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Bird/Rodent/Nest Mites
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Mites that sometimes invade homes and bite people -
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Summary:
There are a number of small
mites that normally feed on the blood of
animals such as birds and rodents but can bite
people as well. These mites do not infest
homes over the long-term but may enter rooms from a
nearby abandoned
animal nest. Bites are irritating and itchy
but not otherwise dangerous.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext.
Entomologist (ret.)
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Bird/rodent/nest mite identification
These mites belong to a group of mites
that parasitize birds (including poultry) and
rodents. They live in the animal's nest and feed on
its blood. They normally do not leave the host's
nest but may do so if the nest is abandoned
for some reason, or the host animal dies.
When mites leave the host animal's
nest they can enter homes, sometimes in large
numbers. They will bite people but cannot survive
and reproduce on our blood alone. The bite is irritating
and itchy but not otherwise dangerous. Mites
can survive for weeks or even months without
feeding.
Bites can also occur when people
handle birds, poultry, or rodents. For example
people who raise poultry and pet store workers
frequently report bird mite bites. Adult mites are
about 1/32" and often dark in color because of the
presence of blood inside the mite (see photo).
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Hummingbird mite
(~1/32") (probably Pellonyssus gorgasi)
and a human hair. Dark coloration inside
mite is blood on which the mite had fed;
some use the term "black pepper mite"
referring to this coloration. This photo was
taken with a inexpensive digital camera, and
digitally enlarged. Photo by Elizabeth
DeAngelis.
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Bird mite bites look like mosquito
bites
The reaction to a bite varies from
person to person and even depends on which species of
mite caused the bite. In general, however, the bite
site will be bright red in color, sometimes surrounded
by a rash. The bites often itch and treatment is
generally by OTC anti-itch lotions. Obviously you
should seek medical attention if the bite becomes
infected.
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Myths and misinformation
There is considerable misinformation
about bird mites, much of it propagated by websites
promoting remedies to imagined whole-house
infestations. There is no evidence whatsoever
that any of the bird/rodent/nest mites infest homes.
Rather they enter houses when their natural animal
hosts abandon the nest or die. They don't
establish a permanent infestation because we are
not a suitable substitute host.
Bird mites do not jump, hop or fly and
in fact can't move very far from their source (notice
the short legs in the photo above). So where you find
them the original source nest is probably nearby. They
don't burrow into
skin and are easy to wash off with soap and
water. The mites are small but not impossible to see,
even without magnification (see photo above). They DO
NOT multiply in homes and are not difficult to
eliminate once the original animal nest is removed.
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How to eliminate bird mites
The first and most important step is to locate and remove the
infested bird or rodent nest. In the case of
song birds remember that you should not disturb the occupied
nests of most birds in the US because they are
protected by endangered species laws.
Second, carefully clean
the room where mites are found. Vacuum rugs,
drapes, furniture and so forth, and dispose of the
dust bag outside because mites can escape from the
bag. Next, wash hard surfaces with a suitable, mild
detergent. Insecticides are generally not needed but
if you decide to treat use one of the new botanical,
plant-based insecticides (see Using
Botanical Pesticides) as a safer alternative to
conventional insecticides.
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Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
unbiased information for solving common insect and
mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD,
 , email:
[email protected]
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