House dust mites are small arthropods that belong to the subclass Acari (also known as Acarina) and the class Arachnida. They are very common in households – hence the name – and they are supposed to have lived on Earth for over 23 million years. The two most common species of house dust mites are the North American house dust mite and the European house dust mite.
Dust mites might be small arachnids, but they can have a big impact on your life. Due to the fact that they are widespread and they can easily cause allergies, dust mites are quite a nuisance for every household. They can quickly multiply, as females lay up to 100 eggs in their lifespan of 80 days, so their population growth can easily lead to an infestation in no time.
Dust mites feed on organic waste, such as flakes of human skin, and flourish in the stable environment of dwellings. House dust mites are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. Their guts contain potent digestive enzymes that persist in their faeces and are major inducers of allergic reactions.
The house dust mite is very small in size and has a translucent body, being barely visible to the unaided eye. It feeds on flakes of shed human skin, and flourishes in the stable environment of dwellings. House mites are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. The mite’s gut contains potent digestive enzymes that persist in their faeces and are major inducers of allergic reactions such as wheezing. The mite’s exoskeleton can also contribute to allergic reactions. Unlike scabies mites or skin follicle mites, house dust mites do not burrow under the skin and are not parasitic.