Bird mites on humans!

CNO~La · Mon Jun 09, 2014 11:20 am

I've had Martins since 2001 and, for the first time, I have found evidence of bird mites in my house. I have bites all over and have positively identified them as bird mites. Wife has a couple of bites as well. Weird feeling when you can feel them crawling on you.....

All of my young (27) have fledged, but do return at times during the day and dusk.

I've seen some mites in the nests in years past, but it has not been extreme or affected the babies. I have placed Sevin dust in the nest some years, but have not been consistent and did not do this year. I do use cedar shavings as a nest base. I've been away a lot the past month and have not been able to lower the houses and check as I normally do. My houses are next to my vegetable garden and I may have brought them in from there????

Currently have a pest company treating the house and yard. Their entomologist was initially skeptical, but verified the ones I captured were bird mites. Only second time they have seen this.

Just wanted to put this out so all can be aware and on guard for this.

KathyF · Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:35 pm

I leave my clothes outside after nest checks. Gourds, housing, etc. are stored in unattached storage building. We also don't let any birds nest against our house. All it took was for me to read this story and that was it!

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5017197

DAVE · Mon Jun 09, 2014 3:56 pm

I have a pan with Seven dust in it that I step in before a nest check then hose down my boots when finished. Last year I had a lot of problems with Bird Mites. I always used seven in the Gourds but for some reason I still got them after the Spring Rains. This year I also put in Cedar shavings and so far so good

Dave

Craig Dyer · Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:35 pm

Dave,

FYI...sevin dust biodegrades quickly, especially in humid or damp conditions. I often have to reapply sevin after rainy periods as it loses its effectiveness.

Craig Dyer · Tue Jun 10, 2014 3:36 pm

Dave,

FYI...sevin dust biodegrades quickly, especially in humid or damp conditions. I often have to reapply sevin after rainy periods as it loses its effectiveness.

Dave Duit · Tue Jun 10, 2014 5:02 pm

I have used long rubber gloves and then used liquid sevin spray from the wrist area back to the elbow on the gloves to stop mites from migrating up the arm.

~Ray~Gingerich · Wed Jun 11, 2014 8:13 am

I keep rubbing alcohol and paper towels handy for use if I get into a mite infested nest, that works good for me.

CHenry · Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:44 am

I did a nest check last night and several of the gords had mites crawling on the outside. I sprayed Permethrin all over the outside and around the door. At least any mites that comes out will be killed. The ones inside are safe unless they comes out. I figure this is better than nothing. Never thought about carrying them into the house.
Funny story last year though, I did a nest check and got some mites on my hand unknowingly. I have allergies and my nose was itching so I rubbed my nose with my index finger. Mind you I have a thick mustache. minutes later I feel these little parentless crawling in my mustache and up my nose. I ran to the hose and asked my wife to grab some soap from the house and began vigorously washing my face and blowing my nose. I can laugh about it now but it was anything but funny then.

KathyF · Wed Jun 11, 2014 11:56 am

CHenry - a nest change at the very least, would help reduce the parasite load.

4th Gen Martin Fan · Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:33 pm

Now I have an explanation for these bites like chiggers on my forearms.
Saturday, I went to a new protege's martin house that was infested with mites. I thought that bird mites could not bite humans.
Mark.

taxidermy lady · Wed Jun 11, 2014 7:45 pm

Reading all this makes me feel itchy!,

Peter D · Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:00 pm

It's weird I don't get anything from our chickens. They sound pretty vicious.

pmlover · Thu Jun 12, 2014 9:52 am

the mites are nothing I opened one of my bluebird houses that I use for sparrow and starling traps. It was on a pine tree trunk and when I opened it I was invaded with small black ants. I sprayed sevin on them and they vanished.
Dick

CHenry · Thu Jun 12, 2014 3:01 pm

KathyF wrote:CHenry - a nest change at the very least, would help reduce the parasite load.

The permethrim spray on the outside worked fine. 24 hours later, no sign of mites.

glmcvickers · Fri Jun 13, 2014 11:55 am

I've never been bothered by them after cleaning infested housing...must be all the garlic I eat! I should try that in the nests instead of Sevin.