'mite-ridden' originates from the combination of 'mite,' a small arachnid, and 'ridden,' a past participle of 'ride,' used in the sense of being overrun or infested.

'mite' comes from Old English 'mīte,' and 'ridden' is derived from the Old English 'rīdan,' meaning to ride or travel.

Initially, 'ridden' meant to travel or be carried, but in this context, it evolved to mean being overrun or infested.