House dust mites feed on

• A. Plant pollen
• B. Mold spores
• C. Animal dander
• D. Shed human skin

Answer: (D)

House dust mites rely on organic debris found in household dust, especially the tiny flakes of human skin that people shed daily. That skin is rich in keratin and provides a steady food source for these mites, which is why they flourish in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets where skin scales accumulate. Pollen and mold spores may be present in dust, but they are not the main food for dust mites, and animal dander, while part of the dust environment, isn’t their primary nourishment. Understanding this helps explain why controlling humidity and reducing skin-shedding debris in sleeping areas can limit dust mite populations.