Have you started noticing small brown bugs lining your bookshelf or within the pages of your books?
These tiny white bugs have caused a lot of confusion and panic in homeowners over the years.
The panic ensues as you open an old book on your shelf and think that dust is moving everywhere—until you realize that it’s crawling and isn’t dust at all. These occasional invaders are probably the Psocids commonly referred to as booklice.
However, to the surprise of many of our clients, they are nothing like lice and are rarely only found in books.
Booklice are a species of psocids, meaning that they primarily feed on fungi or mold within the environment.
While they are named booklice because of their superficial resemblance to lice species found in hair, they are not considered true lice.
Booklice are opportunistic household-dwelling insects that seek damp and warm areas inside your home that aren’t likely to be disturbed—like an old bookshelf in the basement, or molded foods in the pantry.
This is because booklice feed on a variety of things like mold, fungi, starches, and dead insects.
Booklice are most commonly found in the colder months of the year, as they are forced to come inside from the cold to avoid dying. From there, they will quickly become an adult within a few months, usually as warmer weather arrives – creating areas of high heat and moisture in the process.
While they most commonly feed on or around books, this isn’t the only place they can be found.
They can also commonly be found in and around furniture, stored foods, rugs, paper products, cardboard boxes, home voids, and practically any area of high humidity within the home.
Bugs in books are a common issue that many book lovers and libraries face. These pesky insects can damage book collections and precious texts. While having a few bugs is usually not a cause for alarm, an uncontrolled infestation can quickly destroy entire libraries.
The most common types of bugs found in books are booklice and silverfish However, many other insects like termites, beetles, moths, and cockroaches can also take up residence in your books. The key to saving your collection is early identification followed by prompt and thorough treatment
What Causes Bugs in Books?
Bugs are attracted to books because of the materials they are made from The cellulose in paper and glue in bindings make tasty treats for these insects Common problem areas that allow pests to enter and thrive include
- High humidity
- Poor ventilation
- Exposure to food sources
- Lack of cleaning
- Dark, undisturbed places
Libraries, basements, and attics tend to have the highest rates of infestation because they provide ideal bug habitats. However, any home can develop issues with proper management.
12 Common Book Bugs and How to Identify Them
Being able to accurately identify which insects have invaded your books is crucial for effective removal, Here are 12 of the most frequent bookworms and how to know if you have them
1. Booklice
Appearance: Tiny, under 1 mm in size. Translucent to white in color with relatively large mouthparts. Wingless.
Signs of Infestation: Found near moldy books and papers. Also under wallpaper and in pantries. May see them on surfaces near books.
Damage: Feed on book bindings, starchy pastes, and mold. Can destroy books over time.
2. Silverfish
Appearance: Silver-gray, elongated, tapered body with two antennae. Around 0.4 inches long.
Signs of Infestation: Found in warm, humid areas like bathrooms and kitchens. See them on wallpapers, books, cardboard, and fabrics.
Damage: Eat through paper, creating small holes and consuming pages.
3. Termites
Appearance: Small, white, ant-like insects. Workers are about 1⁄4 inch long while soldiers are about half an inch.
Signs of Infestation: Curling pages and small holes in books. Long tunnels through pages. May see discarded wings.
Damage: Bore extensive tunnels through books, severely damaging them. Can also damage shelving and structures.
4. Cockroaches
Appearance: Reddish-brown body, long antennae. Adults range from 1⁄2 inch to 2 inches long.
Signs of Infestation: Primarily active at night. Find them in kitchens, bathrooms, and other humid areas.
Damage: Chew through book bindings, pages, and covers. Cause major damage when in large numbers.
5. Ants
Appearance: Social insects in nests. Vary greatly in size and color by species.
Signs of Infestation: See trails of ants on bookshelves or books. May accumulate dirt or debris on books.
Damage: Tunnel through pages and bindings while foraging for food. Cause only minor damage.
6. Beetles
Appearance: Hard external shell. Range from 1 mm to 1 inch long depending on species. Various colors.
Signs of Infestation: Holes in pages and covers. Sawdust-like frass residue. Scraping sounds.
Damage: Larvae bore deep into book bindings and wood. Adults feed on surfaces and mold. Cause structural damage.
7. Clothes Moths
Appearance: Up to 0.5 inches long. Buff-colored wings. Larvae are white with brown heads.
Signs of Infestation: Adults fly erratically. Larvae spin silk cocoons on books and shelves.
Damage: Larvae chew through paper and fabric. Adults do not eat but lay eggs.
8. Booklice
Appearance: Tiny, under 1 mm in size. Translucent to white in color with relatively large mouthparts. Wingless.
Signs of Infestation: Found near moldy books and papers. Also under wallpaper and in pantries. May see them on surfaces near books.
Damage: Feed on book bindings, starchy pastes, and mold. Can destroy books over time.
