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Kraigmo's avatar

What's the best OTC pesticide for book mites?

Asked by Kraigmo (9055points) June 15th, 2011

I have bookmites (small red bugs that look like the size of dust, but they move fast) on my windowsills and front porch. I also have a another group of tiny bugs, that look like sea monkeys with feet, running around the same area. I realize i can spray any old pesticide on them and that will kill them on contact, but I do not want that. I want a pesticide that the bugs carry to their nests and feed to their bug brethren, leading to their Jonestown-style deaths. These usually come in the form of of powders or plastic disks.

Are there any good products anyone knows of that I can pick up at the supermarket, drug store, or hardware store?

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7 Answers

Kraigmo's avatar

PS the other bug i have near the bookmites…. they’re Springtails

Coloma's avatar

Sevin dust.

Very low toxicity, can be used on veggies, not ideal, but short of a Gecko….

Hey, I have an abundance of lizards over here, maybe we can barter. lol

Pied_Pfeffer's avatar

Book mites are attracted to areas that are warm and moist. When I found them on the windowsill, it was just a matter of spraying them with a general cleaning product and wiping them away on a regular basis. It didn’t take long to stop them. If you live in a humid environment, it might be worth investing in a dehumidifier.

Having never heard of Springtails before, I had to look them up. Here is an article on them that might shed some insight on how to battle them. From what it says, I would give the front porch a thorough scrubbing to rid it of the mold, mildew and fungus that attracts them.

Kraigmo's avatar

Thanks Coloma and Pied Pfeffer. I’ll look into Sevin dust. And the article there was very informative. Since these things eat away at fungus, mold, etc., maybe I should let them do their thing for a few weeks before i take any action.

Coloma's avatar

@Kraigmo

Well, while your controlling the book mites just remain aware of the magic of bio-diversity. lol

Pied_Pfeffer's avatar

@Kraigmo The scariest thing about that article was that the Springtails could infest the house and the owner wouldn’t necessarily know right away. If the causes of attraction are addressed now, it may save you from calling on a professional.

Kraigmo's avatar

@Pied_Pfeffer , you talked it into me. I’ll get the poisons pronto

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