(Trogium pulsatorium and other species)
Biology:
Dust lice and book lice are lively, hemimetabolous insects about 1 to 2 mm long, some species of which have fully developed wings, whereas in other species these are reduced or completely absent. Their color varies from pale yellow to dark. In contrast to head lice, dust lice do not suck blood, but feed on barely visible mold that occurs in excessively humid environments. They are therefore only found in rooms with high humidity and can often be seen between books, on cereal-based foods, on light-colored wallpaper, etc.
damage:
In rooms with high humidity, dust lice and book lice cause scraping damage to paper goods such as books, files and wallpaper when “grazing” on invisible mold. This produces fine paper dust as well as soiling from excrement and moulting residues. They are often found in large numbers on musty food and drugs stored in damp conditions in storage cupboards. In freshly wallpapered, insufficiently dried out new-build apartments, mass propagation often occurs.
Tip:
The harmless insects can be controlled relatively easily by proper heating and ventilation, as they are dependent on high humidity.
