Mites or other new parasite in Michigan? I'm getting bit. - Ask Extension
I have been seeing white dots that look like dandruff all over the place. They blow from the trees on the car and in the car. People are itching all a...
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Mites or other new parasite in Michigan? I'm getting bit. #434277
Asked November 10, 2017, 8:15 PM EST
I have been seeing white dots that look like dandruff all over the place. They blow from the trees on the car and in the car. People are itching all around me. I catch them digging their eyes, followed by scratching their arm or head. They are found in gas stations, stores on produce, even clothing in stores. I took my blankets to the laundry mat. I watched a guy shaking his clothes out. He went in the bathroom with a small vacuum and vacuumed his clothes baskets out. They get in your eyes, bite the corners of your eyes, in the skin but are scattered about. They get in your ears, belly button and other crevises on the body. They burrow into the skin. They feel like sand after being removed from a bite and some feel like tiny tiny worms when on the skin. All are white and some clear. Their size is like dandruff and some are larger. They look like walking dandruff on a cat. Is there a mite amount us? I've been to a dermatologist who took a plug from my hip after seeing me pull one from my skin ( she watched me ). Then I showed her the white speck on my finger tip. The test did not confirm scabies. They are inconsistent in location on the body. I should mention a teen with her mom were in the waiting room. The teens rash looked just like mine. They itch unless you scratch them. Then it hurts. They attach to clothing - all over not just on the seams like body lice. They do not like leather so I sleep in the recliner often. I'm on another round of permithIan cream. I have researched and researched this. I thought it was oak tree mites; however, those only last about 2 weeks. This has gone on too long. I get treated and it comes back after a couple weeks. I'm bit at work then clear up at home. We have de all over the house. I make a bee line to the washer after going out anywhere in public. I'm exhausted and still searching for answers. This is similar to the situation when earwigs were brought in from another geographic area....the cause wood chips. I've never seen anything like this in Michigan until this year.
Oakland CountyMichigan
Expert Response
Hello,
Those whites things in the photo are not insects or mites. I can't tell anything from the 'bites'. I have not heard of anything new like this being found in Michigan. You can send me some specimens in alcohol if you want.
To preserve and protect
fragile specimens, it’s always best to submit insects in a small leak proof
vial filled with rubbing alcohol or vinegar (the postal service prefers you
send them in vinegar). Place the vial in
a small zip-lock baggie, then in a small box or mailing tube.
You might try collecting some specimens using a lint roller and send the roller sheet to me. Every time you feel something crawl on or bite you, roll the area with the lint roller. Use the same sheet over and over again until it is no longer sticky. Send me one roller sheet. Wrap it with wax paper to keep it from sticking to the envelope. Mail in a padded envelope or box to this address.
Diagnostic Services
578 Wilson Rd.
East
Lansing MI 48824-6469
Be sure to
include a note with your contact information and the complete address where the
bug was found.