Chicken mites, commonly known as bird mites, are pests on birds that people do not pay attention to. However, they can be a nuisance if you come in contact with bird mites. Such mites are commonly found on birds, especially chickens, entering your house. That is why understanding the impact of chicken mites on humans is necessary.
If you are wondering whether you have a bird mites issue or not, here we have everything you need to know about the bug.
What are chicken mites?
Chicken mites are not human parasites, so they do not require human blood to survive. However, they can become a problem if they enter your house, multiply uncontrollably and attack humans. They are less than 1 mm in size, making them hard to spot, which is often overlooked.
Bird mites have a grayish-white oval body, eight legs, and a hairy back. They develop a reddish color after feeding. They are commonly found in farms, poultry houses, and homes with pet birds. Therefore, people who have birds are prone to get infected because of these mites.
Facts about chicken mites on humans
Certainly, chicken mites require blood from birds to survive and reproduce, but they can bite humans and spread infection.
Complications of chicken mites on humans
Commonly, chicken mites are harmless and will not cause any complications. However, you may have to deal with some issues if you have sensitive skin or a weak immune system. Mites will not only bite your skin but also transfer harmful bacteria if your skin breaks due to itching, which can further cause bacterial infections.
Signs and symptoms of chicken mites on humans
Some common signs you may notice of chicken mites on humans are.
• Redness
• Pain
• Discharge
• Warm-to-touch areas on the skin
• Itching sensation
• Red bumps
• Crawling sensation on the skin
If your pets spend more time outside, they can bring chicken mites inside your house. Your pets will become more irritable and keep scratching themselves if they have bird mites.
Tips for prevention against chicken mite infestation in humans
If you want to protect yourself and your family from chicken mites infestation, knowing how to prevent their spread is essential. Here are a few tips to help you out.
• Avoid any close contact with nests and birds. Moreover, use protective clothing if you work with birds on a farm or anywhere else. It will protect you from chicken mites.
• If you have any bird nests close to your property, it is better to get them relocated or removed.
• People with pet birds in the house should always look for any signs of chicken mite infestation. Besides that, consult your vet to recommend products for prevention against chicken mites.
• If you handle or own chicken in poultry or farm, always keep their bedding and coops clean. Conduct regular inspections to find any signs of chicken mite infestation and eradicate it immediately.
• When buying second-hand furniture, inspect it properly before bringing it to your house. Often chicken mites are hidden in old carpets, beddings, and furniture, and they can easily infest your house.
Treatment for chicken mites on humans
If you notice any signs of bites from chicken mites, you must immediately consult a doctor to know the type of mite that has bitten you and get the required treatment. Moreover, it will help you confirm whether the issue is serious.
Moreover, healthcare professionals will recommend you best treatment to reduce the symptoms and control the issue you are facing. You can also use over-the-counter antihistamine or anti-itch cream to reduce redness and itching. It will speed up the healing process.
Ways to get rid of chicken mites infestation in the home
If you have a chicken mite infestation in your house, getting rid of it as soon as possible is essential. Here are some effective ways to get rid of mites.
• If you work at a bird farm or poultry, change your clothes before entering your home or, if possible, leave the farm after taking a proper bath so you will not take any mites home with you.
• Accidently if any mites enter your home, wash all the bedding and other things you come in contact with using hot water to kill any mites.
• Vacuum the house properly, including the furniture.
Chicken mites need the blood of chickens or other birds to survive. Therefore, after proper cleaning, chances are that they would not survive. However, if you have pet birds, the chances of infestation are higher, which means you will require extra inspection and care.
Remove chicken mites from the flock.
The chicken mites on humans are not harmful and can be easily removed and treated. However, if your flock of chickens or birds catches mites, you will have to treat them immediately because it will reduce egg production and suffer other types of losses. You can use various ways to remove the mites from a flock of chickens or other birds.
• Use food-grade diatomaceous earth in powder form. Apply it on your chicken and spread it around their coop. You should also spread it in areas where you think mites may have been hiding.
• Neem oil is an amazing anti-pesticide you can use on farms and homes. Spray it around the yard to kill all types of pesticides and mites. You can mix 2 liters of water with 1 tablespoon of neem oil and spray it in your house and near your birds. It is safe to use and a highly effective natural remedy.
• Garlic oil is one of the oldest remedies used by chicken owners to eliminate mites. Its anti-pesticide and anti-fungal properties are amazing and will help you eliminate most types of chicken mites. Crush the head of garlic, mix with 2 cups of water, and leave for one day. Use this mixture around your chicken and get rid of all the mites.
Final Thoughts On Chicken Mites on Humans
No doubt chicken mites on humans do not have serious outcomes, but you still have to beware. Bites from mites can cause infections that will require proper care and attention. Therefore, getting rid of chicken mites as soon as you notice any sign of infestation and cleaning your home properly is better.
Miteinfestaion.com blog was started to help others deal with the problems of Mites, bed bugs, fleas, ticks and other small, often unseen critters that give us problems. We hope these articles are a help to you as you deal with these types of issues. Any product or service we provide on these pages have been proven to work. We are solely reader supported so we may receive a small percentage as an affiliate of Amazon and other companies.
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