Types of Mites in Domestic & Storage Environments

Domestic and storage mites are ubiquitous in indoor environments and capable of causing severe human allergic sensitization through pan-allergens.

Storage Mites and Pan-Allergens

Many allergens from storage mites have been described as pan-allergens – allergens that cross-react across multiple species. Active enzymes from the droppings of storage mites attack the outer shell of grains and organic materials, resulting in secondary mould growth.

Domestic mites encompass pyroglyphid mites (house dust mites like Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae) as well as non-pyroglyphid storage mites (such as Acarus siro, Lepidoglyphus destructor, and Tyrophagus putrescentiae).

• Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: The dominant European and South African house dust mite
• Dermatophagoides farinae: The American house dust mite
• Euroglyphus maynei: Common in humid coastal climates like Durban and Cape Town
• Storage mites thriving in damp ceiling insulation and grain stores