Dust mite

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, particularly in bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and air ducts where they feed on shed human and animal skin flakes.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily feed on dead skin cells (dander) from humans and animals. They do not bite or burrow into skin.

Behavior Patterns

Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. They reproduce rapidly and their populations can reach into the millions in household dust. They are not parasitic but are a major source of allergens.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include triggering allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, leading to symptoms such as asthma, eczema, rhinitis, and conjunctivitis. There are no known direct benefits to humans or the ecosystem, though they play a role in decomposition of organic matter on a microscopic scale.

Identified on: 9/28/2025