Which bugs look like lice and are on my interior wall?

Asker: Hacer, 31 years old

Answer

Best,

I suspect that these are dust lice (order Psocoptera), but the photo is too unclear to be 100% sure. Perhaps you should compare the insect with a picture of dust lice on the internet.

Dust lice are among the most primitive of insects; they are always found in places where there is a high relative humidity, eg in the litter layer. These dust lice are also sometimes found in homes in places with high relative humidity, such as bathrooms, damp homes (e.g. new homes where the plaster is still drying), etc.

These dust lice have nothing in common with other lice and do not cause problems in humans. They live on fungi and mold spores that are often present in nature, also in homes with high relative humidity (e.g. behind wallpaper). The moment the relative humidity in the house goes down (eg by ventilation or drying), the dust lice also disappear.

kind regards,

Hans

Answered by

Hans Castels

identification of pest insects in agriculture and horticulture, stock goods and homes

Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research
Burg. van Gansberghelaan 96 box 1 9820 Merelbeke
http://www.ilvo.vlaanderen.be

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