Booklouse

Natural Habitat

Damp, warm, and dark places with mold or fungus, such as old books, paper, stored foods, and sometimes in humid areas of homes.

Diet & Feeding

Fungi, mold, starch, glue (from book bindings), dead insects, and other organic detritus.

Behavior Patterns

Booklice are small, soft-bodied insects. They are usually wingless or have reduced wings. They are not known to bite humans. They thrive in high humidity and are often an indicator of moisture problems. They move quickly but are often unnoticed due to their small size.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can infest and damage stored paper products (books, documents), food (grains, cereals), and other organic materials, particularly in humid conditions. They do not transmit diseases to humans. Benefits: Generally none to humans, though they can be minor decomposers in natural environments.

Identified on: 9/17/2025