Mites In North Texas

Chigger Mites


  • Appearance:
  • Chiggers are the larval stage of mites belonging to the family Trombiculidae.
  • At this stage, they are extremely small, typically around 0.1 to 0.3 millimeters in size.
  • Chigger larvae are usually reddish-orange or yellow in color.
  • Habitat:
  • Chiggers are commonly found in tall grass, weeds, and other vegetation in outdoor environments.
  • They prefer humid and warm conditions.
  • Chigger larvae are parasitic and feed on the skin cells of various hosts, including mammals, birds, and reptiles.
  • Feeding Behavior:
  • Chigger larvae are parasitic and feed on the skin cells of their hosts, not blood as commonly believed.
  • They inject digestive enzymes into the host's skin, causing the surrounding tissue to become liquefied.
  • Chiggers then feed on the liquefied skin cells.
  • Bites and Symptoms:
  • Chigger bites are characterized by intense itching, red welts, and sometimes blistering.
  • The bites are often concentrated in areas where clothing is tight or where the skin is thinner, such as around the ankles, waist, and groin.
  • The itching can be severe and may persist for several days.


Clove Mites


  • Appearance:
  • Clove mites are very small, with adults measuring about 0.5 millimeters in length.
  • They have a reddish-brown to dark red color, and their bodies are oval-shaped.
  • Clove mites have long legs relative to their body size, and they are often mistaken for tiny spiders.
  • Habitat:
  • Clove mites are commonly found outdoors, where they feed on various plants, grasses, and mold.
  • They may become a nuisance when they migrate indoors, especially during the fall and winter months.
  • Feeding Behavior:
  • Clove mites are plant feeders, and they use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to extract sap from plants.
  • They are known to feed on grasses, clover, weeds, and other outdoor vegetation.
  • Behavior:
  • Clove mites are known for their tendency to invade homes in large numbers, particularly during the fall and winter.
  • They often enter buildings seeking shelter from cold temperatures.


Dust Mites


  • Appearance:
  • Dust mites are tiny, measuring about 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters in length.
  • They have translucent bodies, and their eight legs distinguish them as arachnids.
  • Habitat:
  • Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments.
  • They are commonly found in household dust, bedding, mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture, and other soft furnishings.
  • Diet:
  • Dust mites feed on organic matter, primarily skin cells shed by humans and pets.
  • They also consume fungal spores and other debris found in dust.


Southern Red Mites


  • Appearance:
  • The adult Southern red mite is tiny, measuring about 0.5 millimeters in length.
  • Females are generally larger than males.
  • The mite's body is oval-shaped, and it varies in color from red to orange.
  • Habitat:
  • Southern red mites infest a wide range of plants, including ornamental plants, fruit trees, and various crops.
  • They are commonly found on the undersides of leaves, where they feed on plant juices.
  • Feeding Behavior:
  • Southern red mites use their specialized mouthparts to pierce plant cells and feed on the contents.
  • Their feeding activity can lead to stippling, discoloration, and in severe infestations, defoliation of the host plant.