An avid reader warned shoppers to take a closer look at their second-hand books after she made a shocking discovery in three new purchases.
Izzy (@pickme.chooseme.readwme) insisted the situation was ‘not a drill’ while explaining her second-hand book shopping experience in a viral video.
The book lover purchased three books without looking through them and says she found bookworms inside afterward.
‘I found three in three different books, and now I have to check my books, freeze my books; I want to cry,’ Izzy said.
Izzy also claimed that her friend suggested she freeze second-hand books and that she regrettably ignored her advice.
Izzy believed the bookworms she allegedly found were silverfish, which Fox Pest Control called a ‘serious threat’ to book collections.
No matter the insect, Izzy claimed the incident left her ‘stressed out’ and frightened to open another book during her August 23 TikTok video.
‘I wanted to jump off a bridge… I almost cried about 10 times,’ the book enthusiast wrote.
Because of the alleged issue, Izzy insisted she would no longer purchase second-hand books and ‘sprayed lavender’ on her bookshelves.
The TikToker also claimed she didn’t find any bookworms in the other second-hand books she purchased that day.
Some of the hundreds of insects that can be found taking bites out of books include beetles, moths, cockroaches, and termites.
Readers who are searching for these insects should watch out for things like holes and anything resembling shallow losses along a binding’s surface.
Books should be stored in a climate-controlled environment and kept in an area with a 70-degree temperature, according to Artifact Services.
Experts warn against keeping books packed in basements or attics.
Books placed on dry shelves are less likely to have bookworms fill their pages, since they are less likely to become damp or have mold.
Controlling moisture, using natural repellants, avoiding direct sunlight, and keeping food and drinks away from your stacks can help to keep the bugs away
Other TikTok users shared their own bookworm stories, admitting they’re ‘so scared’ to open books.
‘I think I’ve seen bug corpses near my books not knowing what it was and now I’m worried,” a TikToker wrote.
At least five other TikTokers claimed freezing books was not a good idea and that it would only make the situation worse.
‘Guys this only happens to old books!!! so only thrifted or vintage books, freezing them will make them moist and eventually get mold so maybe don’t do that. dust your shelves regularly to avoid them,’ a commenter wrote.
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