Mites

A world that teems with creatures of all shapes and sizes is the almost microscopic world of mites. They can be found just about everywhere on land and in water, on plants and animals, in stored items such as flour, cereals, feathers, and cheese, and in clothing and household furniture. Most are parasites. Some will suck the blood of animals such as chickens, horses, sheep, and cattle. Others will suck the juices from house plants, fruit trees, bulbs, or plant roots. Still others will burrow under the skin of people and animals, causing severe itching and scabbing. There are also beneficial mites that live in the soil. They help to naturally compost the dirt by breaking down plant and animal matter.

An adult mite has eight legs and its head and abdomen are fused. It begins life as a larvae with six legs and eventually molts and turns into a nymph mite with eight legs. The nymph will molt one or more times before it turns into an adult. Mites are more prolific in humid areas. They belong to the class Arachnida.

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