What are dust mites and how can they be controlled?
Mites are tiny insects in the tick and spider family, considered responsible for a multitude of symptoms, from itching to rashes caused by bites, because they are so small and hard to notice. There are thousands of different species of mites, and each species has different eating, biting, and blood-sucking habits.
It is possible for them to transmit diseases to animals and humans they come into contact with. Although mite-related conditions are not extremely common, these insects can still be dangerous to human health if they appear in large numbers. To combat mites, strict personal hygiene is recommended, as well as inspecting spaces in the home.
Table of contents
- What are mites?
- How are mites identified?
- Habitat, diet, and life cycle
- Can mites be harmful to health?
- How much should we worry about mites?
- How can mite infestation be prevented?
- What are the most common types of mites?
1. What are mites?
Mites are small arthropods related to ticks. Several types of mites can be found in homes, and of these, a few can bite humans. Most mites are harmless insect predators or feed on decaying plant material. Some pest mites feed on stored products, such as cheese and grains.
Others are simply unnoticed and unobtrusive pests that accidentally enter homes from their normal outdoor habitat. Only a few species of mites are parasitic on birds or mammals; but these can occasionally become biting pests in homes. Identifying the type of mite and/or the probable host is the first step in resolving an indoor mite infestation.
2. How are mites identified?
With an appearance similar to that of ticks, but much smaller, mites have a bulbous, round, or pill-shaped body. Classified as arachnids, mites have eight jointed legs. Their size varies by species, but most mites are usually invisible to the naked eye.
The largest mites measure about 6 mm long, while the smallest measure about 0.1 mm. The color of mites also varies greatly; most mites have a tan, brown, or reddish-brown appearance, but some species are bright red, blue, or green. Personal hygiene does not always influence the appearance of mites.
3. Habitat, diet, and life cycle
Habitat
Mites are ubiquitous and live in almost all habitats, including deep soil and aquatic environments. As parasites of birds, mammals, and flying insects, mites can spread wherever host animals travel. These arachnids live either in the host's environment, such as a bird's nest, or on the host itself. Some species, such as scabies mites and those that live in harvest mites or red bugs, can burrow under human skin and tissues. Mites that commonly affect humans often live in carpets, furniture, and mattresses.
Diet
Mites thrive by forming parasitic relationships with other organisms. Specific diets vary by species. Mites that are problematic for humans feed on blood to sustain themselves. Most biting mites actually prefer to feed on other animals and resort to biting humans when alternative options are scarce. Mites found in homes, such as dust mites, feed on flakes of dead skin from humans and pets.
Life cycle
The mite life cycle consists of four stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The eggs hatch into six-legged larvae, which molt several times before entering the eight-legged nymph stage. As nymphs, mites molt one to three more times before turning into eight-legged adults. Development from egg to adult usually takes a few weeks; however, under ideal conditions, development time can shorten to just a few days. After reaching adulthood, mites can live for several months.
Kintensiv Advice: Always keep anti-mite solutions on hand in the house to ensure you eliminate the problem as quickly as possible after the appearance of the first symptoms.
4. What are the most common types of mites?
Clover mites
An invasion of clover mites in the house is more than likely to induce panic; and, while they do not bite and do not carry diseases, they can be at least annoying! As their name suggests, they feed on clover, as well as ivy, grass, fruit trees, and other plants.
Clover mites tend to enter homes when their food supply dries up (or is removed), which is why they tend to be more active in the autumn. Like mice and squirrels, they will seek shelter to escape the approaching cold, with houses being a preferred location. An unfortunate characteristic of clover mites is that females are capable of laying viable eggs without fertilization.
House dust mites
House dust mites are practically invisible to the naked eye and are considered one of the most common indoor allergens and one of the most common types of mites found in homes. For those who are allergic to dust, there is a very high chance they are allergic not to the dust itself, but to the dust mites. For this reason, personal hygiene is very important for avoiding health problems.
Dust mites are known to trigger asthma attacks, although, unlike rodent mites, they are rarely the cause of skin irritation. And, although they feed mainly on dander and flakes of dead skin falling from humans and pets, they are not a type of mite that lives on humans. In fact, you are more likely to find mites on furniture, pillows, and mattresses than on carpets or on people.
