House Dust Mites
You need to know…
- They feed on organic detritus such as flakes of shed human skin and flourish in the stable environment of dwellings. House dust mites are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide.
- The mite’s gut contains potent digestive enzymes (notably proteases) that persists in their feces and are major inducers of allergic reactions such as wheezing. The mite’s exoskeleton can also contribute to allergic reactions.e dust mite
- In a 10-week life span, a house dust mite will produce approximately 2,000 fecal particles and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme-covered dust particles.
- Allergens produced by house dust mites are among the most common triggers of asthma.
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Silverfish
You need to know…
- Silverfish are nocturnal, elongated and flattened insects typically 13–25 millimetres long.
- Their abdomen tapers at the end, giving them a fish-like appearance. The newly hatched are whitish, but develop a greyish hue and metallic shine as they get older.
- They inhabit moist areas, requiring a relative humidity between 75% and 95%. In urban areas, they can be found in basements, bathrooms, garages, closets and attics.
- These include glue, book bindings,paper, photos, sugar, coffee, hair, carpet, clothing and dandruff. Silverfish can also cause damage to tapestries. Other substances that may be eaten include cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibres and dead insects or even its own exuvia (moulted exoskeleton).
- During famine, a silverfish may even attack leatherware and synthetic fabrics.
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Milipedes
You need to know…
- Millipedes range from 2- 280 mm in length, and can have as few as eleven, to over a hundred segments. They are generally black or brown in colour, although there are few brightly coloured species.
- Most millipedes are herbivorous, and feed on decomposing vegetation or organic matter mixed with soil. A few species are omnivorous or carnivorous, and may prey on small arthropods, such as insects and centipedes, or on earthworms. Some species have piercing mouth parts that allow them to feed on plant juices.
- As far as humans are concerned, this chemical brew is fairly harmless, usually causing only minor effects on the skin, the main effect being discoloration, but other effects may also include pain, itching, local erythema, edema, blisters, eczema, and occasionally cracked skin. Eye exposures to these secretions causes general eye irritation and potentially more severe effects such as conjunctivitis and keratitis. First aid consists of flushing the area thoroughly with water; further treatment is aimed at relieving the local effects.
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House Cricket
You need to know…
- The house cricket is typically grey or brown in color
- It can grow to 16–21 millimetres in length.
- Males and females look similar, but females will have an ovipositor emerging from the rear, around 12 millimetres (0.47 in) long.
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Firebrat
You need to know…
- Firebrats are typically 1–1.5 cm.
- They prefer higher temperatures and require some humidity, and can be found in bakeries and near boilers or furnaces. They feed on a wide variety of carbohydrates and starches that are also protein sources such as flour and book bindings.
- They can contaminate food, damage paper goods, and stain clothing.
- females can lay up to 195 eggs in a lifetime. After incubation (12–13 days), the nymphs hatch. The complete life cycle may be passed in 2 to 4 months; thus several generations may result each year.
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Earwig
You need to know…
- Earwigs have characteristic cerci, a pair of forceps pincers on their abdomen, and membranous wings folded underneath short forewings, hence the scientific order name, “skin wings.” Some groups are tiny parasites on mammals and lack the typical pincers. Earwigs rarely use their flying ability.
- Earwigs are nocturnal; they often hide in small, moist crevices during the day, and are active at night, feeding on a wide variety of insects and plants. Damage to foliage, flowers, and various crops is commonly blamed on earwigs
- The male and female will live in a chamber in debris, crevices, or soil 2.5 mm deep.
- Afterward mating, the female will begin to lay 20 to 80 pearly white eggs in 2 days.
- It is a common urban legend that earwigs crawl into the human ear and lay eggs in the brain. Finding earwigs in the human ear is rare, as most species do not fly and prefer dark and damp areas (such as basements) rather than typical bedrooms
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