What do house dust mites primarily feed on?

House dust mites primarily feed on shed skin scales, which are tiny particles that humans and pets naturally shed. These scales are composed of dead skin and provide an abundant food source for dust mites, allowing them to thrive in various environments, particularly in places like bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture where skin scales accumulate.

While dust particles may contain various organic material that could be ingested, the primary diet of dust mites is indeed the shed skin from humans and animals. This feeding habit links directly to their significant presence in residential environments, given that humans typically shed millions of skin cells daily. Understanding this aspect of their biology is crucial for effective pest management, as it highlights the need for thorough cleaning practices to reduce mite populations by minimizing their food sources.