When we think of infestations, the most obvious comes to mind: cockroaches, rats, ants, etc. It’s important to understand that even the smallest, most seemingly harmless bugs can be just as damaging to your home. Awareness of early infestation signs prevents further issues and stops pests in their tracks.
In this blog, we’ll be looking at white mites and how they function as pests including:
- What are these little white mites?
- Do mites cause harm?
- How do white mites get into the house?
- Signs of a mite infestation
- How to get rid of white mites in your home or yard
What Are These Little White Mites?
White mites are a species of two-spotted spider mites. They’re a part of the Arachnida genus Tetranychus. Mites are also closely related to the tick family due to both being a part of the arachnid family. They are small, clear, white, and have eight legs.
Mites are tiny. They’re no bigger than ¼ mm, approximately the size of a grain of salt. Along with being translucent white, they’re difficult to see with the naked eye.
Do Mites Cause Harm?
While white mites don’t bite, they shed long hairs that can irritate human and pet skin. Their airborne hairs carry allergens that cause allergic reactions. Once in your home, white mites can lay over a hundred eggs.
Plants are the main diet of a mite. They’ll suck the nutrients out of plant tissue, harming the plant. Some mites, such as dust mites, feed on and damage furniture, but white mites stick to living in and devouring indoor plants.
How Do White Mites Get into the House?
Due to the minuscule size of white mites, they can get through nearly any opening in the foundation. They can accidentally be carried in with infested plants and gardening tools. Other times, they’ll choose to come inside if you have house plants inside already.
Signs of a Mite Infestation
- Bites on the skin (both humans and pets) that look:
- Red, rash-like
- Small bumps that become hard or inflamed
- Irritation, itching, and pain near the rash or bump
- Swollen or blistered
- Seeing small moving dots in your home or yard
- Damage to plants, including curling leaves or white and yellow spots
- Webbing on plant stems or leaves
- Tiny white bugs’ eggs on leaves’ undersides
How to Get Rid of White Mites in Your Home or Yard
- Use humidity to prevent white mites (mites don’t like high moisture)
- Check new plants for white mite webbing
- Wipe plant leaves regularly to avoid white mite infestations
- Use different deterrents such as vinegar spray, rosemary oil spray, insecticidal soap, and neem oil
- Seal cracks in walls, windows, doors, and foundation
