Miticides or acaricides are pesticides that kill mites. Antibiotic miticides, carbamate miticides, formamidine miticides, mite growth regulators, organochlorine, permethrin and organophosphate miticides are all in this category. Diatomaceous earth will also kill mites by disrupting the cuticle, which dries out the mite. Ivermectin can be prescribed by a medical doctors to rid humans of mite and lice infestations and there are agricultural formulations for birds and rodents that are infested.

Common miticides: Methoprene is virtually harmless to non-insects, and the US EPA has exempted it from tolerance. It is widely available in supermarkets, ctc. Hydroprene is toxic to fish & perhaps birds. Both are for indoor use only, as they break down in sunlight. Methoprene is applied as a wetting spray, hydroprene as an aerosol space spray. Neither will affect adult insects; they work on future generations by preventing growth or maturation. Permethrin can be applied as a spray. The effects are not limited to mites: lice, cockroaches, fleas, mosquitos, & other insects will be affected. Permethrin, however, is not known to harm mammals or birds, as it has a low mammalian toxicity and is poorly absorbed by skin.

This information was adapted from the website of The Industrial Fumigant Company of Olathe, Kansashttp://www.indfumco.com/new/index.asp, and checked against a US EPA website.

External links

• Pest Control Information - National Pesticide Information Center

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