“Mite” is a term commonly used to refer to a group of insect-like organisms, some of which bite or cause human irritation. While some mites infest animals or humans, others are scavengers feeding on plants, insects, and other arthropods.

There are nearly as many different types of mites as there are insects.

Mites are usually spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with someone with mites. Contact must be prolonged; a quick handshake or hug usually will not spread mites. Mites are spread easily to partners and household members.

Mites are also spread indirectly by sharing articles such as clothing, towels, or bedding used by an infected person.

Mites can be found worldwide and affect people of all races and social classes. Having mites does not indicate someone's cleanliness.

• The most common signs and symptoms of mites are minor, raised bumps on the skin. There may also be swelling or blistering. 

• After the initial eggs are laid, symptoms can take 6-8 days to get severe. Eggs are oval and 0.10 to 0.15 mm long and hatch in 3-4 days. The larva will then migrate to the skin surface, burrow into a molting pouch, and remain there for another 3-4 days before becoming a nymph. The nymph becomes a larger nymph before molting into an adult.

• On a person, mites can live for as long as 1-2 months. 
  Off a person, mites usually do not survive more than 48-72 hours. 
  This is one of the many reasons we offer a medical-grade disinfectant to accompany our pest solution products. Ensuring a clean and sanitary environment is essential to keep the infestation from returning!

Mites do not survive more than 2-3 days away from human skin.

Carpets and furniture should be carefully vacuumed to remove dead mites, eggs, and excrement that could still be in the fabrics.

Countertops and frequently touched surfaces should be wiped down with a disinfectant. Our BenzaRid Disinfectant is perfect for deep cleaning and disinfecting your home of residual contaminants.
Items such as bedding, clothing, and towels used by a person with mites can be decontaminated by machine-washing in hot water and drying using the hot cycle or by dry-cleaning. We highly recommend using our ElimiMite Natural Enzyme Concentrate in your wash to penetrate and lift the dead mites, eggs, and excrement from all your washable bedding, clothing, and other washables.

Items that cannot be washed or dry-cleaned can be decontaminated by removing them from any body contact for at least 72 hours. Scabies mites will die if exposed to a temperature of 50°C (122°F) for 10 minutes. Putting the item in direct sunlight would also help kill the mites.

Because persons with mites are considered very infectious, carefully vacuuming furniture and carpets in rooms used by these persons is recommended.

Fumigation of living areas is unnecessary.