We have a client who has presented with Bird Mites and he and his wife are trying to find a way to deal with and eradicate the infestation.
In the fall of 2017 the client was clearing straw at his summer home and was soon aware that he had picked up some sort of insect born infestation. Initially this was diagnosed as a possible case of Scabies and or Chiggers. The infestation quickly spread to the client's dogs and then to his sister and wife. He has been concerned about the infestation being communicable and has tried to refrain from contact with others.
In the past year the client, his wife and sister have been seen by an infectious disease expert in Toronto as well as by dermatologists, specialists at t Veterinary College and at the Cleveland Clinic in the USA.
It seems that the case may have been misdiagnosed and may be Bird Mites.
The client and his family are now becoming desperate and are looking for advice as to how to treat themselves and clear the infestation from their environment. Canadian and US specialists seem to have little experience with such cases.
Any advice would be appreciated greatly.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
ATB
LIG
Your clients' very first step should be the searching out for and removal of all bird nests in their residence. This is difficult as most families will typically search the outside of the house. They also may be reluctant as it is believed the father brought home the pest, when in reality the timing could have been coincidence.
Ensure the attic, any chimney or smokestack, as well as the outside is completely free of bird nests. As a general precaution, moving stacks of logs or bails of hay away from the house would be preferable. As well, carpets tend to be a problem (which more often than not can be treated with Borax or some derivative thereof), and bed linens need to be washed often.
Treatment following the prevention measures should be referred to the answer provided by Rafael Jordana
Keep in mind, typically the local private pest control company is more than equipped to take care of this, and one of the easier (albeit most expensive) ways to treat the problem is through a thorough tent fumigation. If this option is elected, ensure re-infestation does not reoccur when the family comes back (clothes, suitcases, etc.).
Thank you Rafael and Joshua. Most helpful. Is there anything more that we can do for these clients?
ATB
LIG
Make sure they take care of their skin. You see a lot of epidermal conditions arise from these kinds of infestations. Baths, lotion, oils, etc to ensure they stay healthy. The scratching, stress, and everything else tends to decrease everyone's health overall.
A last precaution that sounds a little odd and others more qualified or familiar with the species can help with this but... many of these mites have a difficult time surviving in dry areas. I don't know the humidity in the location, but keeping the house humidity low might be a good idea. Requires some reading and research on their part.
Thank you Joshua - again that is most helpful. We had not heard of the humidity issue. Winter in mid-eastern Canada may be the perfect place to create a dry environment.
Have a great weekend!
ATB
LIG
Dear Lawrence,
It appears, that the source of the bites still is unidentified. Therefore massive control measures should not be done before you know the name of the species and then may have a knowledge of its biology.
In Denmark, where I live, one of several options might be to look for the thrombidiform mite: Neothrombicula autumnalis. Its larval stage sucks blood on birds (starlings, particularly in the anal area), and unfed larvae are met in lawns in the months of august, where they may bite humans and pets. But when the itch begins the mites are often disappeared and not to be found on the skin.
Best wishes from Thorkil Hallas
Thank you Thorkil. That information is most helpful.
All the best wishes for the Festive Season and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2019!
ATB
LIG
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