Mites are small and insect-like but are closely related to spiders. Often, they are the size of a period following a sentence. They use piercing mouthparts to eat sap from plants or feed on blood. Mites do not hop or fly, but can crawl onto people or animals. They may be found on stored food, crops, and inside homes. They may bite people or animals. Others may be parasitic to birds or mammals. Some mites may also scavenge for their food.

Plant damaging mites:

These mites are able to attack many different plants. Some may cluster together while feeding. Plant damage may show signs specific to a type of mite. Spider mites are commonly recognized because they create webbing.

Parasitic and biting mites:

These mites may bite other animals, including pets and people, if their preferred animal host dies. Some people may be sensitive to mites, and may show irritation or welts. Mites that bite humans may not survive long without a host. They can be picked up off of surfaces or through contact. Some common biting mites include:

• Varroa mites on honeybees
• Chiggers
• Bird mites
• Rodent mites

Stored food mites:

Stored food like grains, cheese, corn, and dried foods are products that may be attacked by mites. Mites found in stored food facilities favor high humidity and moisture. They can also spread fungal growth in stored foods. These mites are less common in homes.

Control tips:

• Identify your pest. Control methods may depend on the type of mite.
• Find and identify the source/host of the mite.
• Mites often stay close to the source. If you find them in only one room, their source is likely close by.
• Vacuum beds, rugs, furniture, and carpets frequently if mites are present indoors.
• Wash mite-infested fabrics in hot water and dry on high heat.
• Block birds and rodents from nesting in the home or yard/garden.
• Trim branches and overhanging limbs around the home.
• Cut back vegetation near windows and doors to limit entry to homes.
• Mow regularly and limit brush and overgrown weeds in your yard. This will make areas less suitable to rodents and mites.
• Examine potentially infested plants regularly to monitor for mite presence.
• Use water to spray mites off infested plants.
• If you choose to use a pesticide, always follow the label. Try a lower toxicity product first.
• Even if using pesticides for mites, consider rodent or bird control when appropriate.
• If you have a pesticide product in mind, have your label handy and click here for information about that product.

If you have questions about this, or any pesticide-related topic, please call NPIC at 800-858-7378 (8:00am - 12:00pm PST), or email us at npic@ace.orst.edu.