How to tell if you have mould mites in your home – and how to get rid of them

If, like me, you have a mould problem that you’re constantly battling with at home, you could also have a mould mite problem, too. In fact, even if you don’t think you have mould, you could still have mould mites. That’s because these tiny little critters love damp spots and feast on even small amounts of mould – the type that lurks, often unnoticed, in bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and anywhere else in your home that’s prone to damp.

What are mould mites and are they harmful?

Similar to dust mites in size and appearance – and their ability to trigger allergies – mould mites are super-small insects that feed on fungi. They are almost invisible and look more like white dust than actual bugs. Since they are very small and don’t bite, it’s very common to live with mould mites without knowing they are there. “Some people have allergic reactions to mould mites,” says Nicole Carpenter, pest control expert at Black Pest Prevention. “This is sometimes the only way people know they are there, because their shed skins are a strong allergen trigger.”

Having mould in your home doesn’t automatically mean that you have mould mites, but mould mites never appear without mould. So, if you find the mites in places where you don’t think you have mould – as I did in my kitchen cupboards – it’s time to look for the source. “Getting rid of mould mites is always about getting rid of mould itself,” says Carpenter. “They don’t appear without mould and they won’t go away as long as you have mould. Mould is their only food source and they will come back if there’s still something to eat, no matter what you do.”

How to get rid of mould mites

Deep cleaning

You can nix mould mites by cleaning, as I did in my kitchen cupboards. I’ve no idea how long they’d been there, but one day I noticed a kind of white dust on my plates and bowls. When I took a closer look I could see this ‘dust’ was moving, and that’s when I knew it was mites. Luckily, mould mites are not dangerous to humans, so if you have accidentally ingested them it won’t do you any harm. It is, however, still alarming, so I immediately began cleaning.

“You can use either vinegar or a diluted bleach solution,” says Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing. “Vinegar is ideal for everyday use, as spraying it directly onto mouldy grout or tiles allows it to soak in; it just needs scrubbing. Bleach is best for stubborn patches on non-porous surfaces. Simply dilute a small amount in water, apply it carefully and rinse thoroughly once the mould has lifted. In both cases, the real key is to dry the area completely afterwards, as even the smallest trace of moisture will encourage the mites to return.”

I cleaned my cupboards out twice and I haven’t yet seen the return of mites. I used a shop-bought anti-mould spray, but, as Carpenter explains, there are other options. “Spraying 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol on surfaces really helps to reduce the number of mites temporarily and ease allergy reactions,” she says.

Reduce humidity

Apart from cleaning where the mould mites have been spotted, the process of dealing with the mites is mostly the same as that of dealing with mould. “Mould mites need damp conditions to survive,” says Woods, “so controlling moisture is crucial. Installing a good extractor fan, leaving windows slightly open, or using a dehumidifier can lower humidity levels to minimise attracting mites.”

In humid conditions, your mould mites can go from egg to larva to nymph to adult in as little as one week, so controlling their population is important. “Dropping the humidity below 50 per cent in a room can mean the mites reproduce much more slowly,” says Carpenter. “This is a good short-term tactic if you’re waiting for professional mould removal.”

Raise the temperature

I’ve noticed my mould problem is much worse in winter, perhaps because I don’t open windows as much when it’s cold and perhaps because the combination of cold walls and hot pipes causes mould. However, according to Tony King, founder and owner of The Pied Piper Pest Control, the level of heat in your home can also affect mites. “My most effective hack involves raising the temperature in affected areas to 140°F (60°C) for at least 30 minutes, using portable heaters or steam cleaners,” he says. “This method kills both adult mites and their eggs instantly, without chemicals. After heat treatment, I thoroughly vacuum all surfaces with a Hepa filter to remove dead mites and debris.”

The key advantage of this approach over sprays or fumigation is speed and completeness. Chemical treatments often miss eggs hidden deep in materials, leading to re-infestation within weeks. Heat, however, penetrates everywhere, ensuring total elimination in one session. For practical application, focus on one room at a time. Remove sensitive items such as electronics first, then seal the space and apply heat for the full duration. “I’ve used this technique successfully in hundreds of homes,” says King, “particularly in damp basements and poorly ventilated areas where mould mites thrive.”

Block hiding spots

Mould mites thrive in crevices and porous surfaces where mould can grow, making bathrooms and kitchens the perfect environment for them. But it’s also important to make sure you’re wiping down surfaces and making sure water isn’t pooling anywhere. Don’t leave wet clothes in your washing machine; even your dishwasher can attract mites if it isn’t left to properly dry out after use. “Mould mites cling to grout lines, silicone edges, and other tiny nooks where moisture lingers and mould can easily take hold,” says King. “Fortunately, keeping them at bay doesn’t have to be expensive. You can take simple measures such as upgrading to mould-resistant grout, sealing silicone edges, and wiping down surfaces with a cloth after each shower to remove both spores and the hidden corners where mites might be.”