Introduction
Bird mites can be a nuisance pest for both birds and humans. As their name implies, bird mites primarily parasitize birds but may also bite humans.
By learning about the bird mite life cycle and habits, you can take steps to discourage them from entering living areas and spreading. With diligence and the right treatment plan, it is possible to successfully get rid of bird mites. Keep reading for a thorough explanation of bird mite identification, prevention, and proven treatment methods.
Getting rid of bet mites naturally
For mild infestations, natural remedies may be effective at eliminating bird mites. Some options to try include:
Diatomaceous earth – This powder consists of fossilized diatoms and works by dehydrating insects that walk through it. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth along baseboards and in cracks and crevices where mites hide.
Tea tree oil – Bird mites do not like the strong scent of tea tree oil. Mix a few drops in a spray bottle with water and spray-infested areas. Reapply as needed.
Lemon eucalyptus oil – Similar to tea tree oil, this oil contains compounds that repel mites. Create a spray or wipe down surfaces with a lemon eucalyptus oil solution.
Citrus oils – D-limonene, found in lemon, orange, and grapefruit oils, has insecticidal properties. Use a cotton ball or wipe to apply the oil to infested areas. Reapply periodically.
While natural remedies may help smaller infestations, severe cases often require more potent chemical treatments as well. Always use caution when using essential oils around children and pets.
Getting rid of bed mites in house
Bird mites enter homes when nesting birds roost near inhabited structures. Therefore, preventing birds from nesting too close can help keep mites out of living areas. Some tips:
- Prune trees and shrubs away from walls and eaves to remove nesting sites.
- Install fine mesh guards over attic vents, chimneys, and crawl spaces.
- Cover potential entry points under eaves and siding with hardware cloth or fine mesh.
- Use wire netting or other covers if birds nest in outdoor household appliances like barbecues.
To treat an active infestation inside:
- Physically remove any bird nests from the house and property to eliminate food sources and harborage.
- Thoroughly clean the infested area with soap/water or a borate-based solution like Borax to kill lingering mites.
- Apply pesticide sprays or dust along baseboards, ceilings, attics, and other potential entry/harborage sites as per product directions.
With prevention and chemical treatment of infested areas, you can eliminate mites from entering or persisting inside homes. Continued monitoring and follow-up sprays may be needed.
How bird mites get in your house
As mentioned, bird mites primarily enter structures by hitching rides on nesting birds roosting in and around homes. They can also invade indoors by:
- Creeping inside through small holes, cracks, and crevices in walls, roofs, and screens. Bird mites are adept at squeezing into tiny openings.
- Hitching rides on pets that have been outside, including dogs and cats that may interact with nesting birds.
- Being tracked indoors on the shoes, clothing, or bodies of humans who have encountered infested birds outside.
During warm seasons and after breeding cycles, dispersing mite populations may actively seek new hosts, leading them to infiltrate inhabited areas. Maintaining a 24-meter (80-foot) buffer zone around homes can help limit bird nesting and opportunities for mite entry. Once inside, they spread to new areas by walking or falling off hosts.
Getting rid of bird mites on human skin
If bird mites happen to bite exposed skin, it’s important to properly treat the areas to remove any hitchhiking mites:
- Wash bitten areas with soap and water. Soap disrupts mites’ leg structures causing them to disengage.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to spots with a cotton ball. The alcohol will dehydrate any remaining mites.
- For itching and inflammation, try calamine lotion or hydrocortisone cream. Antihistamines can also help with allergy symptoms.
- Change and wash clothing worn during mite exposure. Dry on intense heat to kill any mites.
- Monitor bite sites, as mites may continue feeding for several days if not removed. Treat as needed until bites clear up.
Vigilant cleaning with soap or alcohol after potential mite encounters is key to preventing their spread onto furnishings or other people through skin or clothing. Get medical help if symptoms persist or worsen.
