Booklouse
Scientific Name: Psocoptera (various species)
Order & Family: Order Psocoptera, various families (e.g., Liposcelididae)
Size: Typically 1-2 mm, though some species can be larger.
Natural Habitat
Damp, warm, and dark environments, often found in books, papers, stored food products, furniture, wall voids, and under wallpaper.
Diet & Feeding
Mold, fungi, starch-based materials (e.g., book bindings, paper, wallpaper paste, cereal products), and microscopic organic debris.
Behavior Patterns
Nocturnal; they thrive in high humidity and are often found in large numbers where mold or mildew is present. They are not known to bite humans or pets.
Risks & Benefits
Potential risks include contamination of food products and damage to books and other paper goods, especially in high humidity. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans. They have no significant known benefits.
Identified on: 9/17/2025