Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-019-00352-w Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-019-00352-w *	 Krzysztof Solarz 
	
solarzk@sum.edu.pl 1	
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine 
in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Jednosci 8, 41‑218 Sosnowiec, Poland 2	
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University 
of Bielsko-Biala, Willowa 2, 43‑300 Bielsko‑Biala, Poland Risk of exposure of a selected rural population in South 
Poland to allergenic mites. Part I: indoor acarofauna 
of one-family houses Krzysztof Solarz1   · Celina Pająk2 Received: 5 September 2018 / Accepted: 21 February 2019 / Published online: 28 February 2019 
© The Author(s) 2019 Keywords  Allergenic mites · House dust mites · Dermatophagoides spp. · Rural area · 
Poland Introduction The most abundant mites in house dust are members of the family Pyroglyphidae (Acari: 
Sarcoptiformes, Astigmatina), in particular Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae 
and Euroglyphus maynei. These house dust mites are the major sources of indoor inhal-
ant allergens facilitating both the sensitization of atopic subjects and asthmatic attacks in 
patients (Boquete et al. 2006; Colloff 2009; Thomas et al. 2010; Mastrorilli et al. 2016). Most often these mites are found in habitats intimately associated with man, such as beds, 
couches, sofas, other upholstered furniture, clothing and carpets (Colloff 2009; Aller 
2010; Solarz 2010). But the house dust mites have been reported from a wide variety of 
other habitats associated with man and his environment, both indoor and outdoor (Neal 
et al. 2002; Solarz et al. 2007; Colloff 2009). Additional studies in different countries and 
regions of the world are also required to give a balanced view of indoor mite diversity. Most studies on house dust mites within dwellings have traditionally sampled beds, car-
pets and upholstered furniture as the three main types of indoor mite microhabitats (Col-
loff 2009). An understanding of the life cycle of house dust mites, their population age 
structure and seasonal dynamics, as well as environmental factors influencing mite popula-
tions, can be exploited in mite control (Harving et al. 1993; Hart 1998; Korsgaard 1998a, 
b; Solarz 2001b). For these reasons, additional studies in different countries and regions of 
the world are needed. The aim of this investigation was to study (1) the occurrence, prevalence and species 
composition of the domestic mite fauna in house dust samples from beds, couches, sofas, 
upholstery furniture, carpets, wooden floors and linoleums in one-family houses situated 
in Stryszawa and vicinity (South Poland); (2) levels of house dust infestation with mites in 
particular sites of the examined places; (3) the main habitats of house dust mite occurrence 
and breeding in the examined houses; and (4) the influence of air temperature, humidity, 
and other environmental factors or housing conditions on the abundance and frequency of 
domestic mites, especially of the family Pyroglyphidae. Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of mites in dust samples from 
houses in agricultural areas of South Poland, with particular reference to allergenic and 
parasitic species as a potential risk factor of diseases among people. A total of 250 dust 
samples from 50 single-family houses situated in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie 
province) were examined for the presence of domestic mites. Dust was taken from beds, 
floors in bedrooms, upholstery furniture, floors in family rooms and from floors in kitch-
ens. Mites were found in 74.8% of samples collected. A total of 5340 mite specimens 
were isolated, including 2771 members of the family Pyroglyphidae (51.9%). Dominants 
were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (36.4% of all mites) and Gohieria fusca (25.1%), 
followed by Chortoglyphus arcuatus (18.3%) and D. farinae (15.1%). Dermatophagoi-
des pteronyssinus was also the most frequent species (53.2% of the total count of samples 
examined), followed by G. fusca (42.4%), D. farinae (37.2%) and C. arcuatus (36.4%). Lepidoglyphus destructor was found more frequently than Glycyphagus domesticus in the 
examined samples. Density of D. pteronyssinus was associated with beds, presence of pets, 