Best treatment for bird mites
For severe infestations requiring chemical control, a variety of pyrethroid and organophosphate pesticide options are available:
Deltamethrin – This synthetic pyrethroid is commonly found in over-the-counter aerosol “bug bombs” and liquids. It kills mites quickly on contact.
Permethrin – Another pyrethroid, permethrin has low mammalian toxicity when used as directed. It is sold in sprays, dusts, and other formulations.
Carbaryl – An organophosphate, carbaryl products like Sevin Dust and liquid formulations are effective against various insect pests, including mites.
Acephate – This organophosphate is sold as various garden, pet, and structural treatment products under brands like Orthene.
Always carefully read and follow all label directions when using any pesticide. Treat all infested areas, including attics, crawlspaces, drop ceilings, light fixtures, floorboards, and more. Most products require re-treating in 10-14 days to catch any missed life stages.
How to make homemade bird mite treatment
For a safer, DIY approach, try making your own spray or dust using ingredients like:
Horticultural oil – Applied as a foliar spray, pure neem, cottonseed, or other horticultural oils smother mites on contact.
Boric acid – Mix 1⁄4 cup boric acid powder per liter of 70% isopropyl alcohol. Scrub or spray-infested areas. Reapply as needed.
Diatomaceous earth – Add 1 cup of food-grade diatomaceous earth to 2 L water. Spot treat or spread DE as dust along baseboards, vents, and crevices.
D-limonene – Mix 20-30 drops of lemon oil concentrate per litre of water in a spray bottle. Treat surfaces where mites hide.
Test small areas first and avoid inhaling dust. Make fresh batches frequently for maximum effectiveness. Homemade products may require more thorough and frequent applications than store-bought chemicals.
FAQs about Bird Mites
Will bird mites go away on their own?
Left untreated, bird mite populations can persist for months as long as their bird hosts remain in the area. However, they may slowly decline once birds move to new nesting sites post-breeding. Isolated infestations have a better chance of fading without intervention over one to two seasonal cycles. However, most severe or persistent cases require active treatment.
Does soap kill bird mites?
Plain soap does not directly kill mites but can help remove them from surfaces and skin. The saponification reaction of soap and water coats the mite’s waxy outer layer, breaking surface tension so they disengage and can be rinsed away. Used in conjunction with other control tactics like vacuuming and pesticides, soap plays an important supporting role in treatment.
What oil kills bird mites?
Several essential oils have pesticidal properties that are effective against bird mites, including tea tree, lemon eucalyptus, citrus, and neem oils. Applied undiluted or in diluted solutions, these plant-based oils can penetrate mite exoskeletons and disrupt respiration and neurological functioning, eventually resulting in death. Horticultural oils like cottonseed and mineral oils also suffocate mites when thoroughly applied.
How long do bird mites last?
If conditions remain suitable, adult bird mites can survive for several months without feeding. However, they only live approximately 3-4 weeks on average. The full bird mite lifecycle from egg to adult takes 1-2 weeks to complete. Without access to hosts, mite populations outdoors will gradually decrease as they tire and die off over 6-8 weeks as environmental conditions change with the seasons.
What is the spray for mites and lice in birds?
Several avian parasiticide products on the market contain active ingredients to treat both mites and lice on pet birds. Common ones include:
- Aerosol sprays with permethrin or pyrethroids such as Gulf bird spray. These potent contact killers quickly eliminate both chewing and sucking parasites.
- Lime sulfur dip or spray for waterfowl. This natural sulfur-based formulation is safe for use on ducks and geese.
- Ivermectin and selamectin collar applications for larger pet birds like parrots and cockatoos. The parasiticides are slowly released from the collar to kill any feeding mites or feather lice.
Always spot-test new products on a small feathered area first to check for sensitivity reactions. And be sure to thoroughly ventilate the treatment area afterward to avoid toxic inhalation. With the right product carefully applied, pet birds can be easily freed from pesky external parasites.
