These mites are not burrowing mites and are not associated with hair follicles. They are obligate parasites and they spend all their life cycle on the host. They feed on host lymph by piercing the skin. The mites usually die within 2 days when off the host but under experimental conditions females of Cheyletiella survived for up to 10 days off the host. The life cycle is completed in 3 weeks.
Eggs are small and loosely attached to the hairs.
Louse nits are much larger and are firmly cemented to hairs. The eggs hatch into six legged larvae. The adult develops at the end of the third week. The mites are highly contagious and the disease is worse in very young animals. Severe infestations may occur in pet shops.