There is growing momentum to protect the earth’s megadiverse invertebrates. Mites, which may number more than a million species, exploit terrestrial and aquatic habitats across the global spectrum of ecosystems. They occupy different trophic levels where they engage in phytophagy, predation and the consumption organic matter. Many mite species have phoretic and/or parasitic relationships with invertebrates or vertebrates, especially insects. There are strong ethical, philosophical and spiritual reasons that justify mite conservation. Despite these reasons and their fundamental importance to global ecological functioning, interest in mite conservation and actions that support it have been limited, even among acarologists. Their survival reflects their adaptability and resilience to disturbance or their living in relatively undisturbed or protected areas. Warnings have been issued about losses and increasing threats to mite diversity and global ecological functioning. The Mite Specialist Group of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission was formed in response. The best-known mite species are harmful to humans or their domesticated animals and plants but the ‘other 99%’ are neutral or beneficial. Mite conservation across the world can be advanced from home gardens to the landscape level through a variety of strategic approaches built on research, education, and community and political engagement. These approaches must address the immediate causes of mite population decline, including climate change and habitat degradation; enhance habitat heterogeneity and connectivity from the local scale to the ecosystem scale; and ensure compliance with international biodiversity agreements. Decarbonisation, reduced global defence spending, peaceful coexistence and social justice in all its dimensions are also essential.