Pest Home

                                                           BIRD MITE

 

Bird and mammal mites are often encountered as household invaders during the late spring and summer
months. Mites (order Acarina) can be distinguished from their insect relatives by the two body regions
(cephalothorax and abdomen), sucking mouthparts, lack of antennae, and four pairs of legs (as adults). The mite life cycle generally consists of an egg stage, a larval stage, one or more nymphal stages, and an adult stage. The entire life cycle requires 1 to 6 weeks (2-3 on the
average) for completion.

Bird Mites; the chicken mite and the northern fowl mite are both ectoparasites of poultry and other domestic fowl, as well as many species of wild birds. These mites are commonly found in buildings where bird nests are located around the eaves or in attics. The life cycle is very short, and if conditions are favorable, complete development may occur in 7 days.

Mammal Mites: several species of mites associated with mammals may be found in homes. These include the house mouse mite, the rodent mite and the rat mites. All of these mites are associated with wild or domestic rodent populations. The life cycle of these mites generally requires 17 to 23 days. If these mites are found they almost certainly indicate the presence of a rodent infestation in or around the building.

Other mites found in the home, in addition to the bird and mammal mites, include the house dust mites,
clover mites, grain mites and roach mites. Because of the varied habits of the mites found in buildings, it is important to have any mite pest accurately identified.

Integrated Bird & Mammal Mite Management

Although the normal host animals of biting mites are birds and rodents, they will bite humans. This occurs
most frequently in the late spring and summer when mite populations are high and when young birds and rodents begin to leave their nests. The hungry mites wander away from these nests in search of food and may be found climbing about on walls, ceilings and bedding. The bites of these mites cause itching, swelling and raised, reddish spots on the skin.

Although standard insect repellents containing diethyl meta-toluamide (deet) will prevent these mites
from biting, longterm, continuous use of these productsis not recommended.

Effective control of bird and mammal mites is achieved by:

(1) locating and removing bird or rodent nests;

(2) treating infested areas with an appropriate pesticide.

The first step is to locate all bird and/or rodent nests. Search for nests around eaves, in attics, in
chimneys, in wall voids, in basements, and around porches and foundations. After locating any nests, but BEFORE removing them, treat with chlorpyrifos. Now, remove any nests and dispose of them (away from the building!). Immediately after doing so, thoroughly treat the infested area. Additional spot treatments in areas where mites are seen wandering (like baseboards) may be helpful. Be sure
to initiate any structural changes or sanitary measures needed to prevent re-infestation by birds or mammals.

Mites are small arthropods with two body regions, sucking mouthparts, no antennae, and four pairs of legs. The life cycle of a mite is generally composed of four active stages: egg, larva, nymph, and adult. The life cycle usually requires one to four weeks and may result in huge populations of mites under favorable conditions.
    Bird mites are parasites that feed on birds. Sparrows, starlings and pigeons are birds often associated with bird mite infestations in buildings. Bird mites bite humans but do not possess a health threat. That means they are not vectors of various deadly diseases. Bird mites do not feed on stored foods, attack plants/household furnishings. They will probably infest pet birds.
Generally, mites are barely visible to the naked eye. They breed on the host bird (i.e., poultry, pigeons and starlings) and will leave the body of a dead host to seek a new host in large numbers, and wander over walls, ceilings and bedding. Bites from mites can cause itching and dermatitis. They can survive two to three weeks away from the host.
    Adult bird mites have four pairs of legs and appear as barely visible red and gray, generally slow-moving and require optical equipment for identification. Bird Mite irritations may be confused with entomophobia (fear of insects). Mite diagnosis is often difficult because specimens must be collected and identified by trained specialists before treatment can be given.

Control Measures
Finding and eliminating bird nests in the house or building is the first step in bird mite control. This is followed by spraying miticide in the bird nest and its vicinity. Spray into cracks, crevices and corners but not counters, cupboards and other such general areas.