Mites are important to people and the ecosystem as a whole.
Before we consider how they affect us adversely, we should recognize that the good that they do as a group far outweighs the harm that they do to us.
On the plus side, mites are important and often essential components of the ecosystems that are important to people.
For example, some of them are important decomposers that help to return dead organisms to the soil, and predatory mites help to keep populations of pestiferous mites and insects in check.
On the negative side, they themselves may be parasites of humans and our domestic animals; some of them transmit human diseases; others attack our crop plants; and some damage grain and other stored products.
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