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Safety Products

Please be sure to read the product label of any insecticide you choose to use to get information on the personal protective safety gear you will need. In most situations, it is recommended that you wear long pants, a long sleeved shirt, closed toe shoes with socks, chemical resistant gloves, and goggles. In areas where ventilation is poor, a manufacturer may recommend you wear a mask or a respirator. We have put together two different safety kits that will make selecting the correct safety gear easier for you.

How to Get Rid of Bird Mites in the Home

By DoMyOwn staff
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Overview

We get calls just about everyday from customers who are desperately seeking a way to get rid of bird mites in their home. When these customers call us they all relate very similar situations. It usually goes something like this: "One or more people in my house are being bitten or attacked by a tiny insect that we can't really see, but we can feel them. We have contacted several pest control agencies in our area and some don't want to get involved and others have come, couldn't find anything, but they did treat my house with a spray. WE STILL HAVE MITES! What should we do now?"

Step 1

Identify the Pest

When a customer is dealing with an insect they cannot see, the very first thing they should do, before any more insecticides are applied is try to get a proper identification. Getting a sample of an insect that is so small you really cannot see it can be difficult. Try laying some clear packing tape sticky side up near areas where you notice a lot of activity. On table tops you could using a soft paint brush and sweep the insects onto the tape. If you feel activity on your skin, very gently lay the tape on the area and lift. Mites can usually be caught this way. Try to view the tape using a magnifying glass. If an insect is noticed on the tape you should Contact your local state extension office. and request an insect identification from one of the entomologists on staff. There have been many instances where a customer was sure they had "mites" when in fact they had bedbugs, noseeums, or biting gnats. The treatment processes for these other insects is very different than the treatment process you would need to use for mites.
Step 2

Do-It-Yourself Bird Mite Treatment

After bird mites have been properly identified, the treatment process can be begin.

2A

Find the Source of the Infestation

Nesting birds, dead birds, pet birds, birds in chimneys/attics, and birds around air conditioning units can all be sources of mite infestation in your home. Remove any old nests or dead birds, however prior to removal, you may need to check with your local authorities as most birds are protected by law.

2B

Vacuum

Frequently vacuuming infested rooms will dramatically reduce the number of mites. Make sure carpets, rugs, curtains, and furniture are all thoroughly vacuumed. Vacuum bags should be immediately removed from the vacuum cleaner and sealed in a bag and put in the freezer. This will kill the mites. If your vacuum cleaner does not use bags, just empty the collection container into a bag then place it in the freezer.

2C

Wash Everything

Wash and dry fabric items that are located in the infested areas. You may want to do this several times a week as the infestation continues in order to ensure proper and effective treatment.

2D

Choose an Appropriate Bird Mite Insecticide

There are several insecticides that can be used to treat bird mites such as:

  • Steri-Fab is a spray insecticide that can be sprayed on couches, chairs and other upholstered furniture where you may spend time resting.
  • CimeXa Insecticide Dust is an insecticide dust for all the cracks and crevices around the perimeter of an infested room. A desiccant dust like CimeXa should be used in cracks and crevices all around infested areas. A thin coat of dust should be applied to rugs and carpets and raked (not swept) back and forth, to allow the dust to enter the rug or carpet. After application, the product should sit overnight and repeat application as necessary. For effective control, vacuum every 3-4 days after each application.
  • Onslaught is another insecticide that can be used for a faster knockdown. The insecticide should be thoroughly applied as a fine particle broadcast spray using a hand pump sprayer to infested rugs and carpets and other cracks and crevices around the perimeter of each room.

    • When using insecticides, It is very important to read the label and follow the instructions. Mixing concentrated insecticides at higher concentrations than recommended does not render them "more powerful". The mites will just avoid the treated areas where the insecticide is too potent and you may end up making the mites resistant to the insecticide.

    Products needed for Step 2D

Step 3

Call A Professional

If this process seems too complicated or if it is too labor intensive, you may want to consider hiring a professional who specializes in bird mite infestations.

An Additional Note: When insects cannot be found at all in the environment but the biting sensation and itching are still occurring, a trip to the doctor or dermatologist is recommended. Insects like follicle mites, scabie mites, or chiggers may be the culprits.

Related Articles Mites: Rodent And Bird Mites In Homes

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