Does Spider Mites Bite Human?

Spider mites are not insects but are the member of order Arachnid. The most important characteristic that differentiates this order from the other insects is the number of legs of these creatures has. Typically insects have three pairs of legs while the spider mites have four pairs of legs. They are common pests of indoor plants, that’s why they are known as phytophagous or plant-eating pests. When it comes to the pest of indoor plants, the foremost thing that comes into mind is that whether or not they also bite humans? Or either transmit any disease to humans.

Here in this article, I will tell you whether or not they have any impact on humans?

Spider mites are plant dwelling arthropods that continue to exist on the undersides of leaves and spin silk webs to shield their eggs. They need tiny mouthparts designed to suck chlorophyll from microscopic plant cells. They will inflict significant damage to plant and tree life, but they rarely bite humans. In rare cases, their bites cause an allergic reaction in people. They cannot live on or within human skin.

How does spider mite look like?

Spider mites may appear as tiny moving dots. However, you will see them easily with a 10X hand lens. Adult females are larger, which is about 1/20-inch long. They range in size from 0.3 to 0.5 mm. They usually formed board colonies on the undersurface of leaves. Each colony may contain many individuals. The name spider mite and web-spinning mite come from the silk webbing that most species produce on infested leaves. Adult mites have eight legs and an oval body with two red eyespots near the top end. Females usually have an oversized black blotch on all sides of the body and diverse bristles covering the legs and body. Immatures resemble adults except they are much smaller, and also the newly hatched larvae have only six legs. The opposite immature stages have eight legs. Eggs are spherical and translucent, like tiny droplets becoming cream-colored before hatching.

Types of spider mites:

The most common spider mite internationally is the two-spotted mites, which are also known as Tetranychus urticae Koch. In layman language, it also called red spider mites. They are widely found in fields, orchards, greenhouses, yards, gardens, and even in an indoor growing environment. They had two gloomy spots on either side of their bodies. They vary in coloration from straw through brown and red hues.

Other varieties include the tumid spider mite (Tetranychus tumidus Banks), the pacific spider mite (Tetranychus pacificus MacGregor), the spruce spider mite (Oligonychus ununguius Jacobi) and the southern red mite (Oligonychus illicis MacGregor). Many of these varieties which attack, particularly on trees or crops.

Impact on plants:

Sign of spider mite infestation:

Plant leaves infested by spider mites have a speckled or stippled look from feeding punctures. At the time of webbing becomes visible, there are millions and millions of mites infesting your plant. To spot spider mites before webbing becomes visible, wipe the underside of a leaf with a tissue or soft white cloth. If the tissue comes out red or rust-colored, your plant has spider mites. You will also hold a piece of white paper under a leaf and sharply tap the plant to release mites clinging to the surface. If the plant is infested, you will find specks that look like dust. With the help of a simple microscope, you will see the movement of the mites.

Mode of transmission:

Spider mites do not travel as much; they rarely leave the plant upon they are feeding. They can, however, infest other plants indoors, particularly if the plants are touching. Mites may drop from one plant and crawl to a different. In an outdoor environment, it may transport spider mites on clothing or objects that touch infested plants. 

Impact on humans:

Spider mites are also found in homes with abundant plants. They cannot live far away from their food source. They are not likely to disperse throughout the house. They will occasionally bite humans who brush past potted trees or handle plants directly. Bites will typically seem like a tiny pimple surrounded by a red circle, but several bites within the same area may look like a rash.

Transmission of disease:

Spider mites are not known to spread diseases to humans.

How to prevent them?

Here is the preventive measure which adopts to control the spider mite population and avoid their direct contact with the humans and minimize the rear chances of a bite.

Outdoor treatment:

If caught early enough, a spider mite problem may be corrected with an easy blast of water off the underside of infected plant leaves. To treat an advanced infestation of crops and gardens, spray the complete area with outdoor concentrate. As you rinse each plant, angle your hose-end sprayer to hit the underside of plant leaves.

Indoor treatment:

Indoor treatment is sometimes unnecessary because spider mites that roam off from the plant will soon die. Direct treatment of plants may be a better option. The indoor treatment is not intended for application to plants, they only mean it is only for cabinets, carpets, couches, bedding, animals, and human skin. To treat plants directly without damage, use the outdoor concentrates.

How to treat a human bite?

Spider mite bites rarely require treatment, but people that do allergic to mites may feel more itching and swelling than usual. If affected areas feel hot to the touch, use a cold compress to lessen the swelling. Oral antihistamines and cortisone ointments may additionally be helpful, but in case of a severe allergic reaction, you have to go to consult a doctor for treatment.

Conclusion:

The spider mite does not harm you until and unless you come in direct contact with them while brushing trees or growing plants indoor. It does not mean that indoor planting is harmful, but you should take above mention precautionary measures to prevent their attack in plants and also prevent their direct contact with the human while handling the plant. If they rarely bite, you then use ointments. If you are allergic to them, then go to the doctor to treat them, but in general, their main host plants and they did not bite humans but only in often cases. Get more info on spider mites.