Booklice
Periplaneta americana, Linnaeus
If you have ever wondered why some of your books or papers seem to be falling apart, the answer might be booklice. Booklice find homes in old books, moldy papers, and damp places by invading through goods, such as groceries, brought into the house.
RISK LEVEL:
LOW
MEDIUM
HIGH
Risk is defined as how much damage each pest can be to you, your family, or your home
- You may notice pages of your books falling out or having small marks.
- Found in moist environments.
- Typically live in warmer environments.
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| Class: | Order: | Family: | |
| Insecta | Psocoptera | Various | |
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| Size: | Booklice (psocid) adults are about 1/32-1/4 in (1-6 mm) long. |
| Color: | Varies with species, but many are brown, or creamy yellow with brown bands. |
| Characteristics: | Booklice (psocids) have soft bodies that look like tiny termite workers; their heads are more or less bulging, with chewing mouthparts; antennae are long and threadlike with 11-50 segments; prothorax is small, looking like a neck; 4 wings, if present, are cellophane-like, and held up like a roof over the body when at rest; front wing is larger than hind wing, and has few veins. Nymphs look like adults except they do not have wings. |
| Geographic Range: | All over the world and the U.S., in which there are about 287 species. |
| Food: | Mold is the primary food of most species. |
| Biology: | Most booklice require a relative humidity of at least 50-60%, due to loss of body moisture through their exoskeletons. High humidity is also necessary for the growth of the mold on which they feed. When humidity drops too low they may migrate in large numbers. Adults usually die in winter, although the eggs and small nymphs can survive cold temperatures. When warm weather comes they can mature within 3-4 weeks. Some species do not require males for reproduction in part or all of their geographic range. Typically, outdoor species have wings, while indoor species have wings that are reduced or absent. Eggs are laid either bare or encrusted, with or without webbing. They mature in 4-6 nymphal instars. |
Prevention Tips For
Fabric & Paper Pests
Fabric & Paper Pests
- Use dehumidifiers in moist areas to make conditions unfavorable for infestation
- Periodically inspect natural products such as linens, leather, etc for carpet beetles
- Keep natural clothing (linen, leather) in heavily zippered garment bags
- Use repellent materials in garment bags at all times
It only takes a few minutes to start protecting your home today.
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