more Computer Loving Mites

Infested New Monitor
We received about 12 new Dell computers at our company a few weeks ago. While getting the first couple setup, I noticed small reddish brown "dots" moving around the flat screen monitors. After a little investigation, I found they seemed to be coming from an infestation inside the monitors. In particular, two monitors. Their shipping boxes had pinched burned or blacked corners, which probably occurred during shipping. I visited with Dell, and they are replacing the monitors. They claim their warehouse facilities are "clean" and inspected. As we have never had this happen previously, I will take their word this time. However, even a visit by Orkin and a bug bomb in the room where I had been working on the monitors….didn’t kill the creatures. They are probably around 1 millimeter in size….if I’m guessing correctly. They seem to look like some sort of mite. I was finally able to track down a good macro lens today, and take a couple of pictures. They move relatively fast, though they do not jump and they have a soft shell body which squishes fairly easily. Orkin did bag several to send off to an extension of Texas A&M for identification. I’m still awaiting the news. Here are the two pictures of the "critters". Any help on identification and suggestions on eradication, would be greatly appreciated.
Robert (in West Texas)

Hi Robert,
This is a Mite, but we are not sure what species. This is not the first report we have gotten concerning Computer Loving Mites. We are curious if you get a proper identification from Texas A&M, Please let us know what you find out.

Update from Barry M. OConnor (05/23/2006)
"More computer loving mites" 3/21/06. This is a "clover mite", Bryobia praetiosa. This is one of the spider mites, but Bryobia species don’t make the silk webs most often associated with this group. Bryobia are plant feeding mites that are rather non-specific and often feed on plants growing in lawns or otherwise around homes. This species is unusual in that it overwinters as adults and seeks out warmer places in the fall. They commonly enter houses or other buildings. The spider mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, like Anystis and Balaustium, and many, like Bryobia, are also red in color. The dark material seen in the photo is ingested plant material. These are harmless to people, but will leave a red mark on the wall if you squish them!