Common household insects often target paper materials within homes and archives. While paper might seem an unlikely food source, several bugs are drawn to it due to its composition, glues, or starches. Understanding these pests is an important step in safeguarding valuable documents, books, and other paper-based items from damage.
Common Paper-Eating Insects
Several insects are known to consume paper, each with distinct characteristics and dietary preferences. Silverfish, small, wingless insects up to 3/4 inches long with a silvery, fish-like appearance, are common culprits. They primarily feed on cellulose, starches, and sugars found in paper, book bindings, and adhesives, often thriving in damp, humid, and dark environments. They may also consume ink, finding it more nutritious.
Booklice, also known as Psocids, are tiny, wingless insects, typically less than 1mm in length. Unlike silverfish, they do not directly eat paper; instead, they feed on mold and fungi that grow on damp paper and book surfaces. Their presence often indicates a moisture problem.
Termites are highly destructive pests attracted to cellulose, a primary component of wood and paper. They can chew through book covers, bindings, and pages, often causing extensive damage before detection. Their silent colonies pose a threat to paper collections.
Cockroaches, including common species like German, Oriental, and American cockroaches, also feed on paper products. They are drawn to the starches and glues found in paper, book bindings, and even wallpaper paste. Cockroaches prefer warm, humid, and dark environments, often hiding in cracks and crevices.
Identifying Signs of Infestation
Recognizing paper-eating insect activity allows for early intervention. Irregular holes, chew marks, or scraped surface areas on paper, books, or cardboard indicate pest presence. These marks range from small perforations to larger consumed areas.
Another common sign is the appearance of yellowish stains or tiny black specks, known as frass. Shed skins, particularly from silverfish or booklice as they grow and molt, may also be visible. Tunneling through paper is a specific sign of termite activity. Observing the insects themselves, especially in damp or undisturbed areas, confirms an active infestation.
Preventing Paper Damage
Proactive measures deter paper-eating insects. Controlling humidity levels in storage areas is a primary preventative step, as many pests thrive in moist environments. Using dehumidifiers and ensuring proper ventilation helps maintain dry conditions. Regular cleaning, including dusting and vacuuming, particularly where paper is stored, removes potential food sources like dust and mold spores.
Storing paper materials properly in dry, cool places and using airtight containers helps create a barrier against pests. Avoiding direct storage on floors or against walls reduces accessibility for crawling insects. Periodically exposing stored items to light, avoiding direct sunlight which can damage paper, can also help. Sealing cracks and crevices in walls and foundations eliminates potential entry points for insects.
Addressing Infestations
If a paper-eating insect infestation is discovered, prompt action can limit damage and prevent further spread. Carefully isolate and remove any affected items from the infested area to prevent pests from moving to other materials. Thoroughly clean the surrounding area, paying attention to hidden spaces. Using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter can effectively remove insects, eggs, and debris from surfaces and crevices.
For infestations involving booklice or silverfish, significantly reducing humidity and improving airflow in the affected space helps eliminate their preferred damp conditions. For severe or persistent infestations, especially those involving termites, contacting a professional pest control service is often necessary. Heavily damaged or infested items should be safely disposed of to prevent spread.