Family - Trombidiformes

(Mites)

Mites are tiny arthropods, related to ticks. Several types of mites can be found in homes and of these, a few may bite humans. Most mites are harmless predators of insects or feeders on decaying plant material. Some pest mites feed on stored products like cheese and grain. Others are merely nuisance pests, accidentally entering homes from their normal outdoor habitat. Only a few mite species are parasitic on birds or mammals, but these can occasionally become biting pests in homes. Identifying the type of mite and/or likely host is the first step in solving an indoor mite infestation.