藏書者的苦惱

How to deal with large number of tiny insects in the books?

It sounds like you might be dealing with booklice, which are tiny insects that thrive in humid environment and feed on mold found in books and paper. Here are some steps to help you get rid of them:

Identify the infestation: Booklice are small, usually between 1 and 2 mm in length, and can be translucent, white, gray, or brown.

Reduce humidity: Since booklice thrive in moist environment, using a dehumidifier to keep the humidity below 50% can help eliminate them.

Clean and discard: Remove and discard heavily infested items. For items you want to keep, seal them in plastic bags and place them in the freezer for a couple of days to kill the insects.

Kill mold and mildew(黴菌): Clean areas with visible mold using vinegar, oxygen bleach, or borax(硼砂). Mold is a primary food source for booklice, so removing it can help control the infestation.

Vacuum regularly: Vacuum bookshelves and surrounding areas to remove any booklice and their eggs.

Natural Remedies: You can use natural sprays made from diluted peppermint, neem tree(印度苦楝樹), or tea tree oil to treat infested areas.

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