9. Warehouse Beetles
Appearance: About 1 inch long with mottled gray forewings and silver/gray hindwings. Larvae are white with brown heads.
Signs of Infestation: Adults may be seen flying around book collections. Larvae leave silk cocoons on materials.
Damage: Larvae chew through books, papers, and fabrics before pupating. Adults do not eat.
10. Powderpost Beetles
Appearance: Very small, about 1⁄4 inch long. Reddish-brown color.
Signs of Infestation: Bore small holes in wood and paper. Piles of fine sawdust-like frass.
Damage: Larvae tunnel extensively through cellulose material causing major damage to books and shelving.
11. Carpet Beetles
Appearance: Round oval body covered with scales, giving a speckled/ hairy appearance. About 1/10 inch long.
Signs of Infestation: Damage to natural fabric fibers. Occasionally see adults on floors and shelves.
Damage: Feed on natural fabrics but may chew through book bindings, especially glue. Cause only minor damage.
12. Firebrats
Appearance: Silver-gray with darker mottled markings. Long antennae and flat body shape. Around 0.4 inches.
Signs of Infestation: Found in warm environments like near fireplaces and heaters. Leave stains on books.
Damage: Feed on book bindings, paper, and glue. Do not cause extensive damage.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Books
Once you have correctly identified the type of book bugs present, you can take appropriate steps to eliminate them and prevent future infestations. Here are effective methods:
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Lower humidity – Install dehumidifiers and fix any moisture issues. Most book insects cannot survive under 50% relative humidity.
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Clean thoroughly – Vacuum shelves, books, and surrounding areas to remove bugs, eggs, and debris.
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Use pesticides carefully – Apply residual sprays in cracks and crevices. Fumigate for severe beetle infestations. Avoid treatments that could damage texts.
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Discard heavily damaged books – Heavily tunneled and soiled books may need to be removed and replaced. Freezing or heating can kill bugs in less damaged books before returning to the shelf.
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Improve air circulation – Open windows when possible and use fans to prevent humid microclimates.
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Isolate new texts – Inspect incoming books closely and quarantine for at least a month before adding to the main collection.
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Clean regularly – Dust shelves and vacuum floors weekly to catch issues early and remove food sources.
With diligence and monitoring, even severe bookworm infestations can be conquered. The key is staying vigilant for signs of problems and taking action before bugs have a chance to destroy irreplaceable texts. Consistent maintenance and preventative care will help keep your book collections pest-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can bugs destroy books?
It depends on the type of insect and the size of the infestation. Termites can rapidly tunnel through hundreds of pages in just weeks. On the other hand, a minor silverfish infestation might take months to cause noticeable damage. Keeping populations low is key to preserving books.
Can you save damaged books?
Lightly damaged books with minimal staining or holes can often be repaired and restored. However, books with extensive tunnels, missing sections, and heavy staining may be beyond salvage. Assess each book individually to determine if restoration is worthwhile or possible.
Are bug sprays safe to use on books?
Exercise extreme caution with any pesticide use around valued texts. Chemicals that could potentially damage paper, inks, and bindings should be avoided. Lower-risk options like diatomaceous earth or freezing are safer starting points for treatment.
How do libraries prevent bookworms?
Libraries have to be extra vigilant to prevent infestations that could quickly destroy thousands of books. Methods include climate control, restricting food and drink, quarantining new acquisitions, regular cleaning and inspection, isolating damaged books, and monitoring for pest activity.
What’s the best way to store books to prevent bugs?
Keep your collection in a clean, dry, well-ventilated room away from moisture and food sources. Maintain a relative humidity under 50%. Shelve books off the floor on sealed shelves. Avoid packing books too densely, and rearrange them periodically to inspect for pest activity.
The Bottom Line
A bug problem can quickly escalate into a library disaster if left unchecked. Identifying insects early and taking prompt, careful action to reduce populations can help preserve your beloved books. With monitoring and maintenance, you can catch issues before irreparable damage occurs. Don’t let your collection fall victim to hungry bookworms!
How to reduce and control booklice in your home
The struggle for our clients is that in our region most Psocids are no more than 1-6 millimeters in size.
Therefore, without a magnifying lens, they are nearly impossible to properly identify. Along with their small size, to the untrained eye, these bugs could even be confused with bed bug nymphs.
However, to an entomologist, it is easy to spot the difference between booklice and bed bugs.
Psocids have a more elongated body with three defined segments, a pronounced head, and long “threadlike” antennae. Bed bug nymphs have a less elongated body, elbowed antennae, and do not appear to have a neck.
If you find booklice don’t panic—they are common in old and new homes alike and they don’t feed on humans or pose any real threat.
Simply call us at American Pest to inspect your home and help you identify problem spots that may attract these occasional home invaders. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to us. You can even submit a picture of what you think may be a Psocid here!