Correction to: Is this a bird mite or a rat mite? - Ask Extension
My previous submission misstated size of mite. It is just under a millimeter. Home infestation and lots of bites. This mite was crawling on skin. So f...
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Correction to: Is this a bird mite or a rat mite? #817443
Asked December 11, 2022, 9:11 PM EST
My previous submission misstated size of mite. It is just under a millimeter. Home infestation and lots of bites. This mite was crawling on skin. So far no nests found. Rat observed in yard last week. House has big crawl space. Thank you for your help.
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Hi David,
The mite in your photo does look like it could be a rodent or bird mite and that is very likely considering that your are being bitten by these mites that have invaded your home.
Rodent and bird mites are mites in the genera Dermanyssus, Ornithonyssus or a few others. I can't see enough detail in your photo to tell exactly which type you have, but at this time of year, they are more likely to be coming from rodents that find protected areas in wall voids, crawl spaces and attics to nest. In addition, since you saw a rat in the area, that makes it even more likely that rodents are the source of the mites.
Several steps can be taken to control bird/rodent mites.
First, you should exclude any rodents or birds from the interior of the home and attic, crawl space and wall voids. To do this you will probably need to set traps in your crawl space and/or attic to trap out any animals that may have taken up residence. You should also seal up any openings that could allow more animals to get into, under, or above your house from outdoors. In the process, if you find any nesting material, that should be eliminated as well.
The next step is to eliminate the mites that are already in the house. Items made of cloth should be washed and dried. Other areas with mites can be vacuumed, but it is important to seal and dispose of the bag or freeze the sealed bag after vacuuming so that mites don’t escape and re-infest the area. Hard surfaces can be washed with a soapy sponge or cloth wetted with rubbing alcohol. This will pick up and kill any mites contacted. Mites also do not do well in dry conditions, so lowering the humidity (<35%) should help as well. Pesticides labeled for home use could also be used if there is a heavy infestation and these other steps do not eliminate the problem.
If all these steps seem overwhelming, you could contact a pest control operator in your area. Some offer services to eliminate rodents and seal your house to prevent entry. They could also apply pesticides to kill the mites you currently have indoors.
Hope that helps!
The mite in your photo does look like it could be a rodent or bird mite and that is very likely considering that your are being bitten by these mites that have invaded your home.
Rodent and bird mites are mites in the genera Dermanyssus, Ornithonyssus or a few others. I can't see enough detail in your photo to tell exactly which type you have, but at this time of year, they are more likely to be coming from rodents that find protected areas in wall voids, crawl spaces and attics to nest. In addition, since you saw a rat in the area, that makes it even more likely that rodents are the source of the mites.
Several steps can be taken to control bird/rodent mites.
First, you should exclude any rodents or birds from the interior of the home and attic, crawl space and wall voids. To do this you will probably need to set traps in your crawl space and/or attic to trap out any animals that may have taken up residence. You should also seal up any openings that could allow more animals to get into, under, or above your house from outdoors. In the process, if you find any nesting material, that should be eliminated as well.
The next step is to eliminate the mites that are already in the house. Items made of cloth should be washed and dried. Other areas with mites can be vacuumed, but it is important to seal and dispose of the bag or freeze the sealed bag after vacuuming so that mites don’t escape and re-infest the area. Hard surfaces can be washed with a soapy sponge or cloth wetted with rubbing alcohol. This will pick up and kill any mites contacted. Mites also do not do well in dry conditions, so lowering the humidity (<35%) should help as well. Pesticides labeled for home use could also be used if there is a heavy infestation and these other steps do not eliminate the problem.
If all these steps seem overwhelming, you could contact a pest control operator in your area. Some offer services to eliminate rodents and seal your house to prevent entry. They could also apply pesticides to kill the mites you currently have indoors.
Hope that helps!
