Booklice (or Barklice)
Scientific Name: Liposcelis spp. (Common household genus)
Order & Family: Psocoptera (Order), Liposcelididae (Family)
Size: Very small, typically 1 mm to 2 mm in length.
Natural Habitat
Found in warm, damp environments with high humidity like bathrooms, kitchens, basements, wall voids, and near old books or paper. They need moisture to survive.
Diet & Feeding
They feed on microscopic mold, fungi, starch, glue (like in book bindings), and dead plant or insect material found in dusty areas.
Behavior Patterns
They do not bite or fly (many species found indoors are wingless). They crawl quickly when disturbed. They thrive in humidity and serve as an indicator of dampness or mold growth.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Generally harmless to humans and pets as they do not bite or spread disease. They can contaminate dry food goods (grains/flour) and damage books/wallpapers in large numbers. Benefits: They act as decomposers in nature.
Identified on: 2/25/2026