Knowledgebase
rat mites #301305
Asked February 16, 2016, 1:11 AM EST
if the carcass of a rat is inaccessible will mites stop reproducing with time or is there a better way to prevent bites from continuing?
San Joaquin County California
Expert Response
Sorry you are having to deal with this. Is there more than one carcass? The mites, like fleas, leave the host rat as the body cools after death. The mites feed for a time but can not usually reproduce on a human who is using "normal" hygiene (bathing). However it can persist for some time.
I suggest you contact County Public Health to get more information on helping with the bites.