Booklice and mold mites. Are they the tiny dots that you see on walls and ceilings?

Booklice and moldmites are a common species of pest that are usually found in households and office spaces. They 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. Most of the time, you can find these insects in new homes and if left unchecked, they can reproduce quickly and lead to infesting and contaminating stored food and household items.Booklice are drawn in by humid conditions where the environment is moist and closed off.

Booklice infestation is a sign that there is high humidity and moisture in the room, which encourages the mold and mildew to mushroom across the walls and ceiling. As these are microscopic food for these pests, they will rapidly multiply when the underlying mold or moisture problem has not been addressed.

How long do booklice last for?

24 to 110 days Life Cycle: Eggs will hatch 21 days after being laid. This nymph will reach sexual maturity in 24 to 65 days. Females lay anywhere from 20 – 50 eggs depending on the time of year. Their total life span is from 24 to 110 days.

Where do booklice live? Common living spaces for booklice include: kitchen cupboards, dark and humid storage rooms, inside books and magazines, behind or underneath kitchen appliances.

To prevent or control booklice and moldmites problem, you can:

1. Reduce their food supply by cleaning off moldy areas and dispose of all moldy article and then keeping the areas clean and free of molds and mildew.

2. Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the infested or potentially infestation areas to reduce moisture to below 50 percent.

3. Silica aerogel, diatomaceous earth or boric acid can be dusted in non-food area cracks and crevices, crawl spaces and other areas away from children and pets, to help dry out the area.

4. Commercial products that help to control mold and fungi will also help keep the areas clean and maintain control of mold-feeding pests

5. Engaged professional mold removal and remediation specialist.