Scabies Mites Identification Guide
Sarcoptes scabiei
Scabies mites are microscopic parasitic mites that burrow into human skin, causing intense itching and a pimple-like rash. These human itch mites require medical treatment and cannot survive more than a few days away from a human host.
Taxonomy
Scabies Mites Coloration
Common color patterns to help identify scabies mites
Scabies Mites
Seasonal Activity
When scabies mites are most active throughout the year
Where Scabies Mites Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where scabies mites have been reported.
Scabies Mite Identification Guide
Physical Characteristics
Scabies mites are tiny parasites that you cannot see without a microscope. Adult females measure 0.3 to 0.45 millimeters long. Males are about half that size. These mites have round bodies that are pale in color and have no eyes.
Like spiders and ticks, scabies mites have eight legs. The legs are in two pairs at the front and two pairs at the back. Their bodies are covered with small spines. The overall shape is oval and curved like a turtle shell.
Unlike clover mites or dust mites, scabies mites only live on humans. They cannot survive long away from a human host. They do not infest homes the way other pest mites do.
The Human Itch Mite
The type that affects humans is called Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis. It is often called the human itch mite. Other types of this mite affect dogs, cats, pigs, and horses. The animal types can cause brief itching in humans but cannot start a lasting problem.
Scabies Mite Behavior and Biology
Life Cycle
Scabies mites go through four life stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. After mating on the skin, the female burrows into the top layer of skin. She uses her saliva to break down skin tissue. This creates tunnels 1 to 10 millimeters long.
Inside these burrows, the female lays two to four eggs each day. She also leaves behind waste pellets. The female keeps digging and laying eggs for one to two months until she dies. Eggs hatch in three to four days.
The larvae that hatch have only six legs. They come to the skin surface, then molt and grow into nymphs with eight legs. Finally, they become adults. The whole cycle from egg to adult takes about two to three weeks.
How Scabies Spreads
Scabies spreads through long skin-to-skin contact with someone who has it. A quick handshake is usually not enough to spread it. The mites can sometimes spread through shared bedding or clothes. This is less common because mites die within two to three days without a host.
A more severe form called crusted scabies can happen in people with weak immune systems. It also affects the elderly and people in nursing homes. This form has thousands of mites instead of the usual 10 to 15. It spreads much more easily.
Where Scabies Mites Live
Scabies mites live only on and in human skin. They cannot survive in your home for more than a few days. Common spots on the body include:
- Between the fingers
- On the wrists and elbows
- Armpits
- Waist and belt line
- Buttocks
In babies and young children, the scalp, face, palms, and soles of feet may also be affected.
Treatment Methods for Scabies
Scabies is a medical issue that needs a doctor’s care. This is not a pest control problem. Bug sprays and pest treatments do not work on scabies.
Medical Treatment
Doctors treat scabies with prescription creams or lotions. The most common is 5% permethrin cream. You apply it to your whole body from the neck down. Children may need it on their face and scalp too. Leave it on for 8 to 14 hours, then wash it off.
Other options include ivermectin pills or lindane lotion. Your doctor will tell you which is best for you.
Everyone in the household should be treated at the same time. This is true even if some people do not have symptoms yet. Treating everyone stops the cycle of passing it back and forth.
Itching may last two to four weeks after treatment. This happens because your body is still reacting to the dead mites. It does not mean the treatment failed.
Cleaning Your Home
Mites cannot live long away from the body. Still, cleaning helps get rid of any that fell off:
- Wash bedding and clothes: Use hot water and dry on high heat
- Items you cannot wash: Seal them in a plastic bag for 72 hours or more
- Vacuum: Clean carpets, rugs, and furniture well
- Skip the bug spray: The CDC says not to use insect sprays for scabies
How to Prevent Scabies
The main way to prevent scabies is to avoid long skin contact with infected people. In places like nursing homes, workers should follow infection control rules. If someone in your home has scabies, the whole family should see a doctor.
Important Health Note
This page has general info about scabies mites. It is not medical advice. If you think you have scabies, please see a doctor. Scabies needs prescription medicine. You cannot treat it with store products or pest control.
References
Other Mites
Explore other species in the mites family
Commonly Confused With
Scabies Mites are often mistaken for these similar pests
Where Scabies Mites Are Found
Hover over states to see their names. Green regions indicate where scabies mites have been reported.
Common Questions about Scabies Mites
What causes scabies?
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Scabies is caused by the human itch mite. The female mite burrows into the top layer of skin to lay eggs. This causes the intense itching and rash linked to this condition.
How do you get scabies?
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Scabies spreads mainly through long skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. It can also spread by sharing bedding, clothing, or towels. This is less common since mites die quickly without a human host.
Are scabies mites visible to the naked eye?
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No, scabies mites are too small to see. They measure only 0.2 to 0.45 millimeters long. A doctor may use a microscope to find the mites or their eggs from a skin scraping.
How long can scabies mites live off the body?
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Scabies mites cannot survive more than two to three days away from human skin. They need a human host to live and will die quickly without one.
Is scabies a pest control issue?
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No, scabies is a medical condition that needs treatment from a doctor. Prescription creams are needed to kill the mites. Washing bedding and vacuuming can help, but pest control sprays do not work for scabies.
What does a scabies rash look like?
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Scabies causes a pimple-like rash with intense itching, especially at night. You may also see thin, grayish-white burrow lines in the skin. Common spots include between the fingers, wrists, elbows, armpits, waist, and buttocks.
How is scabies treated?
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Scabies is treated with prescription skin creams. The most common is 5% permethrin cream. It is applied to the whole body from the neck down and left on overnight. All household members should be treated at the same time.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that's been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area.