How are dust mites bred? - briefly
Dust mites multiply when females lay 20‑40 eggs on humid, organic‑rich surfaces such as bedding, after which larvae hatch and pass through several nymphal stages to become adults. Breeding thrives at temperatures of 20‑25 °C and relative humidity above 70 %.
How are dust mites bred? - in detail
Dust mites reproduce through a rapid, continuous life cycle that thrives in warm, humid environments rich in organic debris. Adult females lay 40–70 eggs over several weeks, depositing them on surfaces where skin scales, hair, and fungal spores accumulate. Eggs hatch within three to five days, releasing larvae that possess three pairs of legs. Larvae feed on microscopic particles, then undergo a molt to become protonymphs, which develop four pairs of legs and increase in size. After another 3–4 days, protonymphs molt into deutonymphs, a transitional stage lasting about two days before the final molt to adulthood.
Key factors influencing breeding success include:
- Temperature: optimal range 20‑25 °C (68‑77 °F); lower temperatures extend development time, higher temperatures accelerate it but may increase mortality.
- Relative humidity: above 70 % is required for egg viability and for preventing desiccation of all stages.
- Food availability: accumulation of human skin flakes, animal dander, and fungal hyphae provides essential nutrients; insufficient debris reduces reproductive output.
- Shelter: cracks, seams, and upholstered fabrics offer protected microhabitats that retain moisture and limit disturbance.
Under ideal conditions, the complete cycle—from egg to reproductive adult—takes 10–14 days, allowing a single female to generate several generations in a month. Population density can increase exponentially, reaching 100 000–500 000 individuals per square meter in heavily infested bedding or carpet. Control measures must therefore target temperature, humidity, and food sources to interrupt the breeding process.