Latin: Glycyphagus domesticus
These small mites are very similar to those that occur in foodstuffs (p. 56), but under a lens they can be recognised by the long hairs at the rear end.
They may occasionally occur in foodstuffs, but they are primarily found in upholstered furniture, which has been kept damp for some time so that the stuffing has rotted.
House mites then feed on the fungus, and multiply in large numbers. They occur particularly in upholstery stuffed with fibre derived from palm leaves.
Nowadays these mites do not present any serious problem, but they may be a nuisance in very new houses which are still damp and in holiday houses which remain unheated for most of the year. Like all the other mites they quickly die if they become desiccated.
"Pests in House and Home"
"Bed Bugs - Bites, Stings and Itches"
"Food Pests"
"Husets dyreliv" (Insects Around the House - Only danish)
"Skadedyr i træ" (Timber Pests - Only danish)
"Stuefluen" (Common Housefly - Only danish)