Bird Mites

Identification

• very tiny; about the size of a period on a typed page
• black, yellow or white; appear bright red after feeding

Nesting Habits

Dermanyssus gallinae (chicken mite):

• nests of birds
• hide in small, protected areas when they are not feeding

Ornithonyssus sylviarum (northern fowl mite):

•  all life stages on host, but adults may be found in areas around the host

Diet

• blood meals from hosts, including chickens, pigeons, sparrows, doves and starlings
• will feed on humans in absence of primary host
• feed mostly at night

Significance

• can migrate from bird nests or poultry houses (in- and outdoors) or rodents onto structures and crawl onto people and bite, causing skin irritation or itching
• spread by people, equipment and birds from infested areas
• can survive up to a month off a host

IPM Recommendations

• Remove bird nest using the inverted bag technique and clean the surface that came into contact with the nest
• Seal cracks and crevices where mites may hide and enter.
• In infested homes, hot wash and hot dry bedding and clothing left on floors.
• Take measures to control rodents and wild birds (see Vertebrate Pests).
• Use appropriately labeled dust-formulated insecticides, such as silica aerogel, as crack and crevice treatments.