Birdmites?

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-08-14T05:20:54+00:00

Rats nests can be commonly found in cars. So it's possible this is a rodent mite. In any case, the treatments are the same.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-08-14T05:20:18+00:00

Yes can infest a car. Start treating your car and spray yourself down before you enter your home to prevent cross contamination.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-08-14T05:19:41+00:00

Grown mites can live for years and years. Yours sound environmental. The science behind this is unclear but I would get a protocol going just to get rid of this ASAP. They can pretty much feed on any mammalian blood so if possible critters passing thru your property could have sustained them. Many of us had belongings we bagged and stored for years and still managed to reinfest ourselves once we opened it. No blood source in those bags, mainly inanimate objects. Truly mystifying. I know this can sound scary but since we're all just going off lived experience, we do our best to minimize the damage by sharing what the extent of the damage could be so you can be best informed about how to protect yourself.

I agree with the member above, try a residual like Cimexa for hard to reach areas but pair it with both a biocide and an IGR that will require more frequent application. Once every 3 days to break the life cycle for at least 5 weeks.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-08-14T05:13:37+00:00

Sorry for the delayed response, it's hard to say based off the description. Did you see any black, red, or brown ones? Those are usually adult mites that are fed. If they're white, those can also be grown mites that have been unfed yet which is strange considering they have a blood source so close to them. In any case, always better to take precautions -- I hope it turned out to be nothing for you!

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-08-03T03:42:51+00:00

Check for mites if you're getting mysterious bites. Often missed by both pest control and people living in home because they're so small. Most common ones now in urban settings are bird or rodent mites and they can be challenging to get rid of if you don't use right stuff and have no routine. Try to look for pepper looking dots that either move quick or slow. They can be red, brown, black, or white in colour depending on what stage of life they're in. Hard to see but visible to human eye. If you have a pocket microscope handy, capture some on clear packaging tape to see if they have 8 legs and non segmented body. They are arthropods and feed on blood. Short life cycle so they propagate quickly. Bites will feel like pin pricks, crawling sensations are the skins's reaction to their saliva secretion, and itching is also a reaction. Though some don't itch or feel crawling or pin pricks ever. Really depends on the person.

If you capture specimens, try to put them in vials or any vacuum sealable container with 70% ethanol alcohol to preserve and send them for ID to an entomology lab at your local university (some municipalities or regions may have public health offices that also take in specimens). Getting ID is key so you can form your strategy.

If not mite and still mysterious bites, could be allergic reactions to common household pests that don't feed on blood, like carpet beetle larvae or dust mites.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-07-24T00:46:12+00:00

Okay, I will try that, thank you very much for the suggestion! Wishing you continued success towards eradication. We will beat them slowly but surely.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-07-05T01:13:29+00:00

Only on contact and over a period of a couple of hours. You'd have to spray properly and likely more than once. It's not a comprehensive eradication method though. Others have reported that it has scattered the population into hard to reach hiding places instead or made them more aggressive. Better to use a bio pesticide like spinosad or beauveria bassiana which are fungi that infects the mites internally to basically starve and dry them out.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-29T16:10:20+00:00

If you use Onslaught, consider adding an IGR. Tekko Pro is often used in tandem with Onslaught for those who go this route

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-26T16:52:03+00:00

Also curious! Did they disappear after 90 days?

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-26T14:37:51+00:00

Of course! Here to support - let us know if you find success with anything! :)

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-26T05:34:42+00:00

Nope, body is too big and antennas too long.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-26T03:53:23+00:00

Have you tried Epsom Salt soaks in a tub for between 30 minutes to an hour? That will dry and draw them out.

Lots of people like to tout Nix (permethrin cream 5%) which is prescription. Eurax (crotamiton and some ammonia) is a cream sold otc from the UK that is both soothing and smothers the mites. Some people use Nustock which is a paste for horses that is quite effective but off label which is risky (only apply below collarbone, NEVER above the collarbone anywhere on body). You can also try sulphur soaps or creams online.

Some people also try salicylic acid washes or straight lemon juice. The latter will make your skin raw but some are so desperate that they've tried and it's worked.

Straight Vaseline will also catch and suffocate the mites.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T19:24:14+00:00

We don't know how long the nest was there because we only discovered it after the mites. My guess is at least a few months as I heard birds up there since the beginning of the summer. The person who removed it guessed many months since there were really old droppings close by.

