Question
bugs in cup
Dear Mr DeAngelis,
I'm hoping you can help me to identify some tiny little creatures I found in my kitchen cupboard. This particular cupboard is home to my cups, mugs and other crockery, with the occasional food item: most food is stored in the pantry but if something has been opened it goes into that cupboard. I got a cup out this morning and saw what looked like flecks of dirt. I was about to rinse it out when I realised those 'flecks of dirt' were moving.
I cleaned out the whole cupboard, bleached everything, and found more of the bugs in some coffee (it was a cafetiere refill bag not a glass jar, so wasn't sealed so they had easy access). I couldn't see any evidence of them in any other food but I threw everything away to make sure. Now I'm trying to find out what they were, in case they come back. So, I'm hoping you may be able to advise me on what these bugs are, if they are harmful, and if there is anything I can do to prevent their return/get rid of them completely. I've enclosed a couple of photo's, but will also describe them as they're difficult to see in the pics. They're very tiny bugs, probably about one mm long, if that. They're a pale, biscuity brown colour, and quite fast moving. I am in the UK, (England, East midlands area).
Thankyou very much for your time, I look forward to your reply
Kind regards
Jacqueline
AnswerJacqueline,
I can't see much detail in the image but from your description my guess is these are booklice, also called psocids. Booklice are not related to true lice and do not bite. They feed on moldy, starchy material so are common in older buildings that are damp. They can damage old books which is where the name comes from. In kitchens they are sometimes associated with a leaky pipe/dishwasher that is causing mold growth so check around for this possibility. No treatment is needed other than reducing moisture as much as possible. Post a follow up if you have questions.
Jack DeAngelis
