White House Mites?

[Tangerine5]

Hello, this is my first message and i am wondering if anyone can help with an insect that has taken over my house?
The invader in question is white, about the size of a grain of salt, moves fast and seemed to come at the same time as damp and mold over the winter and is still here. I live in Cumbria just in case that makes a difference.
Thanks,

TANGERINE5.

[Jason Green]

Morning Tangerine5, and welcome to WAB!

It sounds most like a Mite of some kind, but at that size I imagine a better/closer image or description would be difficult! Of course it could also be a Booklouse - see:


In either case a dehumidifier may help control populations by removing some moisture in the air and thus reducing the build-up of mildew - their foodsource perhaps.

The insect in the picture is about 2mm.

Take care,

Jason

[Tangerine5]

Hello Jason,

Thanks for youe reply, your suggestion of a dehumidifier would seem to be a good one as with the recent warmer weather the mites appear to be depleting, although they are still here in considerable numbers. Yes a closer inspection would be difficult with how small they are but they are definately white and not elongated as the booklouse you suggest. They would appear to have a slightly round body but that is about as much as i can tell.
I will look into a dehumidifier and maybe some gas bombs.

Thanks,

ALEX.

[The Woodman]

Just be careful mentioning gas bombs coupled with "White House" in the thread title. You might get a call in the middle of the night from the men in black!

We've had a couple of similar infestations over the years caused by flour mites that have been imported with dried dog food and corn. When they get into the kitchen cupboards they infest anything with a cereal base. They're very small and at first glance don't appear to be moving but on closer inspection they are. These live in dry conditions and can be got rid of by chucking out the infested foodstuffs and keeping new cereal in sealed containers. Wipe all surfaces with disinfectant.

Could these be what you have?

[rooster]

Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I have what sound like what Woodman describes?
I am in Wigan.
The mite I have are populating around one cupboard in particular, where Dog food and morsel mixer was kept. The dog food was left in there after unforeseen circumstance meant my dogs left almost 6 weeks ago. The dog food (Bakers Complete & HiLife Moist Mince) was left in open bags.
These mites look like patchy dust, but are also spreading out. They are all over the cupboards and you really need to look careful to see them move.
I have wiped the cupboards down with strong disinfectant, but they are everywhere!
I am going to 'Homebase' to see if they do 'Deathlac', it always worked for me over the years on ants, so fingers crossed.
Unless anyone else has a good tip?

[The Woodman]

Check any cereal or cereal based product you have in your cupboards both in open packets and sealed containers. These mites are so small I found the best way to detect them was to watch the dust for a few minutes and see them moving. Anything with mites in must be chucked out and don't restock until they have been got rid of.

I'm sure a bleach or disinfectant solution would do it.

[rooster]

Thank you very much...i will do that