Mites

Acari

Soft-skinned insect
Crawling, stinging, sucking
Parasite

Agricultural and forest pest
Stock/Storage pest

Species

Dust mite (Dermatophagoides)
Face mite (Demodex)
Flour mite (Acarus siro)
Scabies mite (Sarcoptes scabiei)
Harvest mite (Neotrombicula autumnalis)
TICK (Ixodida)

Mites belong to the species-rich, eight-legged arachnids, most species are barely visible to the naked eye. Some mite species can trigger diseases and allergies in humans and animals as parasites.

Transmission of diseases

As a parasite, mites can transmit many diseases, some of which are dangerous. Although TICKS (also a mite species) mainly cause Lyme Disease and early Summer Meningoencephalitis (TBE), and the rare Crimean-Congo Fever, lesser-known species can transmit Typhoid Fever, Rickettsialpox and Tularemia, among others.
Disease patterns that are triggered by these parasites in humans are summarised under the term of Acarioses. Scabies is the best-known disease, which causes severe itching due to the activities of the larvae on the skin. Another common disease is a form of Asthma that can occur after years of allergy to house dust mites. House dust is not the trigger of allergic reactions in humans, as is wrongly assumed, it is the excrement of the mites.
However, many mite species live on humans and animals without causing symptoms. Mites are found in the lungs of primates, the nostrils and feathers of some birds, the hair follicles and eyelashes of humans, and the respiratory organs of some insects (such as beetles and bees).
Although true grass mites only suck on plants, autumn mites, commonly known as harvest mites, autumn grass mites or hay mites, mainly infest living things. Consequences for humans: Short-term skin diseases (Harvest Scabies).

MORE DATA

Class: Arthropods
Size: 0.1 to 0.4mm
Weight: Approx. 3μg (microgram)
Age: 30 to 60 days
Appearance: Eight legs
Sexual dimorphism: Yes
Food: Body scales of humans
Distribution: Worldwide
Sleep-wake rhythm: Diurnal and nocturnal
Habitat: Pillow, bedspread
Natural enemies: Book scorpion, silverfish
Mating season: All year round
Egg laying: Approx. 50 eggs
Threatened with extinction: No

An infestation of mites in dogs and cats can cause skin diseases such as Demodicosis or Mange with severe symptoms. Caution: Some mites can even be transmitted to humans!
Mite infestations in dogs can cause hair loss, severe itching and serious skin symptoms. When cats come into contact with nature or with conspecifics, they can be infected with different types of mites. A mite infection can cause itching and cause massive damage to the cat’s skin health.
The mite is a genus within the arthropods belonging to the arachnids.
To date, more than 50’000 species are known worldwide and mites are the most abundant arachnids.
Fossil finds indicate that mites already lived on earth 230 million years ago and have hardly evolved since then.
The size of mites ranges from 0.1mm to several centimetres, depending on the species.
The best-known species and those relevant to human health include TICKS, house dust mites and scabies mites.
Like all arachnids, adult mites have eight legs.
Mites are herbivores or carnivores, depending on the species. The majority of mites live parasitically. Many species use their host as a means of transport, as they can only move very slowly.
Mites live in different habitats in almost all countries of the world. Almost half of the species live in the soil, and under good ecological conditions there can be up to 100’000 animals per square metre.
Mites also occur as pests in agriculture. However, many species have an ecological value and are classified as beneficial organisms, since on the one hand they make a significant contribution to humus formation in the soil, and on the other hand they are able to decimate certain harmful bacteria. In agriculture, such mites are even bred and used specifically.
They mainly occur as storage pests in flour or grain stores; the flour mite Acarus siro, for example, can decompose flour components and thus severely damage the products.
The food spectrum of the mites is large and ranges from tissue residues to fungi and plants to grain products and carrion.