not actually lice and they do not bite people. These tiny insects do not cause structural damage or spread disease. Booklice become a nuisance when they are in your home in large numbers.
Booklice Treatment
Booklice treatment options includes the following
- Dehumidifying reduces the moisture content of the air that these insects find essential. Some methods for dehumidifying include:
- Mend leaking pipes.
- Ventilate closed rooms and attics.
- Eliminate standing water.
- Regularly vacuuming cracks and crevices with a narrow vacuum tip also can be a good method to physically remove these insects from their harborages.
- Excess food material should be eliminated. Food sources that cannot be removed should be sealed in containers.
- Wherever possible, potential hiding areas should be sealed with caulk, especially around windows, cabinets, and moldings. Increasing the lighting makes harborages less hospitable. Removal of leaf litter from around the home can decrease the chance of an outside invasion.
- Periodic airing and drying of articles stored in damp areas may help reduce the mold on which these insects feed. Disposing of moldy articles is often the simplest way of removing an infestation in an area.
- Usually, DE is supplied as a powder, which would be impossible to apply to vertical surfaces, however, the aerosol formulation allows vertical application and even the underside of horizontal surfaces as it is dispensed as a liquid which rapidly dries on surfaces leaving the dust affixed to the surface. It can be easily brushed off once the infestation is cleared.
- As Booklice are moisture dependent, the use of Diatomaceous Earth is the ideal control measure.
- Booklice Traps
Booklice can be trapped by following ways: - Booklice do not fly, so there is a big chance that you will get them trapped as they travel along walls and floors. Inspect your traps after a few days. If you some traps caught very few or no booklice at all, transfer them to areas where you suspect booklice may come from.
- Packaged dry food products are a favorite of booklice, so do not leave them on your cupboards. Place them in airtight containers, as using poorly sealed containers can be easily penetrated by booklice.
- Keep your cupboards and shelves clean all the time. Use a dry cloth to clean these areas to prevent further making them moist. If you really need to clean with soap and water, make sure that you dry the area. It would also be good if you vacuum your cupboards and shelves, paying great attention to crevices where booklice may hide. Once done, throw away the contents of the vacuum to prevent them from starting another infestation inside your home.
- If you see booklice in the pages of a book or magazine, place those items in a microwave and heat it for at least 40 seconds on high. This will kill the lice and their eggs.
Booklice vs Bed Bugs
Booklice aren’t actually lice at all. They are insects belonging to a group known as “psocids,” and they don’t eat paper, either. However, these bugs do feast on the mold found in old books and on the glue used in the bindings. In addition, they feed on any food particles found in your kitchen, and they like moist, humid areas. This is a booklouse (psocids), submitted for ID in the forums.
Many bed buggers have mistaken book lice for bed bug nymphs. Notice the shape of the body is elongated, with three clear segments. There’s a pronounced head. Both booklice and bed bug nymphs are light colored but bed bug nymphs have a less elongated body. Bed bug nymphs don’t look like they have a neck, whereas booklice do. Bed bug nymphs are clear but will become red when they have fed.
