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Household Insects · Pest guide

Mites control

Dust mites indoors and spider mites on plants: allergy relief and plant care.

When to call a pro

Mites at a glance

Scientific name
Dermatophagoides (dust mites), Tetranychidae (spider mites)
Size
Under 1/64 inch (0.2–0.5 mm), barely visible
Appearance
Dust mites invisible to the eye; spider mites tiny dots with fine webbing
Where found
Bedding, upholstery and carpets (dust mites); undersides of plant leaves (spider mites)
  • Health riskModerate
  • Property damageLow
  • Do it yourself?Usually DIY
When mites are active Peak: Jun–Sep
  1. Jan Active
  2. Feb Active
  3. Mar Active
  4. Apr Active
  5. May Active
  6. Jun Peak
  7. Jul Peak
  8. Aug Peak
  9. Sep Peak (this month)
  10. Oct Active
  11. Nov Active
  12. Dec Active

Low Active Peak This month

Signs to look for

  • Allergy symptoms worse in bed or in the morning
  • Speckled, yellowing plant leaves with fine webbing

Call a professional when

  • Persistent allergy or asthma symptoms (see a doctor or allergist)
  • Unexplained bites with no insects found (rule out other causes)
How to choose a pest control company

Quick prevention

  • Wash bedding weekly at 130°F (54°C) or hotter
  • Use allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers
  • Keep indoor humidity low

Our mites guides are being researched. Meanwhile, the profile above covers the signs, the risks and when to call a professional.

Keep mites out

  1. Wash bedding weekly at 130°F (54°C) or hotter
  2. Use allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers
  3. Keep indoor humidity low
  4. Rinse and isolate infested houseplants

Often confused or found together

All household insects
Bed Bugs Hitchhikers that hide in mattress seams and bite at night. Hard to clear, but it can be done. Fleas Treat the pet, the home and the yard together, or the cycle starts again. Ticks Yard control, tick checks and safe removal to cut the risk of Lyme disease.
Photo credits

Thank you to Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, Content Providers: CDC/ Harvard University, Dr. Gary Alpe and Michael Wunderli for sharing these beautiful photographs and helping bring this guide to life.

Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Public domain · CC BY 2.0