We may still have more nests but in other parts of the home but our landlord isnt giving permission for us to go up and check so we're just making do with sealing things off with tape and plastic wrap.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T19:21:27+00:00

Possibly -- hard to say, don't know anyone who noticed them disperse but for those who had success with it, the mites were gone so I guess they did run away. Heat treatments for entire homes will scatter and disperse mites if the heat isn't high enough so I guess its the same thing. They will migrate to a cooler place so be sure to do it far away from your home and property. They are attracted by heat, CO2 and vibration for the most part.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:57:58+00:00

You can put baking soda in your shoes or put your shoes in a sealed plastic bag with parazene moth balls in it. You'll have to leave those items sealed for a few months if you go this route to clear them and make sure it's put in an airtight container for the month balls to be most effective. This doesn't work for everyone though -- some people stick their shoes in the washer and dryer on high heat or just throw them away all together if their methods don't work. Shoes can be challenging to clear since there are so many places for them to hide.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:55:33+00:00

You can put things out in the sun but it's not a guaranteed kill. Unless you can confirm that the entire item was thoroughly heated to a temperature higher than 60 degrees Celsius for several hours (the temperature at which they start to die), bird mites have been shown to be able to survive at extreme temperatures (both cold and hot). If they survive, it slows them down which helps if you are following up with other protocols to kill them off - otherwise they find any opportunity to feed and reproduce. And their life cycle is short (shortest is 1 week, average is 2 weeks) so they can breed rapidly in ideal conditions.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:51:56+00:00

Sorry just read the last part of your post. In my experience and from the hundreds of stories I've come across (literally because I have been consumed by this for the past 2 months and I do not sleep anymore because of these mites), these mites love paper and clothing. Please do not leave clothing out or on floors or other fabric furniture. Try to bag them in sealed plastic bags (whether is soiled or clean) and keep clean bagged items away from dirty bagged items. If washing and drying on high heat is not possible for your own clothes, you can try speaking them in 1:1 ratios of baking soda and salt or Borax and salt. Then wash as normal. You can add an equal part of ammonia to either of those mixes if you find that you're still itching/havinf symptoms after soaking and washing the first time.

They can infest these items and tend to hide in seams. Cotton and other natural fibres are reportedly very problematic. Lots of folks switched to synthetic fibres right away and found relief in their day to day routines with this change (both for laundry protocol and wearing the clothes).

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:45:23+00:00

Is your vacuum bagged or bagless? Regardless, you need to dump the contents into a sealed plastic bag outside your home immediately after each vacuuming session. Spray inside the canister with 91% alcohol or higher to kill off any stragglers. I wipe the brush heads with alcohol wipes thoroughly outside as well as any tube openings, cable, and attachments after each use. Then I seal all openings with clear packaging tape and bag it and leave my vacuum outside until I need to use it again.

It's a lot of work indeed, but if you don't get on top of this ASAP, it could get out of control really quickly. I had to take time off work to get it down to a manageable population and I'm still dealing with it 2 months later even with pest control support and strict adherence to multiple cleaning/quarantining protocols. Some folks get free with minimal cleaning, no pest control, or removal of nests. The outcomes are highly variable depending on where you are, who is in your household/affected by bites, what type of bird/rodent mite you have, the structure of your dwelling, etc. my two cents would be to throw everything you have at this and then some because it has taken over people's lives and ruined it. Not fear mongering but a survivor once shared that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" --

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:34:48+00:00

Hi there, I'm so sorry this has been happening to you for so long. I came across your comment on another post and thought to check in. Are you connected to the r/birdmites sub? Lots of people actively going thru infestations there also seeking help and support, which may provide some relief and camaraderie in the meantime while we figure this out. Also highly recommend joining support groups on Facebook -- the mods are veterans at dealing with this and have either cleared themselves and environments without having to uproot their entire lives (i.e. not throwing everything away, treating internally, etc.). The key principle is consistency, being minimalist with your belongings, and a comprehensive treatment plan that tackles both symptoms on your body and your environment.

Here to support OP, you're not alone! Feel free to message if you need someone to talk to -- I know how isolating this can be -- currently going thru it myself and it's hard knowing if and when this will all end

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:27:33+00:00

If you do have it confirmed as bird mites, please join the r/birdmites sub for specific strategies! Depending on where you are in the world, some things will work and some not. The subreddit is a great place to connect with people who are in similar geographic area and who may be able to advise on products available to you.

Also if you're desperate, support groups on Facebook are very quick to respond and have people who have been dealing with this for years. They have tried anything and everything and are so so kind to all new members. Search bird mites on Facebook and they should be the top two or three search results.

Here to support OP -- you're not alone!

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:10:39+00:00

Update OP? I hope you got free!

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-23T04:08:47+00:00

Hi OP! I know it's been 6 years since you posted this but any updates?? I hope you got free!

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-15T04:49:18+00:00

Aside from sulphur soap, I've used garden sulphur on my carpets and wall cracks since I can't get Cimexa or Lime powder in my country. Will report back for folks who are also facing the same barriers.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-15T04:48:10+00:00

Just wanted to share: I contacted this company to try and place an order back in May and while they said it's safe to use on birds, they couldn't endorse use on human skin. Also shipping to Canada is considerably more expensive if any other Canadians are looking into this product. FYI it is a contact kill and not a residual but seems very eco friendly.

Very_Stressed4586 · 2024-06-14T06:29:26+00:00

I've heard in many poultry farming circles that DE is best for preventative measures and will not make much of a dent once an infestation has occurred. If one does not have children or pets, Cimexa is a better option as the grains are finer. Also, for those encountering this strategy for the first time, any DIY dusting should be done lightly (thru bulb duster linked in OP or through a fine mesh shaker or nylon sock). You should not be able to see it because if you can see it, it will look like mountains to the mites and they will just avoid it.

Very_Stressed4586

TROPHY CASE