coal stoves used for heating, lower number of rooms, higher cooking frequency, higher 
washing frequency, working housewife, open kitchen, wooden floors in kitchens, lower 
cleaning frequency, type of upholstery furniture in living rooms (arm chairs), lower humid-
ity and higher temperature. Keywords  Allergenic mites · House dust mites · Dermatophagoides spp. · Rural area · 
Poland 6789)
3 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 376 Materials and methods (1990), Baker (1999), Colloff (2009), Krantz and Walter (2009) and Solarz (2012). f
When samples were taken, indoor ambient air temperature and relative humidity in each 
house were measured with digital humidity/temperature meters TES 1360 (TES Electrical 
Electronic Corporation) across the houses. In each home a thermohygrometer was always 
turned-on during the whole time of sampling/vacuuming of all five places examined and 
finally the average values were noted. Samples were taken between May 2011 and Septem-
ber 2012 at about noon each day of sampling. Most samples was taken in July, August and 
September, during months of peaks of mite density in dwellings in temperate climates. Mite density was calculated as the number of specimens per g of dust. To standardize 
mite collection, the calculation of mite numbers of each taxon per g house dust was recom-
mended by Platts-Mills et al. (1992) as the best method for determining exposure to mites 
and mite allergens. Information on various parameters which could influence mite numbers 
was obtained by questioning the residents and analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation 
test. These parameters were: type of place examined, type and age of building, presence 
or absence of pets, type of heating, number of rooms, family size (number of inhabitants), 
cooking and washing frequency (per week), housewife (unemployed or employed), type of 
sleeping accommodations and type of floors in bedrooms (carpeted or not), type of kitchen 
(open or closed), type of floors in kitchens, cooking facility, cleaning frequency, type of 
upholstery furniture, indoor relative humidity (%RH), indoor ambient air temperature (°C), 
and weight of samples (in g). Materials and methods The faunistic study was carried out from May 2011 to September 2012. A total of 250 dust 
samples from 50 single family houses situated in Stryszawa and vicinity (South Poland) 
were examined for a presence of domestic mites. In each house, dust was taken from five 
places: from beds (or other sleeping accommodations) and floors in bedrooms, from uphol-
stery furniture and floors in family rooms, and from floors of kitchens. All samples were 
collected with portable vacuum cleaners, on a specially constructed dust trap (a sterile 
linen filter) attached to the end of the hose. A new filter was used for each sample, and 
each sample was kept separately. A surface area of 1 m2 at each sampling site was vacu-
umed for 1 min. Next, the samples were weighed and analyzed for mites as described by 
Solarz (2001a) with some modifications. First of all, the samples were prepared by soaking 
in 75% ethanol for 4 h, and then suspended in a saturated NaCl solution and a few drops 
of soap, and held for 24 h of floatation. After this time, supernatants were filtered through 
Whatman no. 388 filter paper. Sediments were again suspended in NaCl solution—the pro-
cedure was repeated at least 3 ×. Filters with material retained were placed in Petri dishes 
and poured over with saturated NaCl solution. Next, the surfaces of liquid and filter papers 
were carefully examined for mites under a Olympus Europe Highlight 2100 binocular 1 3 1 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 377 stereomicroscope, starting 24 h after pouring. All mites were mounted in Hoyer’s medium 
on microscope slides. All mite specimens collected were examined using differential inter-
ference contrast (Nomarski DIC) (under a Zeiss Axioskope 2 plus light microscope) and 
phase contrast optics (under an Olympus CH 40 light microscope). The identification of 
mites was made using descriptions of taxa and the following keys or publications: Fain 
et al. (1990), Baker (1999), Colloff (2009), Krantz and Walter (2009) and Solarz (2012). stereomicroscope, starting 24 h after pouring. All mites were mounted in Hoyer’s medium 
