Book Lice/Mold Mites in bathroom

[desertdwellerdyl]

Anyone have experience on here with booklice or mold mites (atleast thats what I think it is). Have some popping up in the master bathroom but have cleaned thoroughly (Vinegar & Bleach used separately) and don’t see any signs of mold or mildew. They keep coming up everyday since Sunday evening but not spreading. Pest control coming to confirm identification tomorrow. (Small white stuff is Borax powder but doesn’t seem to be working.) It has been raining a lot recently in Tucson, but not many people around me have heard of these bugs. Thanks for any help as its kinda driving me crazy lol. For size reference these are taken at 3x and higher magnification. Additionally, home was completed last September.

 

[Weldor]

Termites?

 

[S-3 ranch]

You got a lot of cardboard boxes laying around, book lice love cardboard and will hitchhike around in it

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Termites?

You think? These seem too small? They are almost 1/16” long

 

[cbat]

Those look like False Cinch Bugs. Harmless but still a bug. You have been getting rain recently ? Tempo helps control them but they repopulate quickly.

 

[Weldor]

Kind of looks like a worker termite? It is that time of the year Monsoon season.

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

Kind of looks like a worker termite? It is that time of the year Monsoon season.

I think they are smaller. It is monsoon season but they're out in the open on coutner tops. I had AZ Pest Control come out yesterday and he didn't think they were termites. My house is also new and still under the initial treatment.

 

[Weldor]

I get it, treatments really don't work since they can't use real chemicals anymore. I've inspected new homes full of termites. Really bad on the SW side. Hope they are not for sure. Exterminator could not identify them? Hit up the UofA they are usually helpful.

 

[BBob]

In Tucson hit up Do It Yourself Pest and Weed Control. The guy that ran the store on Ajo was great if he’s still there.

Permethrin will likely be what they recommend. When sprayed and once it dries it’s safe for vertebrates. Diatomaceous earth sprinkled along walls and paths used by bugs will kill bugs too. I’m assuming they aren’t termites. Termites might need something else but termites don’t crawl on countertops either.

 

[desertdwellerdyl]

I get it, treatments really don't work since they can't use real chemicals anymore. I've inspected new homes full of termites. Really bad on the SW side. Hope they are not for sure. Exterminator could not identify them? Hit up the UofA they are usually helpful.

That's a good idea I will! The inspector didn't give me a definitive answer but assured me that they could kill it and he seemed knowledgable about termites and other pests etc... so they're coming out to perform a service tomorrow morning.

Everything I've read about book lice has been that they are connected to a humid spot. I'm having AC issues in the master bedroom and the bugs are in the master bathroom. In addition to the lack of airflow in the master suite, the humidity has been high in my house like 60%. In June I was working a lot of OT so I didn't do anything about the AC but a tech is coming out Monday. I have the Honeywell smart thermostats and the humidity was reading incorrectly (it read 80% at times) so I got a remote sensor and that seems accurate with the other hygrometer I'm running.

My house is still under warranty so I may have them disconnect my bathroom sink/countertop from the wall so we can look behind it. I've only seen the bugs on the countertop and the toilet lid but that's it, they haven't spred at all.

I am gonna reach out to UoA. I didn't realize their bug department was that well renowned.

 

[Weldor]

In Tucson hit up Do It Yourself Pest and Weed Control. The guy that ran the store on Ajo was great if he’s still there.

Permethrin will likely be what they recommend. Diatomaceous earth sprinkled along walls and paths used by bugs will kill bugs too. I’m assuming they aren’t termites. Termites might need something else but termites don’t crawl on countertops either.

View attachment 908144

Food grade Diatomaceuos earth works great for a lot of bugs and scorpions. No crickets no scorpions LoL. I don't know if 5-star pest control is still around? But their foam works outstanding for termites or any other bug