How to Get Rid of Paperlice Infestation at Your Home?

Paperlice or Booklice are small insects that feed on microscopic molds develop on paper, leather, straw, carpet, and certain stored foods. They are commonly found in damp, dark areas. Paper lice are not a big threat to human health as they do not bite or cause any health problems, unlike true lice they don't have venom in their body. If these pests do not cause any harm, then why people ask about how to get rid of Paperlice. 

Description about Paperlice

More than 200 species of Paperlice are present in the United States. 

�-� Size: Size ranges from 1 to 6 mm, depending on the species.

�-� Body Colour: They are pale-colored insects. The color of Paperlice varies according to the species.

�-� Wings: Paperlice that live outdoors often have wings. Paperlice that invade homes usually has very small wings or no wings at all.

They also live in areas where there is high moisture in the air and are found in places like wallpaper, furniture, curtains, and potted plants. 

Major Threats from Booklice

The starches present in wallpaper paste, books, furniture, and paintings develop mold growth and make these items appetizing to book-lice. The search for mold puts antique books, documents at greater risk. You will only find these pests infesting your food when you put them in a moist place. High humidity favors mold growth in cereals and other stored food products, and this mold attracts booklice. You can preserve stored food by keeping them in sealed plastic containers, and stored food in dry areas or less moisture.

How to Get Rid of Paperlice?

The best way to keep booklice away from stuff is to maintain a dry atmosphere. Use dehumidifiers, ventilation, fans, and units to lower humidity levels by less than 50%. But, when these pests take root in your premises, it is necessary to have a professional pest service.

There are a couple of tricks you can follow to fight a booklice infestation by using some household items:

1. Remove any infested items: Throw out infested items that are disposable, and store the rest of infested items in plastic bags for two days in the freezer. 

2. Maintain the moisture in your home by using a dehumidifier. This can cut down the suitable environmental condition for booklice and also helps to remove molds.

3. Use bleach, vinegar, or another chemical to kill the mold growing on your premises. If you're not capable of doing this by yourself, you can call a mold remediation specialist to help you carefully resolve the problem.

4. Eliminate standing water sources and improve your home's ventilation by keeping windows open for some time. If you live in a muggy environment, you can set up multiple humidifiers, especially in places like bathrooms that collect moisture.

5. Vacuum your floors to remove the dead booklice, and clean all previously infected areas with any standard household cleaner to eliminate the bacteria.

6. To prevent booklice infestation at your premises again in the future, continue to dehumidify your home and take some precautionary steps to prevent mold growth by keeping a dry environment.

Here are some of the household ways through which you can control paperlice infestation in your home and protect your stuff from these nuisance-creating insects. You can also consult with a professional pest control service regarding how to get rid of paperlice in your home or can book an appointment with the same.

Author's Note

Know why people ask about how to get rid of Paperlice