Molds are annoying to deal with, but it is more bothersome when mold mites appear after them. If you are unaware of what do mold mites look like, you may take your time to read this article.
Knowing the appearance and physical characteristics of mold mites is essential to prevent possible problems that may arise from them. Even though they are not seriously harmful to humans, they can still bring conflicts when not treated.
This article will be your guide as we discuss mold mites’ colors, size, and characteristics. We will also help you find possible ways on how to spot them in your house. Continue reading as we go further!
What Are Mold Mites?
Mold mites, scientifically known as tyrophagus putrescentiae, are tiny arthropods thriving in humid and warm climates. They mostly grow where molds are because molds are their primary source of food. Aside from that, mold mites may also eat yeast, fungi, or foods that contain fats and protein.
How Can You Distinguish A Mold Mite?
Identifying the appearance of mold mites may be challenging because you may not see them with the naked eye. To help you with that, here is a guide about what they usually look like when grown on various surfaces.
Size
As mentioned earlier, mold mites are so tiny that a naked eye cannot see them easily. They are usually 0.03 millimeters in size, which are quite comparable to dust mites. Generally, a tiny mold patch can hold thousands of mold mites.
Color
In terms of colors, you can see mold mites in colors white, creme, or tan. Some of them can also appear with transparent bodies, making them more difficult to see.
Physical characteristics
Mold mites usually do not have wings, but they have long hairs or setae on their bodies. These hairs can break or fall off, which can become airborne, leading to allergies to some people.
How Can You Spot A Mold Mite?
Since mold mites are tiny and difficult to see with the naked eye, there are various ways for you to find them in your house. One of the ways you can do this is to use a camera with high-definition zoom capabilities. You only need to take a photo of the mold patch and zoom it in to see if mold mites are present in it.
Aside from that, you can also use flashlights or LED lights because mold mites will most likely shine when struck with lights. Moreover, a magnifying glass can also be a choice for you. If these methods do not apply to you, here are some other ways to find mold mites.
1. Mold patches
Molds are the primary food source of mold mites, so finding mold patches is one of the easiest ways to detect mold mites. When these arthropods gather in one area, they appear as white, brown, or tan patches in humid places.
However, you must remember that molds may appear in various colors too. Once you have seen suspicious patches on damp areas, expect that mold mites are living in them.
2. Brown discoloration
When mold mites create a cluster in one area in your walls or furniture, you may find brown discolorations in them. Generally, mold mites are easier to spot in larger infestations.
3. Mite dust
Since the hairs on mold mites can fall off, there may be brown stains or mite dust at places near moldy areas. You will need to take care of this matter immediately because some people may become allergic to mite dust.
4. Clusters
Mold mites do not appear in separate places. They usually grow in one area altogether, creating clusters or patches on the wall near moldy spots.
Are Mold Mites Dangerous To One’s Health?
Fortunately, mold mites do not cause structural damages to your house. Unlike other bugs, mold mites do not bite too, so they are entirely harmless to people.
However, allergic people may experience coughing, sneezing, or sore throats when mold mites’ hair breaks off and become airborne. Nonetheless, we should not be mistaken about this case. The allergy comes from the strands that fell off and the mold itself, but not directly from mold mites.
Even though mold mites are harmless, you still need to remove them to avoid larger infestations. To help you with this matter, you may read this article about getting rid of mold mites.
Conclusion
Molds can be one of the most annoying things that you can encounter in your household. They produce nasty odors, look unpleasant on surfaces, and attract mold mites. Nevertheless, knowing what do mold mites look like on surfaces can be helpful when you want to get rid of them.
Since you have read in this article that mold mites are not that dangerous, you may find it unnecessary to remove them. However, would you want to risk your family’s safety by letting mold mites grow in your house?
Do not think twice about getting rid of molds and mold mites. You must clean and sanitize your home immediately to avoid allergies and provide the safest place for your loved ones.