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What Causes Bed Mites?

Bed mites (also known as bedbugs or bed fleas) are parasitic insects that feed on the blood of people, birds or animals. They are not to be confused with microscopic dust mites, which only feed on the dead skin of people and animals. Bed mites have a painful bite and can leave visible red, itchy sores. The National Pest Management Association claims that their numbers are on the rise.

Migrating Animals
- Bed mites can latch themselves onto migrating bats or migrating birds. Wherever that animal flies to, so do the bed mites.
Migrating People
- The Mayo Clinic states that bedbugs can stow away in people's luggage or sleeping bags, and then crawl off to wherever that person travels. This is one reason why bedbugs are often seen more in hotels than in private homes.
Elimination of DDT
- The Mayo Clinic also states that with the banning of the toxic pesticide DDT, bed mites are increasing in numbers. However, there are far less toxic ways to kill bed mites than DDT.
Fast Moving
- According to CNNMoney.com, bed mites move so quickly that if one apartment is being fumigated, they simply move to another apartment. This is why exterminators recommend entire buildings need to be done at once.
Misconceptions
- Bed mites do not transmit diseases, but the bites themselves are bothersome enough.

Insects & Science