on microscope slides. All mite specimens collected were examined using differential inter-
ference contrast (Nomarski DIC) (under a Zeiss Axioskope 2 plus light microscope) and 
phase contrast optics (under an Olympus CH 40 light microscope). The identification of 
mites was made using descriptions of taxa and the following keys or publications: Fain 
et al. Materials and methods The variables noted in the examined buildings were valuated as follows: type of place 
examined (kitchen floor = 1, living room floor = 2, bedroom floor = 3, upholstery fur-
niture = 4; bed or other sleeping accommodation = 5), type of building (brick house = 1, 
wooden house = 2), presence or absence of pets (absent = 0, 1 animal = 1, two animals = 2, 
three and more = 3), type of heating (central = 1, coal stoves = 2), housewife (unem-
ployed = 0, employed = 1), type of sleeping accommodations (arm-chair = 1, couch = 2, 
settee = 3, sofa = 4, typical bed [with mattress] = 5), type of floor in bedroom (PVC = 1, 
wooden floor = 2, carpeted floor = 3), type of kitchen (closed = 1, open = 2), type of floor 
in kitchen (tiles = 1, linoleum = 2, PVC = 3, panels = 4, wooden floor = 5), cooking facil-
ity (gas = 1, combined gas and electric = 2, electric = 3, combined gas, electric and coal 
stoves = 4, combined gas and coal stoves = 5, only coal stoves = 6), type of upholstery fur-
niture (arm-chair full set = 1, couch = 2, sofa = 3, settee = 4), type of the upholstery furni-
ture covering (smooth/sky = 1, smooth material [cloth texture] = 2, plush = 3). The criterion variables analyzed were: number of mites per g dust, in relation to a par-
ticular species, total house dust mites (= Pyroglyphidae), total domestic mites (= Pyro-
glyphidae and other allergenic Astigmatina) and total mites (= all mite taxa collected). 3 1 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 378 Table 1   Species list, dominance, 
abundance and frequency of 
mites found in the examined 
house dust samples from houses 
in Stryszawa and vicinity 
(Małopolskie province) Diversity of mite taxa in particular places In bedrooms, both in beds and on floors, occurred the same four mite species, D. pteronys-
sinus, D. farinae, G. fusca and C. arcuatus (Table 2). Beds were dominated by G. fusca 
(39.1%) and D. pteronyssinus (37.6%), but bedroom floors by D. pteronyssinus (49.3%) 
and C. arcuatus (19.95%). The latter species was significantly less frequent in beds than 
on floors in bedrooms and living rooms (χ2 = 14.59, p = 0.0001) or than on floors of Table 2   Dominance, frequency and mean (± SD) abundance (number of mites per g dust) of the four most 
numerous mite species found in dust sampled from beds, bedroom floors, upholstery furniture of living 
rooms, living-room floors and kitchen floors of houses in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie province) Table 2   Dominance, frequency and mean (± SD) abundance (number of mites per g dust) of the four most 
numerous mite species found in dust sampled from beds, bedroom floors, upholstery furniture of living 
rooms, living-room floors and kitchen floors of houses in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie province)
N number of mite specimens, n number of positive samples, D (%) percentage of total count of mites col-
lected, F (%) percentage of the total number of samples positive for mites (n = 50)
Sample sources
Mites
Dominance
Frequency Abundance (mean ± SD)
N
D (%)
n
F (%)
Bed dust
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
563
37.61
36
72
20.64 ± 51.7
D. farinae
221
14.77
24
48
10.94 ± 28.65
Gohieria fusca
585
39.07
22
44
11.36 ± 31.98
Chortoglyphus arcuatus
128
8.55
5
10
7.90 ± 17.06
Bedroom floor
D. pteronyssinus
475
49.63
26
52
10.48 ± 17.61
D. farinae
105
10.98
17
34
9.05 ± 17.85
G. fusca
186
19.44
22
44
16.62 ± 53.71
C. arcuatus
191
19.95
16
32
10.23 ± 25.43
Upholstery fur-
niture of living 
room
D. pteronyssinus
413
41.01
23
46
17.44 ± 33.64
D. farinae
153
15.19
16
32
5.83 ± 13.80
G. fusca
204
20.26
23
46
12.42 ± 42.59
C. arcuatus
237
23.54
24
48
13.99 ± 39.17
Living-room floor
D. pteronyssinus
232
32.36
26
52
18.63 ± 31.54
D. farinae
161
22.45
17
34
6.49 ± 14.61
G. fusca
181
25.24
20
40
24.05 ± 122.96
C. arcuatus
143
19.95
16
32
18.50 ± 44.89
