Tiny pest, big problem- Moths, Silverfish, Booklice and Woodworms

Tiny pests such as moths, silverfish, booklice and woodworm can cause big problems if you have an infestation. They can be found in many locations around the home. Vulnerable materials include; wool, fur, feather, silk, dried plant, carpets, rugs, paper and wood.

Moths

Moths are likely to damage clothes and carpets. Interestingly, it is not adult moths that eat clothing and carpet but moth larvae.  The larvae are white in colour and grub like in shape. Adult moths are small in size and tend to get into the home through windows and doors. They thrive in dark and undisturbed locations. Clean items are less likely to be attacked so it is good practice to keep any stored items (once they have been washed and dried) in sealed containers to avoid infestation.

Silverfish and booklice

Both silverfish and booklice can survive both outside and inside. They love damp environments outside like compost and under stones but they can also survive indoors providing they have enough moisture. If you do find them in your home it means you could have damp issues.

Silverfish love to eat glue, starch and microscopic moulds. Likely to be found feasting on books or lino flooring. They need moisture, warmth and a good food source to survive and commonly cause problems in the kitchen and bathroom.

Booklice feed on paper, flour and cardboard. They do not seem to cause as much damage as silverfish but can still cause unsightly stains, especially in books. There have been reports of large numbers of booklice found in new or refurbished houses due to the strawboard used as building materials.

Woodworm

Like the moth, it is actually the woodworm larvae that cause the damage to items not the adults. As their name suggests, woodworm can be found in a variety of woods around the home. The larvae create tunnels, which in turn can cause structural damage if they are harbouring in floorboards or roof timber. They need moisture to survive so they will not usually be found in dry locations. Damp and cold are optimum conditions for them. Difficult to establish activity in the winter months as they tend to hibernate.

If you think you have a pest problem, please give us a call.