Advice
What Are Booklice and Why Do They Appear?
Booklice are tiny, pale insects that feed on mould, and their appearance almost always points to a damp or humid problem somewhere in the property.
Read the guide →They do no harm to people and do not bite, but they do not go away on their own while mould is still growing. Our job is to treat the insects and help you remove whatever is feeding them. Nothing more is needed.
Damp in the Creedy valley
Crediton is a Mid Devon market town in the Creedy valley, with an older high street, newer housing and farmland close by. Valley locations can bring damper air through the colder months, and that moisture finds its way into spare rooms, lofts, garages and cupboards that are seldom opened, particularly in older buildings with solid walls. We see this pattern often in towns like Crediton.
Newer homes are not immune. Fitted wardrobes against external walls, a bathroom without a good extractor, or a house that has had plastering or decorating recently can all hold humidity. Over a few weeks that can allow mould to bloom on paper, card and wallpaper paste, and booklice follow soon afterwards without anyone noticing. Once the humidity falls, the mould dries out and the insects lose their food source, which is why we stress the damp so much.
What happens on the day
We talk through what you have noticed, then inspect the rooms in question, including shelving, wardrobes, windowsills, stored boxes and any dry food. We look at wall surfaces, window condensation and ventilation. If the insects are not booklice, we will explain what they are and whether they need treatment at all, or whether you can manage yourself. Honest advice matters more than a treatment that is not needed.
If they are, we apply a targeted treatment in the places where they are living, which is more effective than spraying a whole room. We then give you plain steps: clean off mould, bin infested food, move boxes from cold walls and keep air moving. Crediton customers can ask us anything before and after the visit. We never leave without making sure you know what is happening and what comes next.
Preventing a repeat
The most reliable prevention is dryness. Use extractor fans, wipe condensation from windows, and avoid drying washing in closed rooms. A small dehumidifier is a sensible purchase for a problem room. Beyond Crediton, we also work in Cullompton, Exeter and Okehampton, so if the same issue affects a second home or a family member, we can help there too. Little changes matter.
Frequently asked questions
How did booklice get into my Crediton house in the first place?
They are tiny and can arrive on cardboard, books, plants or food, or find their way in from outside. Whether they stay depends on damp. If your rooms are dry and well ventilated, they usually cannot build up numbers.
Should I use a spray from the shop?
Shop sprays may knock back a few insects but do not remove the mould that feeds them, so they often return. A proper look at where they live and why is more useful. We can advise you or treat as needed.
Do booklice come from my pet or my bed?
No. Booklice do not live on people or animals and are not found in bedding because of anyone's hygiene. If you see them in a bedroom, look for damp walls, wardrobes against cold surfaces or stored paper nearby.