Kitchen floor
D. pteronyssinus
242
31.84
19
38
30.57 ± 62.14
D. farinae
135
17.76
19
38
15.45 ± 29.70
G. Composition of acarofauna The mean (± SD) age of examined houses constituted 54.8 years (± 25.2; median 50.0; 
range 10–100 years). Mean number of inhabitants during the study was 3.5 (± 1.71; median 
3; range 1–8 persons). The weight of samples ranged from 0.06 to 3.25  g (mean ± SD 
0.57 ± 0.51; median 0.39). Mean levels of relative humidity and temperature in the exam-
ined buildings during collection of dust samples were 60.1 ± 6.2% and 23.8 ± 1.8 °C. Mites were found in 187 of the 250 samples collected (74.8%) (Table 1). A total of 
5,340 mite specimens were isolated, including 2,771 members of the family Pyroglyphi-
dae (51.91%). Dominant were the pyroglyphid D. pteronyssinus (n = 1945, 36.4% of all 
mites), the glycyphagid Gohieria fusca (n = 1340, 25.1%), the chortoglyphid Chortogly-
phus arcuatus (n = 978, 18.3%) and the pyroglyphid D. farinae (n = 804, 15.1%). More-
over, within the Pyroglyphidae, 22 specimens of E. maynei (0.42%) and 1 female of H. chelidonis were identified. Among other allergenic non-pyroglyphid mites there were the 
glycyphagids Lepidoglyphus destructor (1.39%) and Glycyphagus privatus (1.35%) and the 
acarid Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Table 1). Table 1   Species list, dominance, 
abundance and frequency of 
mites found in the examined 
house dust samples from houses 
in Stryszawa and vicinity 
(Małopolskie province)
N number of mite specimens, n number of positive samples, D (%) 
percentage of total count of mites collected, F (%) percentage of total 
number of samples examined (n = 250)
Mite taxa
Dominance
Frequency
N
D (%)
n
F (%)
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
1945
36.42
133
53.2
Dermatophagoides farinae
804
15.06
93
37.2
Euroglyphus maynei
22
0.41
5
2.0
Hirstia chelidonis
1
0.02
1
0.4
Gohieria fusca
1340
25.09
106
42.4
Glycyphagus domesticus
7
0.13
5
2.0
Glycyphagus privatus
72
1.35
4
1.6
Lepidoglyphus destructor
74
1.39
16
6.4
Chortoglyphus arcuatus
978
18.31
91
36.4
Tyrophagus putrescentiae
2
0.04
2
0.8
Tyrophagus longior
1
0.02
1
0.4
Thyreophagus entomophagus
1
0.02
1
0.4
Caloglyphus berlesei
1
0.02
1
0.4
Xenoryctes sp. 3
0.06
3
1.2
Cheyletus sp. Composition of acarofauna 55
1.03
28
11.2
Tarsonemidae
4
0.07
2
0.8
Pygmephoridae
2
0.04
2
0.8
Tetranychidae
4
0.07
2
0.8
Oribatida (sensu lato)
8
0.15
5
2.0
Mesostigmata
16
0.30
16
6.4
Acari (total)
5340
100
187
74.8 1 1 3 1 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 379 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus was also the most frequent species and was found in 
133 samples (53.2% of the total count of samples examined), followed by G. fusca (42.4%), 
D. farinae (37.2%) and C. arcuatus (36.4%) (Table 2). The difference in frequency between 
D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae was statistically significant (χ2 = 5.17, p = 0.023). The first 
species was also significantly more frequent than C. arcuatus (36.4%; χ2 = 5.85, p = 0.016), 
whereas the difference in frequency between G. fusca and C. arcuatus was not significant 
(χ2 = 0.76, p = 0.38), as was the difference in frequency between G. fusca and D. farinae 
(χ2 = 0.52, p = 0.47). Lepidoglyphus destructor was found more frequently than Glycypha-
gus domesticus in the examined house-dust samples but this difference was not significant 
(χ2 = 2.08, p = 0.15). N number of mite specimens, n number of positive samples, D (%) percentage of total count of mites col-
lected, F (%) percentage of the total number of samples positive for mites (n = 50) Diversity of mite taxa in particular places fusca
215
28.29
18
36
48.86 ± 200.29
C. arcuatus
168
22.11
17
34
25.39 ± 65.26 N number of mite specimens, n number of positive samples, D (%) percentage of total count of mites col-
lected, F (%) percentage of the total number of samples positive for mites (n = 50) 1 3 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 380 kitchens (χ2 = 16.78, p < 0.00001). Moreover, it was significantly more frequent in sam-
ples from upholstery furniture in living rooms than in beds or other sleeping accommo-
dations (χ2 = 35.07, p < 0.00001). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and D. farinae were 
