Latin Name: Subclass Acari
Appearance: Mites are an arachnid and are comprised of thousands of species. Most mites are less than 1mm long. Their bodies are made up of the prosoma and the abdomen with four pairs of legs. Mites can be difficult to spot with the naked eye, though as they move across surfaces they can sometimes be detected.


Mites begin as eggs, and develop through the larval and pupal stage before becoming fully grown adults. Mites live on both land and in water. Typically they are not detrimental to other animals, but some species are parasitic.

Parasitic mites feed on other animals and can cause significant skin irritation to their hosts known as mange. Bird mites feed on poultry, while spider mites feed on crops.


A pest control professional should be contacted for assistance.