Here's another downside to having mold in your home: Psocoptera
Not everyone is aware Psocoptera can be found hiding behind old books and/humid areas in the home. Also called "book lice", Psocoptera can cause a lot of harmful damage and need to be swiftly dealt with when detected!
Are Psocoptera dangerous for humans? And what type of damage can they cause in our home? Here, we will answer these questions - keep reading:
What are Psocoptera?
Psocoptera are insects - parasites - about 1/2 millimetre in size, and colored white (hence the analogy with lice). Some species can be a light brown are closer to a "creamy" color.
Can Psocoptera harm humans? Well, the answer is (thankfully) no, they are not harmful to our health. However, they can quickly infest a humid environment as they hatch and grow into adults in less than 15 days!
Dealing with a colony of these parasites often means you have two problems to solve. You see, Psocoptera feed on mold...
How to eliminate Psocoptera
Attracted to particularly humid places, Psocoptera seek out mold and love eating old damp and battered books (and are particularly fond of book binding materials).
If you find mold in your home - and especially if in, on or around your bookcases - be aware that this is the perfect breeding ground for Psocoptera!
In the event of a Psocoptera infestation, you don't need to use insectcides: all you need to do is eliminate the source of their food. Clean away all mold and ventilate humid areas - this should do the trick.
Getting a dehumidifier could be the optimum solution to your humidity (and Psocoptera) problems at home: Psocoptera hate dry environments and will quickly move on. That said, if you have a major Psocoptera infestation, contact a pest control specialist as soon as possible.