collected more frequently from bed dust samples than from floors in bedrooms or living 
rooms (Table 2) and both differences were significant (χ2 = 8.49, p = 0.004 and χ2 = 4.05, 
p = 0.044, respectively). The same four species were also the most abundant ones in the remaining indoor places 
examined (Table 2). All these places were dominated by D. pteronyssinus. Its dominance 
was highest on bedroom floors, then on upholstery furniture, in beds, on living room floors, 
and its dominance was lowest on kitchen floors (Table 2). The dominance of D. farinae 
was highest in samples from floors of living rooms and from kitchens. Chortoglyphus arcu-
atus occurred most numerously on upholstery furniture, whereas G. fusca was most numer-
ous in beds and on kitchen floors (Table 2). Differences in frequency are highest for D. pteronyssinus, between beds (72%) and kitchen floors (38%), and for C. arcuatus, between 
upholstery furniture (48%) and beds (10%); both differences were significant (χ2 = 23.35 
and 35.07, respectively, both p ≤ 0.00001). Gohieria fusca was more frequent in samples 
from upholstery furniture in living rooms and less frequent in samples from kitchen floors 
but the difference is not significant (χ2 = 2.07, p = 0.15). Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus 
was significantly more frequent than D. farinae in beds (χ2 = 12.0, p = 0.0005), in dust from 
bedroom and living room floors (χ2 = 6.61, p = 0.01) and in dust from upholstery furniture 
of living rooms (χ2 = 4.12, p = 0.042). Environmental factors influencing density and prevalence of mites Table 4 shows the effects of temperature, relative humidity and other environmental fac-
tors on the densities of mites per g of dust in the examined houses. The results of Spear-
man’s rank correlation test between some abiotic and biotic indoor environmental factors 
(housing conditions) and the mite prevalence and density in the examined dwellings sug-
gests associations between the total mite density (per g of dust) and the following both 
abiotic or biotic factors: lower weight of sample, lower age of building, presence of pets, 
higher number of rooms, higher number of inhabitants (family size), working house wife, 
open kitchen, wooden floor in kitchen, type of cooking (coal stoves), lower cleaning fre-
quency, type of upholstery furniture in living rooms (arm chairs), lower relative humid-
ity and higher temperature (Table  4). Significant positive correlations were also found 
between density of domestic mites and: lower weight of sample, presence of pets, higher 
number of rooms, higher number of inhabitants (family size), working house wife, couches 
as type of sleeping, open kitchen, wooden floor in kitchen, type of cooking (coal stoves), 
type of upholstery furniture in living rooms (arm chairs), lower relative humidity and 
higher temperature. Density of D. pteronyssinus was associated with beds, presence of 
pets, coal stoves used for heating, fewer rooms, higher cooking frequency, higher wash-
ing frequency, working housewife, open kitchen, wooden floors in kitchens, lower cleaning 
frequency, type of upholstery furniture in living rooms (arm chairs), lower humidity and 
higher temperature. Density of D. farinae was influenced by coal stoves used for heating, 
higher cooking frequency, working housewife, carpeted floors in bedrooms, open kitchen, 
wooden floors in kitchens, lower cleaning frequency, type of upholstery furniture in living 
rooms (arm chairs), lower humidity and higher temperature. Other correlations were not 
significant. i
Presence and abundance of E. maynei was influenced by higher number of rooms, 
couches, carpeted bedroom floors, coal stoves used for cooking and settee in living-rooms. In general, high densities of pyroglyphid mites (house dust mites) were associated with 
beds, lower age of buildings, presence of pets, coal stoves used for heating, higher cook-
ing and washing frequency, working housewife, open kitchens, wooden floors in kitchens, 
lower cleaning frequency, armchairs in living rooms, type of the upholstery furniture cov-
ering (plush), lower humidity and higher temperature. Abundance of G. Densities of mites Densities of mites per g of dust are presented in Table 3. Gohieria fusca was the most 
abundant mite species in the examined samples with (mean ± SD) 22.7 ± 110.4 specimens 
