Mites Control

Some insects share the honour of their resilience and survival throughout history. Mites must be counted among the hardiest and longest-lived of terrestrial life. Survivors of the Devonian, they have evolved into 50,000 species and it is estimated that there are still twice as many left to enter the books.

Description of mites

As noted above, there are more than 50,000 described species, which makes it difficult to narrow them down to just a few that we know. They are a subclass of arachnids that vary in size according to their habitat. For example, the human follicle mite is only 0.1 mm long. Imperceptible, but ever-present. In contrast, species such as the velvet mite can measure more than 5 mm. They feed on a variety of organic matter, and because of their variety they have no specific diet. They have evolved to eat almost anything and to sustain themselves in inhospitable environments. Their body is divided into two parts or regions. The posterior is larger and the anterior is quite small proportionally. It has at least six legs in its upper development, reaching eight in adulthood.

Where do mites live?

Their habitat is extensive, they can exist in a variety of settings, from terrestrial to aquatic. In this case, they have been found not only in fresh water, but also in marine areas and at great depths (5000 m). They also survive in high temperatures such as in thermal waters at over 50 Celsius. They also survive in low temperatures, such as in boreal forests, where they live with extreme ease. They relate to their environment according to what they eat. And in this they are also extremely diverse.  Predators of other insects, there are also those that feed on plant matter, parasites, decomposing organic matter, blood, and others. In their parasitic alternatives, they can host virtually any species, from mammals and birds to reptiles, amphibians, and other insects. It is a complex process of nutrition because they feed on these materials, but they must be fragmented. To do this, they have a structure called a chelicerae, hard lamellae with which they capture the food. This part adapts to the type of food material, developing structures for sucking or piercing. They are highly adapted to their environments in order to survive for long periods of time.

Damage that mites can cause

Due to their extent in terms of species and available habitats, they become a widespread pest. They can be agricultural pests, as in the case of eriophids. They behave as reduced damage promoters in plantations, but their saliva may contain viruses. Likewise, chelicerates that affect cotton plantations or the red spider mite that causes various diseases in fruit plants, above all. They are also carriers of blood-borne diseases. They can cause allergies as well as asthma. In addition, their presence can trigger itching. The most common is the house dust mite that abounds in homes. It feeds on dead skin and is preferably found in mattresses. It can cause constant sleeping discomfort. Controlling dust mites is of paramount importance and is done through constant hygiene.