Dispersal of American house dust mites (Acari:Pyroglyphidae) in a residence.
American house dust mites, Dermatophagoides farinae Hughes, were marked by adding a 4% solution of Sudan Red 7B, a microbiological stain, to mite rearing media. Marked mites were released onto a downstairs couch in a 2-story residence. Two children sat on the couch for approximately 3 h after which their clothes were examined for stained mites. Various parts of the house and family vehicle were vacuum sampled, and dust samples examined for presence of marked mites. Results of 2 trials showed the presence of marked mites on clothing, upstairs in the residence, as well as in the family vehicle. Clothing is shown to be a significant factor in the dispersal of American house dust mites. Even if concentrated in a small area (1 couch), mites were able to disperse throughout the house and into a family vehicle within a matter of weeks.
Mollet
J A
JA
Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061-0319, USA.
Robinson
W H
WH
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008925:Mites; D012111:Residence Characteristics