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Seven different dust mite species found living in an old mattress

By cutting core sections from an old box-spring mattress a scientist found seven different species of mite infestations. Among the species identified were house dust mites, storage mites and one follicle mite, all of which are known to cause disease in humans. 95% of the mites found were within 1.5 cm of the top of the mattress.

The area of the old mattress investigated was from half of a double bed; sectioned from the top and bottom. The research criteria was to investigate population abundance and how this type of mite-sampling may contribute to future house dust mite research. The study was published in 1995 and funded by Asthma UK.

Results: The dust mite species identified were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, known as the house dust mite and most dominant of the populations harvested (95%), Euroglyphus maynei (3%),Cheyletus tenuipilis (2%) and Tarsonemus (unidentified). Storage mites were Lepidoglyphus destructor and Acarus siro. The follicle mite was Demodex follicorum. infestation.

References

'An 'in situ' coring technique for estimating the population size of house dust mites in their natural habitat', D. B. Hay, Acarologia, t. XXXVI fasc. 4, 1995

Seven different dust mite species found living in an old mattress

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