I first learned about wood mites the hard way—finding tiny crawling things on some walnut boards I’d stored in my garage. Freaked me out, honestly. Were they termites? Some kind of beetle? Would they destroy my lumber stash?
Turns out they were wood mites, and they’re way less scary than I initially thought. Actually kind of interesting once you understand what they’re doing.
What Wood Mites Actually Are
Wood mites are tiny arachnids—related to spiders and ticks, not insects. Most are almost invisible to the naked eye, though you might see them as tiny white or cream-colored specks moving around on wood surfaces.
They’re not eating the wood itself. That’s the key thing. Unlike termites or powder post beetles, wood mites don’t damage lumber. They’re feeding on mold and fungi that grow on wood surfaces, especially wood that’s been stored in damp conditions.
So in a weird way, they’re actually helping. They’re eating the stuff that could cause problems, not creating problems themselves.
Why They Show Up
Wood mites appear when conditions are right for mold—primarily moisture. Lumber stored in humid environments, wood that got wet before drying, or pieces kept in poorly ventilated spaces can develop the fungal growth that mites feed on.
My garage in summer is basically a mite spa. Hot, humid Georgia air plus enclosed space equals exactly the conditions they like. That’s why I found them on that walnut—I’d stored the boards during a particularly wet June and the moisture content climbed.
Kiln-dried lumber from the lumberyard rarely has mites because it’s been dried to low moisture content and the heat kills both mold and mites. Air-dried lumber or lumber that’s been stored improperly is more susceptible.
Should You Worry?
Short answer: probably not, with some exceptions.
The mites themselves won’t damage your wood. They won’t infest your house in any meaningful way. They won’t bite you or cause health problems for most people.
Some people are allergic to mites and can have respiratory reactions or skin irritation when exposed. If you’re handling mite-infested wood and notice symptoms, that’s worth taking seriously. Wear a mask and gloves when handling affected lumber.
The mold that attracts mites is a different story. Some molds can discolor wood permanently, and mold spores can cause respiratory issues. If you’re seeing enough mites to notice them, you probably have a moisture problem worth addressing.
Getting Rid of Them
The mites will disappear on their own once you eliminate their food source—the mold. And the mold goes away when you reduce moisture.
Move lumber to a drier location if possible. Increase airflow around stored wood. Use a dehumidifier in enclosed spaces. Stack lumber with stickers between boards to allow air circulation.
For lumber that’s already affected, let it dry out thoroughly. The mold will die back and the mites will leave or die off without their food source. You can wipe down surfaces with a dry brush to remove dead mites and mold residue before using the wood.
Kiln drying wood kills everything—mites, mold, larvae, all of it. If you’re really concerned about a particular batch of lumber, some local kilns will dry individual loads for a reasonable fee.
Prevention
Store lumber properly and you’ll rarely see mites. That means:
Keep it dry. Moisture content below about 12% doesn’t support the mold growth that mites need. A cheap moisture meter helps you monitor this.
Allow airflow. Stack lumber on stickers with space between boards. Don’t pack it tight against walls or in corners where air stagnates.
Control humidity. A dehumidifier in your shop or lumber storage area makes a huge difference in humid climates. Keep relative humidity below 60% if possible.
Inspect new lumber. Before bringing wood into long-term storage, check it for signs of mold or moisture issues. Better to leave a problem board outside than to introduce it to your dry lumber stash.
The Bigger Picture
Wood mites are part of the natural ecosystem that breaks down dead wood. In a forest, they’re one of countless organisms recycling fallen trees back into soil. Finding them in your shop just means conditions mimicked what they’re adapted to.
I don’t freak out about them anymore. When I see mites, I see a humidity reminder. Address the moisture, and the mites solve themselves. Simple as that.
That walnut from my garage? Dried out fine once I moved it to better storage. Used it for a jewelry box last winter. No mites, no mold, no problems.
