a mite
Biting mites are several different types of tiny insects that bite humans, often causing itching or a rash. While many different types of mites can infest a home, not all species bite. The most common biting mites are rodent and bird mites, crop mites, and biting mites. The mite, which by some estimates infests nearly half of all homes, does not bite humans; Unfortunately, many people develop an allergic reaction to its secretions.
Mite Basics
If a pet is infested with biting mites, it should be treated by a veterinarian.
All the thousands of types of mites, biters and others, are tiny, eight-legged arthropods, about the size of a period at the end of a sentence. Their small size means that many people are not even aware of an infestation until they begin to feel or see the signs. In a home, dust mites live in materials such as carpets, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and bedding. If the mites brought into the home are the biting type, residents will soon notice itching and sometimes see small welts where the biting mites insert their prey. Although their bites can be painful and itchy, most biting mites do not carry disease.
types of mites
A person dealing with a bed bug infestation should vacuum all carpets, drapes, mattresses, and upholstered furniture.
Mites are generally of two types: plant-hosted and animal-hosted. Plant-hosted mites do not bite; They live in grassy or wooded areas and can be brought indoors by people who work or play outside without knowing it. Mites housed in animals are the ones that cause diseases and skin irritations. These mites attach to rodents, birds, or other small animals and sometimes abandon their hosts. They can live for a few weeks without a host, but if they find a human, they can join the accidental host and return home.
The itchy mites often produce an itchy welt or rash in humans.
Most biting mites are not parasites of humans; Although they may attach and bite briefly, they are usually transmitted from other animals. However, some mites, such as scabies and mite larvae, live on humans. In the case of scabies, prescription medications are usually needed to kill the mites.
The most common biting mites include the following:
Rodent mites: These mites live on rats and mice; when the rodent dies or leaves its nest behind, it can bite people. There are three types of rodent mites that regularly bite humans: the tropical mouse mite, the house mouse mite, and the spiny mouse mite. Of these, the tropical rat mite bite is considered one of the most painful, leaving itchy welts that irritate the skin.
Bird mites: They live on several different types of birds, including chickens, birds, and bird mites that infest nests and can spread to people who come into contact with infested birds. Companion birds can also be infested. The bites are usually small and itchy and can last a week.
Crop mites: Also known as grubs, these mites bite people only in the larval stage. More common in the summer months, they spread to people walking through grass or other vegetation. They stick to the skin, usually in areas where clothing is tight, and can feed for up to four days if they don’t die. Fortunately, they can be killed by being brushed or scratched.
Itchy mites: Sometimes called grain itch mites, this group contains a number of species that feed primarily on insects. They are often found infesting grain, straw, and other stored products. Their bite produces a severe itchy rash.
Scabies: This mite burrows under the skin of infected people to lay its eggs. They cause an allergic reaction, which leads to itchy rashes and sores on the skin. Scabies is easily spread from person to person and can also infest clothing, bedding, and carpeting. Prescription medications are often necessary to kill an infestation, and the home of a person with scabies must be thoroughly cleaned to get rid of it completely.
Prevention of infestations
Mites can stick to rodents.
Prevention is the most important method of controlling a biting mite infestation. Their small size means that it is nearly impossible to seal a house from an occasional mite attack; However, there are some steps that can be taken to reduce your chances of infesting a home. Airtight door and window seals can help prevent some types of dust mites from entering a home; Cutting vegetation around the house will also reduce this possibility. People should shower after being outdoors, and clothes should be washed promptly.
If rats or birds are the source of the mites then they should be treated first. An exterminator can help eliminate rodents that live in a home, and the home itself should be made as rodent and bird-proof as possible by sealing off any entry points. Homeowners should destroy any rodent nests they find, and old bird nests should be removed and the area cleaned with bleach. If a pet bird or rodent is infested with mites, it should be treated by a veterinarian.
How to deal with an infestation
If a biting mite infestation does occur anyway, there are steps that can be taken to eliminate them. All carpets, drapes, mattresses, and upholstered furniture should be thoroughly vacuumed. Bedding, including pillows, sheets, and blankets, should be washed in hot water. Maintaining a regular deep cleaning schedule for the home can help prevent re-infestation. It may be necessary to repeat these cleaning procedures several times before the mites are eliminated. For severe infestations, the services of a professional exterminator may be required; There are a number of chemical and natural treatments that are effective in controlling itchy mites.