
Mite Biology and Anatomy
You notice that mysterious bumps or rashes have started appearing all over your body, you look all over your house, all over your yard, but cannot find out the source of the problem. Perhaps the problem is mites, a truly mysterious parasite.What are mites?
Mites comprise a very large group; scientists guestimate that there may be as many as a million different types, but so far only about 50,000 have been identified and named. Mites have very diverse biologies. Many live in the soil where they feed on microorganisms, fungi, or dead organic matter, or where they prey on other mites, small insects and even nematodes. Others occur in the water where they have similar diverse habits. Gardeners are familiar with those that feed on plants, such as the many species of spider mites or “red spiders”, as well as the gall mites such as those that make the various lumps, bumps, and felty patches on silver maple leaves. Many mites are parasitic on insects or higher animals such as birds, reptiles, and mammals. Those are the types of mites that BugsInMyBed.com is concerned, the kind that get in your house and cause you discomfort.How big are mites?
Trying to find those mites in your bed may not be the easiest task in the world because mites are amongst the smallest of all members of the Animal Kingdom. Although they are incredibly abundant we rarely see them because most are under 1 mm (1/25th inch) long; some are much smaller than that. Let me put that in perspective for you! Ready? Alright look real close at the screen, rub all the gunk out of your eyes, put on your glasses or whip out a magnifying glass. Now look right here >>>>>>>>>>> . <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Did you even notice that period in between all the arrows. That is roughly the size of a typical mite. Now imagine trying to find that period out in the real world. The picture below shows a bird mite compared to a dime. As you can tell without magnification the bird mite is nothing more than a speck.
Mite Anatomy
The Chart Below illustrates the basic anatomy of a mite. Here are a few important characteristics of mite anatomy.
- Mites are not segmented and the body is not divided by constrictions as is the case with ants or spiders.
- The larval stage has three pair of legs, but the nymphal stages and adults have four pairs.
- The mite mouth consist of a pair chelicera and two short palps.
Mite Life Cycle
Here are a few facts that should shed some light on what it is like to grow up as a small mite in this big world.- The life cycle of a mite consists of an egg, larva, three nymphal stages, and the adult: however, the number of nymphal stages varies depending on the species.
- The length of the life cycle, under favorable conditions, is two to three weeks; however, some mites may reach adulthood within several days.
- Most mite species deposit eggs, but in some species, the larvae are birthed live.
- A few species are parthenogenic, meaning they lay self-fertilized eggs, and no males of the species are known.
Learn about…
Mite Bites How to Control Mites How Mites are Transmitted Call today at 1-800-986-1006 for help with a mite infestation. You’re also welcome to complete the form below and a caring Hearts Pest Management representative will contact you shortly.Locations
City Services for Pest Control in Los Angeles
Agoura Hills | Northridge | |
Alhambra | Pacific Palisades | |
Arcadia | Palos Verdes Estates | |
Beverly Hills | Pasadena | |
Burbank | Pomona | |
Calabasas | Rancho Palos Verdes | |
Cerritos | Redondo Beach | |
City of Industry | Reseda | |
City of Los Angeles | Rolling Hills Estates | |
Claremont | San Marino | |
Culver City | Santa Fe Springs | |
Cypress | Santa Monica | |
Diamond Bar | Sherman Oaks | |
El Monte | Sylmar | |
El Segundo | Tarzana | |
Encino | Temple City | |
Glendale | Toluca Lake | |
Granada Hills | Torrance | |
Hacienda Heights | Venice | |
Hidden Hills | Walnut | |
Hollywood | West Covina | |
La Verne | West Hollywood | |
Long Beach | West Los Angeles | |
Malibu | Westlake Village | |
Manhattan Beach | Whittier | |
Marina Del Rey | Woodland Hills | |
North Hollywood | ||
City Services for Pest Control in Orange County
Aliso Viejo | Laguna Hills | |
Anaheim | Laguna Niguel | |
Brea | Lake Forest | |
Buena Park | Los Alamitos | |
Capistrano Beach | Mission Viejo | |
City of Orange | Newport Beach | |
Corona Del Mar | Orange | |
Costa Mesa | Rancho Santa Margarita | |
Dana Point | Rossmoor | |
Fountain Valley | San Clemente | |
Fullerton | San Juan Capistrano | |
Garden Grove | Santa Ana | |
Huntington Beach | Tustin | |
Irvine | Villa Park | |
La Habra | Westminster | |
Laguna Beach | Yorba Linda | |
City Services for Pest Control in San Diego
4S Ranch | Rancho Penasquitos | |
Poway | Scripps Ranch | |
Rancho Bernardo | ||
Descanso | Ramona | |
Julian | Santa Ysabel | |
Pine Valley | ||
Bonsall | Hidden Meadows | |
Escondido | Pauma Valley | |
Fallbrook | Valley Center | |
Carlsbad | Pacific Beach | |
Coronado | Point Loma | |
La Costa | San Ysidro | |
Mira Mesa | The City of San Diego | |
Otay Mesa | ||
Cardiff by the Sea | Oceanside | |
Carmel Valley | Rancho Santa Fe | |
Del Mar | San Marcos | |
Encinitas | Solana Beach | |
La Jolla | Vista | |
Alpine | Imperial Beach | |
Bonita | Jamul | |
Chula Vista | La Mesa | |
East Lake Chula Vista | Lakeside | |
El Cajon | Santee | |
City Services for Pest Control in Ventura
Camarillo | Simi Valley | |
Moorpark | Thousand Oaks | |
City Services for Pest Control in Riverside
Canyon Lake | Norco | |
Chino Hills | Perris | |
Corona | Sun City | |
Eastvale | Temecula | |
Lake Elsinore | The City of Riverside | |
Menifee | Wildomar | |
Moreno Valley | Winchester | |
Murrieta | ||
City Services for Pest Control in San Bernardino
Chino | Ontario | |
Fontana | Rancho Cucamonga | |
Highland | Redlands | |
Loma Linda | Upland | |
Montclair | Yucaipa | |