Book Lice or Psocids
Key Features
Booklice (Psocoptera) are very small (1.0 - 1.5mm) insects that are invariably wingless. Yellowish Brown in colour, booklice are
usually found in the humid areas of buildings, eg; kitchens and bathrooms.
Biology
Bed Bugs reproduce by parthenogenesis, ie; formed from unfertilised eggs - so all booklice are female.
Infested rooms may have booklice on or under wallpaper or in cracks &crevices in the furniture, behind skirting boards etc.
Large numbers of booklice can build up very quickly when conditions are ideal.
Distribution
Booklice are found all over the world, but in the UK most commonly in food production premises, or in domestic situations.
Significance
Often just a nuisance, but can be a serious problem within the food industry causing many customer complaints. Booklice present
only a minor risk of health problems but can cause serious contamination of foodstuffs
Control
Attaining control may be difficult. Good hygiene and stock rotation in food premises will help, as will reduction in humidity.
In domestic premises, destruction of food or freezing for three days will be successful.
