BIRD MITES
Bird mites, also called chicken mites, are pests that many people don’t think about. These tiny insects are a nuisance, nonetheless.
They typically live on the skin of different birds including chickens but can find their way into homes and other structures. This is when they can become a problem for humans.
Think you have a problem with bird mites? Here’s what you need to know, including what they look like, symptoms of a mite bite, and ways to prevent an infestation.
What are bird mites?
Although bird mites are a pest, they aren’t a parasite to humans. That is, they don’t need human blood to survive.
These mites are so small and minute that they’re often overlooked and difficult to spot. An adult bird mite typically measures less than 1 millimeter (mm).
If you spot a bird mite, you’ll notice its white or grayish oval body, hairy back, and eight legs. After feedings, these mites can change color and develop a reddish hue.
What are bird mites infestation?
‘Bird mites’ is the collective name for several types of mites for which the main food source comes from chicks being reared in nests. So what do bird mites look like? These tiny insects measure less than 1mm in size, and are translucent white until they have digested a blood meal, after which they turn a reddish brown colour. Although they mainly feed on birds in the outdoors, they may make their way into homes if they lack a food source.
Bird Mite Habitat?
Unlike other mites and ticks, bird mites live almost entirely off the blood of birds. They use them as hosts and are known for populating inside their nests. Bird mites are especially fond of warmer climates, so they’re especially active in the spring and early summer. And they’re found throughout the whole world.
Bird Mite Behaviors, Threats or Dangers?
Bird Mites are often overlooked, especially since they don’t rely on humans for hosts. They can still bite, resulting in irritation and the possibility of allergic reaction. If you work with birds you are at risk of bird mites, but the same applies if an infected bird has nested in your attic, chimney, or within small cracks of your property. If that’s the case, Jopestkil Kenya Best Ways to Get Rid of Bird Mites? will help clear out the infestation mess.
Where do bird mites come from?
Bird mites are usually found near the nesting areas of pigeons and other birds but may enter the home in search of a new food source once their existing one is depleted. Often when they enter homes it is due to an existing problem with birds nesting in lofts, chimneys, eaves, window ledges or balconies. Solar panels provide the perfect sheltered nesting area for pigeons, so homes with these installed are susceptible to bird mites entering through the roof.
Where do bird mites hide?
Bird mites are drawn to warm and moist conditions. In the home, they are often found around windows and at ceiling junctions, or in bedding, in search of a blood meal. Naturally they tend to be found in homes that birds are nesting in or near. They are most active during spring and early summer, when bird nests are prolific.
How do you know if you have bird mites?
Signs of bird mites can be hard to come by as they are often low in numbers and are very small. You may see tiny red dots moving around your walls, ceiling and bed, or you may experience itchy bites.
Birds are, of course, the preferred food source of bird mites, and they cannot survive longer than three weeks without this. Whilst on the hunt for a new food source, however, they may resort to feeding off mammals, including humans. Female bird mites may bite any part of the body, and these usually appear as swollen or raised red bumps which unfortunately can be hard to distinguish from bed bug bites. These bites do not spread disease or cause illness but are an annoyance and may irritate skin.
How to prevent bird mites?
It’s important to tackle the root cause of the problem and address bird activity around your home. If you have solar panels, you can have them pigeon-proofed by specialists as an easy way of preventing bird mites. If pigeons, starlings and sparrows are nesting nearby, then you can make your home less appealing for them by taking advantage of bird control solutions. Here we offer various humane methods of bird pest control.
How to get rid of bird mites?
If you think you have bird mites in the house, the first step is to get this confirmed by a professional who can then locate the source of the infestation and take the necessary actions to eradicate it. This will typically involve the removal of the birds’ nest causing the problem, and the application of an approved insecticide. Other potentially infested areas will also be given an effective bird mite treatment to eradicate any that have migrated. This process is much more effective than attempting to tackle the problem with home remedies which do not guarantee complete removal of the infestation and do not necessarily get to the root of the problem.
How to get rid of bird mites?
Physical removal is the best control when bird mites are found in homes.
Vacuum them or wipe them up with a moist cloth.
Vacuuming does not kill the mites.
Freeze or throw away the vacuum cleaner bag to prevent the mites from crawling back out.
There are several steps to prevent bird mites from entering a home.
Remove any dead birds that you find.
Remove and dispose of empty nests.
Do not disturb nests if eggs or young birds of federally protected songbirds are present.
If the nesting season is over and only adults remain, you may remove the nest without harming the birds.
Pigeons, starlings and house sparrows are not federally protected. You may remove their nests any time.