Booklouse

Natural Habitat

Typically found in damp, warm, undisturbed places inside homes, such as around books, paper, stored food, wallpaper, and areas with mold or mildew.

Diet & Feeding

Feeds on microscopic mold, fungi, starches, glues in books and wallpaper, and remnants of organic matter.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal activity, prefers dark and humid environments. They are generally harmless to humans but can infest stored products and cause aesthetic damage to books and paper by feeding on starches and glues. They reproduce quickly in favorable conditions.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include contamination of stored food products and damage to household items like books, paper, and textiles. They are not known to bite humans or transmit diseases. They offer no significant direct benefits to humans or the ecosystem in a domestic setting.

Identified on: 9/12/2025