per g of dust, followed by D. pteronyssinus (19.55 ± 42.52) and C. arcuatus (15.2 ± 41.95). Dermatophagoides farinae, the second most medically important pyroglyphid species, was 
much less abundant, with 9.55 ± 22.12 specimens per g of dust. Generally, D. pteronyssinus Table 3   Mean (± SD), median and maximum number of mites per g of dust in samples from houses situ-
ated in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie province)
Mites
Mean ± SD
Median
Maximum
Variability 
coefficient
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
19.55 ± 42.52
3.60
342.40
217.43
Dermatophagoides farinae
9.55 ± 22.12
0.00
152.90
231.51
Euroglyphus manyei
0.32 ± 2.38
0.00
26.70
747.32
Gohieria fusca
22.66 ± 110.40
0.00
1154.50
487.21
Glycyphagus privatus
0.54 ± 7.54
0.00
118.60
1385.21
Lepidoglyphus destructor
0.51 ± 4.66
0.00
71.60
919.35
Chortoglyphus arcuatus
15.20 ± 41.95
0.00
312.50
275.94
Cheyletus sp. 0.63 ± 2.82
0.00
25.00
446.92
House dust mites (Pyroglyphidae)
29.89 ± 52.45
8.64
362.50
175.45
Domestic mites (Pyroglyphidae + other 
domestic Astigmatina)
43.06 ± 155.85
2.70
1418.1
361.88
Total mites
73.80 ± 163.40
26.45
1418.1
221.41 le 3   Mean (± SD), median and maximum number of mites per g of dust in samples from houses situ-
d in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie province) Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 381 was also the most abundant species per g of dust. It was significantly more abundant in all 
types of places examined (Table 2). The mean number of house dust mites per g of dust in the examined houses constituted 
29.9, and it was much lower than mean numbers of domestic mites (43.1) and total mites 
(73.8) per g of dust. This implies that the other non-pyroglyphid mites are an important 
part of domestic acarofauna in the examined agricultural areas of South Poland. Environmental factors influencing density and prevalence of mites fusca was associated with presence of pets, higher number of rooms 
and inhabitants, couches, open kitchens, and coal stoves used for cooking, whereas abun-
dance of C. arcuatus was associated with presence of pets, higher number of rooms and 
inhabitants, employed house-wife, couches, open kitchens, wooden kitchen floors, and coal 
stoves used for cooking. Other correlations were negative or not significant. 3 1 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 382 Table 4   Association (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients) of environmental factors and other criterion variables with densities of the particular mite taxa in examined 
samples (number of mites per g dust) from houses in Stryszawa and vicinity (Małopolskie province)
DP, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus; DF, D. Environmental factors influencing density and prevalence of mites farinae; EM, Euroglyphus manyei; GF, Gohieria fusca; GP, Glycyphagus privatus; LD, Lepidoglyphus destructor; CHA, Chor-
toglyphus arcuatus; CH, Cheyletus sp.; HDM, house dust mites (Pyroglyphidae); DM, domestic mites (Pyroglyphidae + other domestic Astigmatina); TM, total mites
*p<0 05 (Spearman’s rank correlation tests)
Variables
Mites
DP
DF
EM
GF
GP
LD
CHA
CH
HDM
DM
TM
Weight of sample
− 0.02
− 0.01
− 0.07
− 0.12
0.11
0.10
− 0.11
0.02
0.08
− 0.13*
− 0.28*
Type of place examined
0.15*
0.08
0.01
0.05
− 0.04
− 0.08
0.08
− 0.05
0.14*
0.04
0.11
Age of buidling
− 0.12
− 0.10
− 0.03
− 0.05
0.11
0.07
− 0.06
− 0.06
− 0.14*
− 0.07
− 0.13*
Type of buiding
− 0.03
0.03
− 0.05
0.09
0.05
− 0.01
0.03
0.03
0.01
0.10
0.08
Presence of pets
0.15*
0.08
0.11
0.13*
− 0.06
− 0.06
0.26*
0.06
0.14*
0.27*
0.36*
Type of heating
0.18*
0.18*
− 0.02
− 0.10
− 0.01
− 0.02
0.11
0.03
0.20*
0.06
0.06
Number of rooms
− 0.16*
0.09
0.21*
0.23*
0.02
− 0.11
0.16*
0.03
− 0.06
0.17*
0.18*
Cooking frequency (per week)
0.31*
0.31*
− 0.05
− 0.11
− 0.02
0.05
0.06
0.15*
0.35*
0.04
0.15
Number of inhibitants
− 0.09
− 0.03
− 0.03
0.21*
0.09
0.05
0.21*
0.02
− 0.07
0.21*
0.12*
Washing frequency (per week)
0.15*
0.01
− 0.09
0.02
− 0.06
0.06
− 0.05
0.13*
0.13*
− 0.01
0.01
House wife (employed or not)
0.15*
0.15*
0.10
0.06
− 0.10
0.05
0.17*
0.07
0.19*
0.15*
0.25*
Type of sleeping accommodations
0.02
0.04
− 0.14*
− 0.16*
− 0.13*
− 0.11
− 0.13*
0.05
0.02
− 0.19*
− 0.07
Bedroom floor type
− 0.05
0.16*
0.14*
− 0.01
