HOW TO GET RID OF BOOKLICE
In Singapore, booklice are a common species of pest that are usually found in households and office spaces.
If left unchecked, they can reproduce quickly and lead to infesting and contaminating stored food and household items.
You can also spot these pests on your walls that look like tiny black dots and when accumulated, bigger black patches.
These pests need high levels of moisture to thrive and won’t survive if the moisture levels are low.
They require the presence of mold as that is their primary source of food and also tend to feed on starch present in book bindings.
Based on the temperature and humidity of the surrounding environment, booklice can take anywhere between 1 month to 3 month to hatch and grow into adulthood.
how to indentify booklice in singapore
They are not generally any bigger than six millimetres and have soft bodies and have two pairs of membranous wings. However, in some species, there is a loss of the wings.
They tend to have eyes that are poorly developed, have long and threadlike antennae.
They run along exposed surfaces in a jerky, halting manner, and sometimes appear to hop.
These insects feed on microscopic moulds, fungi, dead insect fragments, pollen, and other starchy foods found in humid environments such as houses, warehouses, and even libraries.
Damp basements, crawl spaces, leaky and sweating plumbing, potted house plants, cereal, flour, bird nests, furniture stuffings of natural plant fibre, paste on book bindings, grains, wallpaper, etc. may harbour booklice.
Booklice don’t consume book material as their name suggests, but rather eat any microscopic spores of mould present in the books.
That’s one of the reasons why you’ll always find booklice and mold in the same location.
yes, i'm having a booklice infection in singapore,
how do i get rid of these pests?
Fortunately, unlike head lice and fleas, booklice aren’t a parasite and don’t pose an immediate threat to our health.
However, they can be destructive because of their consumption habits. Booklice are slow eaters, but they can damage crops, books, and the structural security of plaster and wallpaper.
These are some solutions to your booklice problems, however if the infestation is too overwhelming, contact us for an inspection and effective treatment.
1. Remove any infested items from your premises
Throwing out any items such as your books and food that could be infested with Booklice can help soothe the situation. This prevents these pests from multiplying in numbers and causing a greater nuisance in your premises. The last thing you want in your home are uncontrollable booklice eggs!
2. Reduce moisture in your home
Booklice tend to thrive in moist and humid areas.
By installing a dehumidifier in your premises, this destroys the environment booklice like to live in, and it can help cut down on mold and mildew.
3. Kill all mould infected areas
Use an A-Grade chemical to kill the mold and mildew growing in your home.
Removing mould in general is good for our overall health and well-being. Practise keeping your home mould free.
You can also engage in a professional cleaning company like EcoSense to get the job done.
Mr. Muscle Mold & Mildew Foaming Bleach – NTUC FAIRPRICE – $4.50
4. Spring clean & vacuum regularly
Clean infested areas as with your premises regularly to a clear any dead booklice and/or booklice eggs.
As booklice are often found in kitchens due to the added humidity and moisture in that area, cleaning it throughly can also help your situation. Whilst doing a thorough clean, ensure that the area is well ventilated by opening doors and windows.
4. Contact a Pest Control Specialist
This is the quickest and effective way to control and remove all your pests, including booklice, from your house.
It is important to choose an experienced and professional pest controller to assist with your pest issue.
Should your infestation be too overwhelming for you to attend to, contact us for an inspection and affordable, effective treatment.
It is ideal to do a follow up inspection over 4-6 months to check if the infestation is still persists.
Wipeout Pest Control Services provides Professional, Quality and affordable Pest Control Services and management in Singapore since 1995. Our technicians are certified to carry out and assist you in eradicating pests.
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