Mite Facts & Information
Protect your home or business from mites by learning techniques for identification and control.
IDENTIFY
Types of Mites
What do mites look like?
There are thousands of mite species, the majority of which measure less than 1 mm in length. Like other arachnids, their bodies are comprised of the prosoma and abdomen. Mites bear four pairs of legs.
Treatment
How do I get rid of mites?
What Orkin Does
Your local Orkin Pro is trained to help manage mites and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, your Orkin Pro will design a unique mite treatment program for your situation. Orkin can provide the right solution to keep mites in their place...out of your home, or business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Behavior, Diet & Habits
Understanding Mites
Diet
Some mites are predatory and will feed on other mites. Others are detritivores and feed on decaying material. Still, others feed on plants and can become agricultural pests. Lastly, some feed on animals.
Life Cycle
Beginning as eggs, these arachnids develop through larval and pupal stages prior to full maturation. They can survive on land and in water. Although most mites are not harmful to animals, some species are parasitic in nature.
What is meant by the common name "red mite"?
Common and colloquial names are frequently confusing and misleading since they often describe different insects or other Arthropods. This topic will address three mites that are sometimes called red mite or red bug.
Clover mites: Tetranychidae sp.
During the early to mid spring, this mite is commonly seen climbing up the sunny side of buildings and houses. They will crawl inside the structure and show up around the windows and windowsills. Clover mites are a major nuisance when they get inside, but are not blood feeders, so their red color is simply the result of the mite’s body pigmentation. If crushed, they will leave behind a reddish stain. Clover mites feed on grasses and clover.
Chigger mite: Trombicula sp
The immature, larval stage of the chigger mite is also reddish in color and is very small. The chigger larvae are usually encountered in wooded areas, pastures and locations with tall grass and weeds. Chiggers feed on people and a variety of other animals such as snakes, birds and other small mammals. The mite’s larvae penetrate skin and inject a secretion that breaks down and digests the skin cells. The mite larvae then suck up the digested material. Chigger larvae do not burrow into the skin or suck blood, as do some other species of parasitic mites.
Southern red mite: Oligonychus ilicis
This mite species infests trees and plants that do not loose their leaves in the winter. Examples of such host plants are azaleas, rhododendrons, hollies, roses, yews and broad-leaved evergreens. An important symptom of mite damage is leaves that turn grey or brown and prematurely fall from the plant. Heavy, unmanaged populations of southern red mites will eventually kill the plant.