Scabies mites
These mites will infest almost any mammal, and unfortunately, that includes us humans! However, most scabies infections are transmitted through person-to-person contact and not through mites. Still, mites can spread from animals to humans and vice-versa, each having a preferred host species. However, unlike other mites, scabies mites actually burrow into the skin and create what can only be described as "tunnels" just below the surface, at the moment they lay their eggs.
Rodent and bird mites
Rodent and bird mites rarely bite humans, but when they do, the results can be unpleasant. In general, only three types of rodent mites bite humans: the house mouse mite, the spiny rat mite, and the tropical rat mite. The bite of a house mouse mite usually causes a rash around the bite area, while the bite of a tropical rat mite can be extremely uncomfortable and can cause skin irritation and itching.
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5. Can mites be harmful to health?
Mite bites can cause swelling and rashes and, occasionally, more serious reactions. Of the outdoor mites, the only type that frequently bites humans is harvest mites or red bugs. These bite as early as the larval stage, and their bite produces a red bump with intense itching.
As for indoor mites that bite or cause health problems, most come from animal nests. Some mites will infest the nests of birds, rats, and mice, and when they become numerous, they will leave that place and sometimes can end up in the house and bite humans. In most cases, the bites of these mites cause an itchy rash, which may show small bumps or pimples.
The skin may be very irritated, itchy, or red for a few days, but this will then subside. Ice and anti-itch creams, such as hydrocortisone, can help control swelling and itching. But these symptoms should resolve within a week. Almost all species of biting mites cannot live on human beings and therefore do not "infest humans."
There is only one exception: scabies. These mites infest a person's skin to lay eggs and feed, and are usually transmitted only through direct person-to-person contact. Like other mites, scabies tends to cause an itchy red rash and pimples. But, unlike other mites, these rashes will continue to appear if the person does not receive medical treatment, usually a prescription-only skin cream or lotion designed to kill scabies.
Mites can cause allergies in some people, but these tend to be mild, seasonal-type allergies – things like a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Over-the-counter and prescription allergy medications can help soothe mite allergies.
6. How much should we worry about mites?
While some mite bites may go unnoticed, others can be painful. Almost all lead to the appearance of red marks or itchy rashes. Intense itching may occur, and scratching can lead to infections. Symptoms usually appear within a day and can last up to a week.
Scabies mites can cause persistent, intensely itchy rashes because the pests burrow into the skin to multiply and then come to the surface to feed on flesh, which can lead to a severe medical condition.
The carcasses of dust mites, which live in carpets and furniture, can cause allergic reactions if inhaled, leading to a stuffy nose, watery eyes, and sneezing.
It is difficult to see mites with the naked eye, so you may not realize an infestation until it is too late.
When mites attach to the skin, the saliva they secrete causes intense itching that can be felt for several days after the mite is no longer attached. As soon as possible after having passed through infested areas or after having been exposed to other mites, you should pay close attention to personal hygiene, wash with warm soapy water, and scrub with a washcloth. Oral antihistamines and/or applying a hydrocortisone cream to the bites can help relieve itching. If you develop a severe reaction, consult your doctor.
7. How can mite infestation be prevented?
- Mow the lawn and remove weeds regularly.
- Keep leaf litter away from the house.
- Keep pets clean and healthy.
- Clean the house regularly.
- Dust surfaces and vacuum carpets.
- Wash bedding in warm water.
- Keep humidity levels low.
- Use an anti-mite mattress or a mite-proof mattress.
- Use anti-mite solutions as often as needed.
Therefore, there is no need for drastic treatment for the entire house or a fumigant. You just need to remove the animals and animal nests that bring mites. It is also important to always have a series of anti-mite solutions on hand.
The exception here, again, is the scabies mite; in addition to receiving medical treatment, you can take steps to eliminate mites from the household. Scabies mites do not survive very long when they are not on human skin. Vacuum your house on the day you start treatment and decontaminate your bedding, clothes, and towels by washing these items in hot water and drying them on high heat. You can also seal these items in a plastic bag for at least 72 hours.
Conclusion
Most mites are harmless to humans, although some species can cause various allergic conditions. Mites have also been recognized as the source of several types of skin rashes, but not all mites are harmful and no one needs to run and kill mites wherever they abound. By using anti-mite solutions and taking precautions, eliminating mites is not only possible but also relatively easy.
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-mites
https://www.orkincanada.ca/pests/mites/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/bug-bites/mite-flea-bites/
https://citybugs.tamu.edu/factsheets/biting-stinging/others/ent-3009/
