Booklice (also called psocids) are tiny insects that thrive in humid, damp environments. Though they don’t bite or spread diseases, they can become a nuisance, especially in places with high moisture and poor ventilation — such as kitchens, storerooms, bedrooms, and packaging areas.
In this blog, we’ll explain:
What booklice are and where they come from
Why they appear in your property
Signs of a booklice infestation
How they affect homes and businesses
Effective treatment options
Tips to prevent recurrence
Booklice are tiny, pale-colored insects (usually 1–2 mm long) that feed on mold, mildew, and microscopic fungi. Despite their name, they are not true lice and they don’t live only in books.
They often appear in:
Wooden furniture or drawers
Paper, books, and documents
Cardboard food packaging
Kitchen cabinets and food storage
Wall cracks and damp corners
Under wallpaper or tiles
They multiply quickly in warm and humid environments, which makes them especially common in Malaysian homes and buildings.
Booklice are not attracted to dirt they are attracted to moisture.
Main causes include:
High indoor humidity (above 60%)
Water leaks in ceilings, pipes, or walls
Poor ventilation (especially in storerooms, kitchens, bedrooms)
Mold growth in hidden corners
Damp food packaging or cardboard
Recently renovated units with leftover moisture in the structure
They often appear in newly renovated houses, empty homes, or rooms that are closed for long periods.
| Sign | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Tiny insects | Very small, crawling on walls, books, or under cabinets |
| Powdery residue | May look like dust near wooden or paper surfaces |
| Moist smell | Musty smell in damp rooms (sign of mold/fungus) |
| Stained packaging | Food boxes or documents with spots or smears |
| Sudden appearance | Multiple tiny bugs crawling after rainy days or humidity spikes |
You might spot them on walls, ceilings, or near windows and lights. Most people notice them crawling near stored items or food packaging.
While booklice are not dangerous, they’re hard to eliminate without addressing the root cause moisture.
Our treatment includes:
Inspection – Identify moisture sources, breeding spots, and ventilation issues
Targeted Misting – Use of professional-grade water-based misting treatment
Crack & Surface Spray – Spot treatment in wooden cabinets and cracks
Humidity Control Advice – Recommendations for dehumidifiers or repairs
Follow-up Visit (if needed) – For severe or recurring cases
✔️ Safe for use in homes and F&B businesses
✔️ Effective even in sensitive areas like bedrooms or kitchens
✔️ Quick drying and low odour solutions
Booklice are commonly found in:
Restaurants & cafés – Especially inside food storage cabinets
Hostels & dorms – Closed rooms, moist bathrooms, poor airflow
Libraries & offices – Paper-heavy environments with AC + poor air circulation
Retail shops – Stored boxes and product packaging
New homes / renovations – Trapped moisture in wood or cement
If you’re in the F&B industry, booklice can affect hygiene ratings and customer perception — even if they’re harmless.
To reduce the chances of a future infestation:
Use a dehumidifier in closed or humid rooms
Improve air ventilation and let sunlight in
Fix leaks and water damage immediately
Avoid storing food in cardboard boxes
Remove moldy or damp paper/books
Use silica gel or moisture absorbers in wardrobes or drawers
Malaysia