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Booklice (Psocids)
From time to time, people find that their food cupboards have
become infested with tiny brown or grey insects. These are often
found on the packaging of dry goods such as flour, powdered milk
and sugar.
What are Psocids?
What conditions encourage
Psocids?
How can I prevent
an infestation?
How can I get rid of an infestation?
Telephone: (023) 9244 6670
Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre Road,
Havant PO9 2AX
What are
Psocids?
Psocids, or more commonly booklice,
which are often between 1mm and 2mm long, can sometimes be found in
dry foods. They are not caused by poor hygiene and can be found in
the cleanest of homes old and new. They prefer to live in dark,
warm, humid places, such as the folds of packaging, in food
cupboards and dislike light and disturbance.
They feed on a wide variety of food
products such as flour and the microscopic moulds that develop in
humid conditions. They may live for about six months, during which
time the female can lay up to 100 eggs. Several independent studies
have shown that the psocid species, which causes the majority of
problems in the home, are rarely found where food is produced.
They can live for about six months and
in that time a female will lay up to 200 eggs. They feed on
microscopic moulds and mildews which flourish in warm, humid places
such as the domestic kitchen. They are not caused by poor hygiene;
they are just as common in the cleanest of homes. Research has
shown that the sorts of psocids (there are many different types)
found in homes are rarely found where food is produced, so they are
unlikely to be brought into the home in foods. They can be found in
old books, carpets and other furnishings in the home. (Booklice and
Dustlice are alternative names).
Conditions that encourage
Psocids
Psocids prefer areas with high
humidity. This could be caused by new plaster drying out, or could
be due to condensation from not having enough ventilation in the
kitchen. However, they can tolerate dry conditions for
some days. The kitchen environment is likely to provide the
conditions they need and some fitted cupboards provide the darkness
that attracts them. Some food products, including flour, naturally
contain moisture. In warm conditions they can rapidly increase in
number. This is most likely to occur during the summer months
leading to their discovery in the autumn.
Prevention of Psocids in the
Home
It is best to keep all dry foods in
cool, ventilated cupboards. Make sure cupboards are free from damp.
If you notice that condensation occurs in the kitchen, particularly
during cooking and washing, it is advisable to open your
windows.
Packets of food that have been opened
should be used quickly and avoid pushing them to the back of the
cupboard where they may be overlooked. Any potential hiding places
should be sealed with paint or mastic.
Many kitchen units are made from a
laminated chipboard with no lamination on the unseen sides. The
unfinished edges can provide hiding places and can be painted to
seal them.
Regular cleaning of cupboards is
advisable but do not make the cupboards wet, as this may encourage
growth. The use of a vacuum cleaner is recommended, provided the
contents are disposed of immediately in an outside bin.
Control
Measures
1. If these prevention measures fail
and you discover psocids in your food, do not use an insecticide
because of the danger of contaminating your food.
2. Dispose of all visibly infested
packets in an outside bin and clean cupboards thoroughly, paying
attention to crevices.
3. Make sure any foodstuffs are not
infested when returned to the cupboards and remove labels from
bins.
4. Dry goods can be treated by placing
them in a deep freeze in secure double sealed plastic bags for
twenty-four hours to kill any eggs and hiding psocids.
5. The freezer treatment can be used
on books and other objects you may suspect of being infested.
Telephone: (023) 9244 6670
Email: ehenvironment@havant.gov.uk
Visit: Civic Offices, Civic Centre
Road, Havant PO9 2AX