House Dust Mite

Natural Habitat

Indoor environments, specifically textiles like mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture, and dusty vents or filters where humidity is present.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily feeds on dander (dead skin cells) shed by humans and pets.

Behavior Patterns

They thrive in warm, humid conditions (above 70% relative humidity) and are microscopic, making them invisible to the naked eye. They do not bite but live deep within fiber structures.

Risks & Benefits

Major source of indoor allergens; their waste products and decaying body parts can trigger asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis in sensitive individuals. They provide no known benefit to the ecosystem.

Identified on: 6/3/2026