Insects Or Pests In Stamp Albums?

Hi Folks,

I use the Scott Specialty green binders and my pages are relatively new. After I was done working on one of them today As I closed it to put back in slipcase, I noticed a small live insect fall out of the album. It was roundish and about a quarter inch in size tan brown color


I have two of my albums out on the dining room table to work on. This room gets no use in the summer. But always put back in the slip cases when I'm finished.

It's summer here in New England and there are ants and bugs all around. Maybe this was a one off, but have any of you had insect problems with your albums, and if so what do you do?

Thanks

I have occasionally found the odd very small dead assorted beetle usually in stuff I purchase that wasn't stored particularly well but that's it. What you probably want to watch out for is any type of bug that eats paper (ie the various types of bookworms). I'd try to find out what type of bug it is if you still have it (insect forums can probably ID or maybe even a reverse image search with a photo of it?). Just keep an eye on the albums and do occasional flips through the pages for a bit to monitor. Hopefully it was just a lost and harmless bug that wanted to give philately a try!

Although this is obviously a different bug here, I have to say I am worried about silverfish and my albums. I do see them around the house occasionally.

Has anyone frozen their albums to get rid of bugs or mold? I think of sealing them in large ziploc bags first of course, but I am still nervous about what might happen.

Yes, silverfish are quite dangerous to paper. They are in my attic which is very hot. Never saw any near my stamp albums.

The little roundish tan bug I found is generally all around my kitchen and garden. I took the one in question and threw it on the back porch. I think it just wandered into the album. I flipped through both albums and all clear today. These bugs are in my mailbox out near the street as well. I will try to get a photo to identify if I can.

I think one of the best things in general is to flip through all your albums on a regular basis, if possible , even if you are not working on a particular one.

That's a good idea.

I have treatment out for the silverfish but obviously it's not doing the job; about to switch to another one.

Sounds like paperlice or booklice. They like mold and starch and bookbinding glue. Is the area where they are stored humid and moist? If so all you have to do in most cases is to reduce the humidity level and they will die without the use of insecticides. Google for images or more information.

The pest I found was not booklice.

The little roundish insects I have around my house are indeed some sort of beetle. roundish tan-ish light brown, and very fast moving. They are not gross like some insects. Almost cute for lack of a better word.. I will try to find one to I d.

GeorgeStamps:

Sounds like carpet beetles to me. They come in a wide range of colors (usually brown or black), but some with patterns. The larvae have dark colored bands and have a bristly appearance. Those bristles can cause allergic problems with some folks. The adults usually appear on windowsills and other areas where natural daylight is stronger. Larvae are commonly seen crawling on wall surfaces.

https://www.insectimages.org/browse...m=165&view=1