0.01
0.03
− 0.04
− 0.08
0.01
− 0.01
0.06
Kitchen open or closed
0.26*
0.17*
0.07
0.41*
0.06
0.13*
0.35*
0.14*
0.32*
0.50*
0.47*
Type of kitchen floor
0.35*
0.28*
− 0.08
− 0.05
− 0.07
− 0.02
0.16*
0.03
0.38*
0.13*
0.26*
Type of cooking
0.04
0.03
0.20*
0.21*
0.01
0.10
0.14*
− 0.01
0.03
0.17*
0.16*
Cleaning frequency
− 0.14*
− 0.14*
− 0.12*
− 0.04
0.11
0.04
− 0.03
− 0.01
− 0.12*
− 0.01
− 0.12*
Type of upholstery furniture
− 0.41*
− 0.32*
− 0.20*
− 0.03
− 0.01
− 0.11
− 0.16*
− 0.06
− 0.39*
− 0.19*
− 0.35*
Type of the upholstery furniture covering
0.03
0.01
0.25*
− 0.08
− 0.01
0.05
− 0.06
0.01
0.03
− 0.05
− 0.01
Humidity (%RH)
− 0.18*
− 0.17*
− 0.04
− 0.31*
− 0.06
− 0.12
− 0.25*
0.016
− 0.22*
− 0.35*
− 0.38*
Temperature (°C)
0.45*
0.34*
− 0.04
0.03
− 0.08
0.07
0.08
0.16*
0.47*
0.15*
0.33* Discussion Ratios of numbers of particular pyroglyphid dust mite species, especially between D. pter-
onyssinus and D. farinae, are different in separate regions of the world (Fain et al. 1990; 
Colloff 2009). Decisive factors influencing their occurrence and abundance are mainly 
relative humidity and temperature of both outdoor and indoor air. It is commonly known 
that the optimal temperature is higher (25–30 °C) and optimal humidity lower (50–75% 
RH) for D. farinae than for D. pteronyssinus. The former species appear to survive better 
in dryer habitats than the latter, whereas lower temperature (15–20 °C) and higher humid-
ity (75–80% RH) favor D. pteronyssinus in mixed laboratory cultures (Dusbábek 1975; de 
Boer 1990; Arlian et al. 1998a, 1999; Solarz 2001b). Within the wide zone of temper-
ate climate, D. pteronyssinus is the most common and dominant species in more damp 
areas, at the seaside or in lowlands, which have a more humid climate. Dermatophagoides 
farinae, on the other hand, is more common and abundant in areas with a dry continental 
climate (intercontinental and alpine regions) (Dusbábek 1975; de Boer 1990; Horak et al. 1996; Solarz 2001a, b, 2010). Therefore, mean values of relative humidity in the examined 
dwellings were slightly below a critical equilibrium humidity (CEH) for pyroglyphid house 
dust mites (especially for D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei) (Arlian et al. 1998a, b; Colloff 
1991a, b, 2009), but they are distinctly higher than 45% RH (the lowest threshold of indoor 
humidity for mite survival in dwellings) (Hart 1998; Korsgaard 1998a, b). As results of 
other surveys in Poland indicated, D. pteronyssinus was found as the dominant species in 
Bydgoszcz, Warsaw, Cracow, Łódź, Poznań and vicinity, Bielsko-Biała and Wodzisław, 
whereas D. farinae was dominant in Gdańsk and Gdynia, in West Pomerania, and in most 
of the Upper Silesian cities (Chmielewski 1995; Horak et al. 1996; Racewicz 2001; Solarz 
2001a, 2012; Kosik-Bogacka et al. 2012). Summarizing, the domination of D. pteronys-
sinus in one-family houses appears to be characteristic for many agricultural or subagricul-
tural localities in Poland (Solarz 2010). This tendency may also indicate that dwellings at 
these localities in Poland become more favorable for mites. The indoor air ambient humid-
ity, which varies with the degree of ventilation of the dwellings, depends on the building 
construction (van Bronswijk and Schober 1991); therefore, energy-saving house insulation 
tends to increase indoor humidity and may lead to higher house dust mite densities (espe-
cially D. nyssinus; DF, D. farinae; EM, Euroglyphus manyei; GF, Gohieria fusca; GP, Glycyphagus privatus; LD, Lepidoglyphus destructor; CHA, Chor-
yletus sp.; HDM, house dust mites (Pyroglyphidae); DM, domestic mites (Pyroglyphidae + other domestic Astigmatina); TM, total mites Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 383 Discussion pteronyssinus) (Korsgaard 1998a). On the other hand, relative humidity was nega-
tively correlated with the number of mites in the examined houses.l A wide range of abiotic environmental indoor factors have been analyzed for their influ-
ence on pyroglyphid mite populations in the hope that limiting factors may be exploited 
in control (Korsgaard and Iversen 1991; van der Hoeven et al. 1992; Harving et al. 1993; 
Hart 1998; Korsgaard 1998a, b; Solarz 2001b; Kasprzyk et  al. 2014). In many studies, 
positive correlations were found between mite densities or allergen levels and relative 
