Bird mites are avian parasites that live on the skin of domestic fowl and wild birds. If these pests make their way into your home they can affect you for several weeks at a time. â
Mite bites can cause mild to severe discomfort and disrupt your everyday activities. If you live in an area where you could get a mite infestation, follow the necessary measures to keep them at bay.
Bird mites can bite people even though they require bird blood to complete their life cycle and survive. Human blood, though, isn’t enough for survival.
Because these mites are so tiny, it’s easy to miss them and have trouble identifying them. Typically, an adult bird mite is smaller than one millimeter (mm).
In addition to living close to bird nests, these mites are originally from birds such as chickens, pigeons, sparrows, and starlings.
Bird blood is the only food that bird mites can survive on. Without bird blood, they can’t complete their life cycle. In roughly one week, a bird mite can develop from an egg to a larva, nymph, and mature adult. While some mites can live up to several weeks, others can only survive for seven days.
A bird mite can be identified by its oval, white or grayish body, hairy back, and eight legs. These mites have the ability to change color and take on a reddish tint after feedings.
How to Identify Bird Mites
Because bird mites are so tiny, it may be difficult to notice them right away. Mature mites are still visible to the unaided eye and are about 1/32 inch long. Some describe bird mites as walking pepper flakes. Â A young mite has only six legs. Adult mites have eight. Although their colors can vary, the majority of them are gray or brown.
Signs of a bird mite infestation. Small bites all over the body are the first indication of a bird mite infestation. The night and early morning hours are when bird mites are most active. Getting up each day to find a few more bites is normal. Â.
The itching is tolerable during the day, but when you try to fall asleep, it might get more intense. This reaction takes place when a mite injects its saliva into the body of its host during feeding. The appearance of red bumps where the mite bit is another typical sign.
Though they may seem similar, bedbugs, scabies, lice, ticks, and other common pests differ from one another in several ways. To eradicate the pest, it’s critical to identify it. You can always treat bird mite bites if they’re keeping you awake at night by:
- In the shower, scrub your skin with a loofah and lotion.
- applying a body wash and shampoo containing coal tar once or twice daily
- Adding a few drops of bleach to your bathwaterÂ
- Applying a topical steroid prescription to reduce inflammation
- Taking oral antihistamines to decrease the itch
Getting Rid of Bird Mites
The best way to get rid of mites in your home is to physically remove them. You may attempt using a wet cloth to wipe them down or vacuuming them. It is imperative that you discard the vacuum cleaner bag right away to permanently exclude mites from your home. To prevent an infestation altogether, experts recommend that you:
- Get rid of any dead birds or abandoned nests.
- Use efficient insecticides such as deltamethrin, Ã-cyfluthrin, or permethrin to treat your home.
- Hire a pest control service.
Bird mites won’t do any more damage than a few restless nights brought on by an insatiable itching Still, its better to keep them out of sight. Before deciding to remove any birds that may be nesting on your property, keep an eye out for any violations of wildlife laws. Discuss treatment options with your doctor if you have bothersome mite bites.
FAQ
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