This study found that > or = 1 life stage(s) of Sarcoptes scabiei (L.) was significantly attracted to the nitrogenous compounds, guanine, purine, adenine, allantoin, hypoxanthine, xanthine, uric acid, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Females and larvae responded to all compounds. Males responded to all compounds except purine and allantoin. Nymphs responded to all compounds except allantoin. Some specific concentrations of compounds attracted only 1 life stage but other concentrations attracted multiple life stages. Also, some life stages were attracted by multiple concentrations of a compound. The concentration that induced the greatest response by a particular life stage varied between life stages. Overall, greater percentages of females were attracted to the nitrogenous compounds than any other life stage. Females responded to more concentrations of a compound compared to other life stages. Males responded to fewer concentrations then immatures. In addition, all life stages of S. scabiei were significantly attracted to the phenolic compounds, 2,6-dichlorophenol, methyl salicylate, and 2-nitrophenol. Nymphs followed by females responded to the most concentrations. The results indicated that these nitrogenous wastes and phenolic compounds acted in a pheromone-like manner that induced assembly of these ectoparasitic mites.