(or absolute) air humidity of the dwelling (Korsgaard 1983a, 1998a, b; Hart and White-
head 1990; Harving et al. 1993; Hart 1998; Kasprzyk et al. 2014). Hart (1998) published 
the following environmental factors positively influencing mite levels: humidity, type of 
heating, type of mattress (springs), type of bedding (without impermeable covers), age of 
mattress, carpets, soft furnishings, soft toys, age of house, frequency of cleaning, num-
ber of inhabitants, presence of smoking persons and pets. Results obtained by Kasprzyk 
et al. (2014) showed that occurrence and abundance of dust mites in urban areas of Upper 
Silesia are mainly influenced by humidity, age and type of building (one-family houses, 
old houses), type of sleeping accommodation (typical beds), type of floor (carpeted) and 
furniture (upholstered), type of wall (wallpapers), type of kitchen (open), higher cleaning 1 3 Experimental and Applied Acarology (2019) 77:375–386 384 and washing frequency and signs of moulds. It was also suggested that differences in the 
prevalence of mites between dwellings are a reflection of associations between the environ-
mental requirements of mites or their biological characteristics (especially in relation to air 
humidity), and degree of indoor dampness, largely influenced by household activities, fam-
ily size, dwelling space, cooking or washing frequency, and some other factors (Korsgaard 
and Iversen 1991; van der Hoeven et al. 1992; Solarz 2001b; Kasprzyk et al. 2014). These 
suggestions also correspond with the results actually obtained, except for humidity, and 
for number of rooms (house or flat size), which was considered as the dry factor in Japan 
(Sakaki and Suto 1995). Moreover, the age of a building was sometimes classified as the 
‘dry’ factor (in the case of flats in urban areas), whereas in the case of single-family houses 
of a subagricultural settlement it could be classified as the ‘humid’ factor (Korsgaard and 
Iversen 1991; Hart 1998; Solarz 2001b; Kasprzyk et al. Funding  Funding was provided by Medical University of Silesia in Katowice (Grant no. KNW-1-137/N/8/I). Open Access  This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Interna-
tional License (http://creat​iveco​mmons​.org/licen​ses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, 
and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the 
source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Discussion 2014). It was also suggested that 
at the present time, the only way to guarantee lower mite allergen levels in modern homes 
in the ‘western world’ is to remove the carpets and to encase the mattress (or other sleep-
ing accommodation) and bedding (Simpson et al. 2001). Certain studies, however, showed 
weak or no correlation between these environmental factors and mite density (e.g., Ree 
et al. 1997).f Summarizing, the differences in the geographic distribution of particular species of both 
pyroglyphid house dust mites and domestic non-pyroglyphid mites, as well as the mite pop-
ulation densities both within and between dwellings or localities, are attributed to variation 
in biotic and abiotic factors of the indoor environment or in ecological requirements of the 
various mite species. During studies performed in South Poland (Solarz 2001a, b, 2010) it 
was found that mite populations on floors are more dependent on environmental factors (as 
the type of building, type of heating, relative humidity or temperature) than mites from the 
other places examined. Moreover, some sampling methods (sweepings, car vacuum clean-
ers) are more effective for collecting non-pyroglyphid domestic mites than for pyroglyph-
ids. Generally, the older buildings and stoves are more favorable for the occurrence of both 
D. pteronyssinus and the domestic non-pyroglyphids, whereas new buildings, with central 
heating systems, favor the higher abundance of D. farinae. Aller A (2010) A study of the areas and frequency of house dust mites Dermatophagiodes in Illinois Homes. 
ESSAI 7(1):6–9. http://dc.cod.edu/essai​/vol7/iss1/8 Aller A (2010) A study of the areas and frequency of house dust mites Dermatophagiodes in Illinois Homes. 
ESSAI 7(1):6–9. http://dc.cod.edu/essai​/vol7/iss1/8
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