Booklouse

Natural Habitat

Damp, dark, and undisturbed areas, often found in books, stored food products, wallpaper, and areas with mold growth. They thrive in high humidity.

Diet & Feeding

Fungi, mold, starch-based materials (like paper bindings, wallpaper paste, cereal products), and microscopic organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Booklice are wingless or have reduced wings and are mostly nocturnal. They are quick-moving when disturbed but otherwise tend to remain still. They are often found in groups in suitable damp conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can infest stored food, books, and other household items, potentially damaging them through feeding on mold or the materials themselves. They are not known to bite humans or transmit diseases. Benefits: Act as decomposers in some environments, feeding on mold and other organic debris.

Identified on: 11/18/2025