Answers
Aug 01, 2016 - 03:07 AM
Bird mites are very difficult to control, if indeed it is a bird mite issue. I will tell you that in 100 out of 100 of the last samples that I have been sent when customers thought it was bird mites, it was not. Most of the time, what people think are bird mites are either springtails, dirt, dust or debris, none of which bite or cause irritation.
If you think you are in the less than 1% of this group, then here is what I would recommend BEFORE applying any pesticide indoors.
1) Get a sample and get the species identified. Not knowing the species of bird mite will lead to control failure.
2) Find the source. The source is ALWAYS either an abandoned bird nest, or a nest that has been removed. If you can't find the bird nest you WON'T control the mites.
3) Don't believe everything you read about bird mites online. I have been involved in litigation over this issue and can tell you it is very RARE, COMPLICATED and DIFFICULT to manage and control.
If you do indeed have bird mite issue, then I can help you develop a plan for control.
Martin's IGR is practically useless against bird mites.
Ron
If you think you are in the less than 1% of this group, then here is what I would recommend BEFORE applying any pesticide indoors.
1) Get a sample and get the species identified. Not knowing the species of bird mite will lead to control failure.
2) Find the source. The source is ALWAYS either an abandoned bird nest, or a nest that has been removed. If you can't find the bird nest you WON'T control the mites.
3) Don't believe everything you read about bird mites online. I have been involved in litigation over this issue and can tell you it is very RARE, COMPLICATED and DIFFICULT to manage and control.
If you do indeed have bird mite issue, then I can help you develop a plan for control.
Martin's IGR is practically useless against bird mites.
Ron
Aug 01, 2016 - 11:40 AM
Mites go through a life cycle like this - egg, larvae, nymph (chigger) and adult. The adult mites lay eggs on the host and then the eggs fall off and go through the life cycle. The chicken mite, which it sounds like what you have. Rather than go through all of the steps involved in treatment, I will refer you to this website that has a lot of information on mites in the home - http://www.birdmites.org/strategies.h... The best products to use are those that are designed specifically for mites and arachnids. IGR's take months to work. Martin's IGR is ok, but not the best to use in this situation. You need something that will kill the adults and nymphs, an IGR will not kill adults and will only have a limited effect on the nymphs.
Temprid Ready Spray, Flee, Precor 2620, Ultracide are all designed to kill fleas, ticks and host of other insects. Most of these contain an IGR mixed with an adulticide. These products can be sprayed on carpets, floors, bedding, upholstery, etc with little or no damage resulting. Outdoors, using a microencapsulated product such as Demand CS or Onslaught Fastcap will give the best results. Most IGR's don't work outdoors very well, so a wet spray will give the best results. Whatever you decide to do, just know that it will take several applications, approximately 10 days apart to get control. Dusting the attic, crawl space or even outdoors may not be necessary. Dusts are messy and generally no good when they get wet. The use of wet residual insecticides in my opinion will give the best results. Just be sure that it is dry and that when you apply these products it is not raining and they have a chance to dry. Hope this helps. Ron
Temprid Ready Spray, Flee, Precor 2620, Ultracide are all designed to kill fleas, ticks and host of other insects. Most of these contain an IGR mixed with an adulticide. These products can be sprayed on carpets, floors, bedding, upholstery, etc with little or no damage resulting. Outdoors, using a microencapsulated product such as Demand CS or Onslaught Fastcap will give the best results. Most IGR's don't work outdoors very well, so a wet spray will give the best results. Whatever you decide to do, just know that it will take several applications, approximately 10 days apart to get control. Dusting the attic, crawl space or even outdoors may not be necessary. Dusts are messy and generally no good when they get wet. The use of wet residual insecticides in my opinion will give the best results. Just be sure that it is dry and that when you apply these products it is not raining and they have a chance to dry. Hope this helps. Ron
Sep 26, 2016 - 03:19 AM
You can send pictures to ron@epestsupply.com or you can post them here.
Ron
Ron
Aug 25, 2017 - 03:36 AM
Malathion is not labeled for indoor use. Do not use Malathion indoors.
I can tell you from a lot of years of experience, that unless you can actually see the bird mites, and have samples that can be easily identified, there is a 99% chance you are not dealing with bird mites.
If you are dealing with constant skin scratching, the feeling of something crawling on you, etc, then I would consult a dermatologist. Do not spray anything indoors to try and kill something that you cannot see and is not there. You could end up poisoning yourself.
I can tell you from a lot of years of experience, that unless you can actually see the bird mites, and have samples that can be easily identified, there is a 99% chance you are not dealing with bird mites.
If you are dealing with constant skin scratching, the feeling of something crawling on you, etc, then I would consult a dermatologist. Do not spray anything indoors to try and kill something that you cannot see and is not there. You could end up poisoning yourself.
Oct 22, 2018 - 03:04 AM
You will need a special magnifier for your phone camera if it is something that small. In most cases, just taking a regular picture can help me determine what it is. Here is a link to what I am talking about - https://www.amazon.com/Huluwa-Cellpho...
By
If you have figured anything out, guest, and are still around, please let me know or respond by email to talightle13@gmail.com. I would love to know if you've found the cause. It sounds so much like my situation and it turned out to be springtails! People can say that springtails don't bite or sting, ALL THEY WANT! BUT, they actually DO cause me a Lot of pain and itching! They do not bother my husband or daughter though. So it is PERFECTLY plausible that it is springtails or a form of mite. Even dustmites cause itching and pain to some people. I would Love to hear from you if you see this!
Add New Comment