Why are mites a problem?

Spoilage of grain by mites
Infested wheat kernal

Storage mites are important pests for the food and feed industries, capable of infesting a variety of commodities, especially those based on cereals, at every step throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to finished goods.

Detection of early mite infestations, when numbers are low, is extremely difficult, due to the small size of the mites (less than 0.5mm in length). Consequently, an infestation often goes unnoticed until product damage becomes evident.

The damage caused by a mite infestation can lead to direct financial loss through the deterioration of food quality, downgrading of products, customer complaints and rejection of stock. Companies involved in the manufacture, distribution, storage and sale of foods and feeds and other commodities are at risk.

Growing evidence links mites and their by-products to the increase in human and companion animal allergic responses, and they are also associated with poor performance in livestock.