Mold Mite
Scientific Name: Tyrophagus putrescentiae
Order & Family: Order: Sarcoptiformes, Family: Acaridae
Size: 0.33 mm to 0.45 mm (nearly microscopic to the naked eye)
Natural Habitat
High humidity environments (over 60%), damp kitchens, bathrooms, and stored food products like grains, seeds, dried fruits, and cheeses.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily feeds on mold, fungi, and high-protein/high-fat organic materials such as flour, yeast, cereal, and processed animal feeds.
Behavior Patterns
Rapid reproduction in warm, moist conditions; females can lay up to 500 eggs. They move slowly and often appear as a fine, moving white dust or 'dust that crawls' when congregating in large numbers.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include allergic reactions (asthma/dermatitis) and contamination of stored food. They are not known to bite or carry infectious diseases but are considered significant indoor pests due to rapid infestation.
Identified on: 12/27/2025