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 →We handle booklice control across Ivybridge, from newer estates to older terraces on the edge of Dartmoor. Each visit begins with a careful look at the room and its damp, followed by a straightforward explanation of what we will do and what you can do to help.
New estates, drying plaster and moorland weather
Newer homes hold a surprising amount of water in their plaster, screed and timber, and for the first year or two that moisture slowly leaves through the rooms. In Ivybridge, where several estates are fairly recent, that can mean humid cupboards and wardrobes, with a faint film of mould that nobody can see. Booklice love exactly that, and they can arrive in numbers before the house has fully dried.
Older terraces have their own version of the problem. Being so close to open moorland, Ivybridge sees plenty of damp, mild and misty weather, and homes that are not well ventilated can hold condensation on cold walls and behind furniture. Booklice are tiny, soft and pale, and they feed on mould on paper, card, stored food and wallpaper paste. They are not related to lice on people and do not bite.
A proper look in Ivybridge before treatment
We start by finding where the insects are gathering and why. That means checking cupboards, shelves, window frames, built-in wardrobes and the corners of rooms with the coldest walls. If a house is new, we explain how long the drying process tends to take and which rooms are most likely to stay humid in the meantime, so you are not left guessing about what is normal.
The treatment is targeted at the places where the insects live, rather than a blanket approach across the whole house. We then give you simple advice that works: clear out infested dry food, wipe over any mould, run extractor fans, open windows briefly each day, keep furniture a little way from outside walls and use a dehumidifier if the air stays heavy. Done together, these steps usually stop them coming back.
Covering Ivybridge and beyond
Our booklice work in Ivybridge covers the PL21 area, including flats, houses and small businesses with storerooms. If you are a landlord with a new-build rental or a tenant who has found insects after moving in, we can help. We also travel to Plymouth and Totnes, so if you are on the edge of town, just tell us where you are.
Frequently asked questions
Why do I have booklice in a brand new house in Ivybridge?
New builds release moisture from plaster and building materials for many months, and that helps mould and booklice appear. It is common and usually temporary. Good ventilation and, if needed, a dehumidifier help the house dry, and treatment clears the insects already there.
Are booklice dangerous to my children or pets?
No. Booklice do not bite and they are not known to harm people or pets. They are a nuisance and can spoil paper and open food, so throw away anything they have got into and keep cupboards dry and well aired.
Will a dehumidifier get rid of booklice on its own?
It will make life harder for them and is very useful, but it rarely clears a settled group on its own. Lasting results come from drying the room, cleaning mould away and treating the areas where the insects are actually living.