Termites in Books and Bookshelves: How to Protect Your Collection

Paper and cardboard are made of cellulose, the same material termites feed on in wood. A shelf of books against a damp wall is therefore an excellent meal. Damage can be quiet and total: pages tunnelled, spines hollowed and bookshelves weakened from within.

This guide explains how to spot problems and protect a collection.

The short answer

Termites attack books when shelves or books touch damp walls, floors or infested wood. Signs include mud tubes on or behind the shelf, tunnelled pages, damaged spines, dirt-like specks between books and a musty smell. To protect books, keep shelves away from damp walls and floors, use treated or metal shelving, fix moisture, check regularly and treat the building if termites are present. Move affected books away from healthy ones and ask a professional about the source.

Why books are at risk

• Cellulose: Paper and cardboard are food.
• Darkness and stillness: Books on shelves are rarely disturbed.
• Contact with walls and floors: Easy access from soil and wall cavities.
• Humidity: Bangalore's monsoon dampness helps termites.
• Wooden shelves: Frames may be attacked first.

Signs to check

1. Mud tubes on the back of the shelf, wall or between books
2. Tiny tunnels or holes in pages and covers
3. Crumbling edges and hollow spines
4. Small pellets or dirt-like debris
5. Soft or hollow shelves
6. Musty smell and damp

How to protect your collection

• Keep bookshelves a few centimetres from walls and off the floor.
• Use metal or treated wood shelves in vulnerable rooms.
• Keep the room dry and ventilated, and fix leaks.
• Avoid storing books in cardboard boxes on the floor, particularly on the ground floor.
• Inspect shelves regularly, especially lower ones.
• Keep a few books out and move them around, which disturbs hiding spots.
• Treat the building if termites are known in the area.

If you find termites

1. Move affected books and any nearby items away from the area.
2. Do not move them to other shelves or rooms.
3. Photograph the signs.
4. Contact a termite professional for inspection and treatment.
5. Ask a conservator or a specialist about valuable or rare books.

Valuable collections

For rare or irreplaceable books, consult a conservator. Methods such as controlled freezing or other treatments may be used by specialists. Do not apply chemicals directly to books.

When to call a professional

Call as soon as you see mud tubes or tunnels. The colony may be in the wall or floor and can spread to other furniture and the structure.

Frequently asked questions

Can termites eat hardbound books?

Yes. They can eat the paper, cloth and board.

Are silverfish the same problem?

They also damage paper, but differ from termites. A professional can identify which one.

Is a closed glass cabinet safe?

It helps against dust but not termites that enter from below or behind.

Can I use mothballs?

They are not a reliable termite control and have safety concerns. Avoid relying on them.

This guide is part of IPest's complete resource on termite control. For identification help, prevention and treatment options, see our full termite treatment guide for Bangalore.