Tiny bugs, damp problem
Booklice point to humidity and mold, so the real fix starts with drying things out.
Not lice, not bed bugs.
Booklice don’t bite people, live on pets or feed on blood.
They follow moisture.
Mold on paper, boxes, walls and stored food is what they eat.
Dry it out.
Lower humidity, fix leaks and toss moldy items, and booklice fade away.
Booklice are tiny, pale, soft-bodied insects that feed on mold and mildew in humid spots. They don’t bite, they aren’t true lice, and they aren’t bed bugs.
Booklice are not covered on our home pest control plans. The real fix is moisture control. Here’s how to confirm what you have and dry it out.
What do booklice look like?
Booklice are smaller than a sesame seed, pale white, tan or gray, and usually wingless. They have a large head and move in quick, jerky bursts.
You’ll often see them on paper, books, cardboard boxes, windowsills and damp walls. Many people first notice them as moving specks on an old box or a basement shelf.
Are booklice bed bugs or lice?
No, booklice are neither bed bugs nor head lice. They don’t bite people or pets, and they don’t feed on blood.
Bed bugs are flat, reddish brown and larger, with signs on mattress seams and bed frames. If you find bugs near your bed and can’t tell, read bugs in the bedroom that aren’t bed bugs. If it is bed bugs, our bed bug control team can help.
Why do I have booklice?
Booklice show up where humidity is high enough for mold to grow. The mold is their food, so damp rooms and stored paper are a perfect fit.
Common spots in Kansas City homes:
- Basements and crawl space areas with damp air
- Bathrooms and laundry rooms with poor ventilation
- Boxes of books, papers and photos stored on concrete
- Pantries with old cereal, flour or grains
- Newer homes where walls and wood are still drying
See more about damp areas in our basement pests post.
How do you get rid of booklice?
The fastest way to get rid of booklice is to lower humidity, since they dry out and die in drier air. A dehumidifier, better airflow and a fixed leak do more than any spray.
- Run a dehumidifier in basements and damp rooms
- Use bathroom fans and open closets for airflow
- Throw out moldy books, boxes and food
- Move storage off concrete into sealed plastic bins
- Vacuum shelves, corners and windowsills
Seeing other bugs in the same damp spots? Silverfish, centipedes and drain flies are covered on our plans. Read are silverfish harmful for one common lookalike.
Other moisture pests to know: silverfish and springtails. Holes in sweaters instead? See clothes moths.
Not sure what the tiny bugs are? Call 913-735-5451, answered 24/7, or schedule online. Most services can be scheduled same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, booklice don’t bite people or pets. They feed on mold, mildew and starchy materials like book bindings and paste.
Booklice are harmless to people but can damage old books, papers and stored food. A large number is mostly a sign of a humidity problem.
Keeping indoor humidity below about 50 percent is a common target, since booklice struggle in drier air. A dehumidifier with a humidity readout makes this easy to track.
No, booklice are not covered on Rock Pest home pest control plans. Drying out the space and removing moldy items is the fix that works.
Booklice can spread to other damp spots, but they don’t survive long in dry rooms. Fixing moisture in each problem area keeps them from coming back.
