Dust mite
Scientific Name: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes; Family: Pyroglyphidae
Size: 0.2–0.3 mm (too small to be seen clearly without a microscope or high-powered magnification)
Natural Habitat
Found in household environments, particularly in upholstered furniture, mattresses, pillows, and carpets.
Diet & Feeding
They feed primarily on microscopic flakes of human skin (dander) shed by people and pets.
Behavior Patterns
They thrive in high humidity and warm temperatures. They are not parasitic and do not bite; they exist as scavengers within domestic detritus.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their waste products (feces) and body parts contain proteins that are major triggers for allergies and asthma in humans. Benefits: None to humans; they act as decomposers in the environment.
Identified on: 1/5/2026