Booklouse (or Psocid)

Natural Habitat

Typically found in damp, humid indoor environments, such as bathrooms, basements, wall voids, and near plumbing. They also inhabit dry pantry goods, books, and stored paper products.

Diet & Feeding

They feed on microscopic mold, fungi, yeasts, starch, and organic debris found on paper, wallpaper paste, grains, and damp wood.

Behavior Patterns

Booklice are flightless and move in quick, jerky bursts when disturbed. They do not bite or sting. They tend to congregate in high-humidity areas where mold growth is likely, making their presence a sign of excess moisture.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Generally harmless to humans and pets (no biting or disease transmission), but they can be a nuisance pest and contaminate stored grains or food products. Large populations indicate moisture issues in a home. Benefits: They pose no structural threat and are a minor part of the decomposition ecosystem.

Identified on: 2/8/2026