Bird mites are tiny eight-legged creatures. What they lack in size, they make up for in their bite! Bitten areas of skin can be incredibly itchy and while the bites themselves are small, they are often numerous and very red.
Bird mites can be found where there are chickens (and other poultry), sparrows, pigeons and certain other birds. They love humid conditions, and Brisbane, Queensland is one of their favourite places to live and breed.
While bird mites feed on human blood, they can’t complete their breeding cycle on mammals. They never burrow below the surface of human skin, but they can be transferred from human bodies to lounge suites, carpets and even beds.
Who is at risk of bird mite infestation?
People likely to be infested by bird mites include:
- People who own chickens or come into contact with them;
- Those you have pigeons around their property; and
- If you have birds nesting inside your roof or around the gutters/eaves of your house.
Bird mite treatment
At Blue Chip Termite & Pest Control, our first step in mite treatment is to give you advice on how to reduce your bird mite problem.
The next step is to use an insecticide dust in the areas where your birds roost or forage. The insecticide dust is a low risk for birds but is a very effective treatment for mites.
In some situations, bird mites come from pigeons or other birds that hang around the edge of roofing, where they often flap their wings. The bird mites then enter homes through windows and doors. In these cases, we may need to dust your roof area.
It may also be necessary to spray your couches and any other indoor areas where you could be getting bitten.
Just one spray usually sorts out the problem but most of our customers that have chickens will get a dusting treatment every 6 or 12 months to stop the problem before it starts.
Mite bites treatment
If you have been bitten by bird mites, clean the affected area of skin to get rid of any mites. You can also use an over-the-counter anti-itch cream to reduce itchiness.
See a doctor immediately if you’re worried about your bird mite bites or if you have a severe reaction. A doctor will probably prescribe a topical steroid, antihistamines or antibiotics if there’s a secondary infection.
Get rid of bird mites
To protect your birds and your family from bird mites, get in touch with Blue Chip Termite & Pest Control today. We provide effective bird mite treatment as well as other expert pest control services in Brisbane and surrounding areas.
