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One of the biggest threats from a bird infestation comes from the parasites and pests that birds carry. Birds not only create problems with their nesting, but they often carry parasites such as bird mites on their bodies. When a heavy infestation occurs, these tiny blood-feeding insects can come into contact with humans and feed on them. This can create a number of health hazards.
What does a bird mite look like?
Appearance
- Soft red/brown body and eight legs
- 0.6 – 0.7mm in length
- Body appears bright red when engorged after feeding
Lifecycle
- Bird mites develop from egg to adult in 7 days (under favourable conditions).
- Adults can live approximately 90 days.
Habits
- Favour warm, damp conditions
- Commonly found in bird nests and poultry houses
- Capable of adversely impacting bird egg–laying efficiency, and in severe cases, may kill young, sick, or old birds
- Feed on birds' blood
- Sometimes bite people in search of food
Risks of bird mites
One of the biggest risks with bird mites is that they can infest flocks such as those of chickens. This can result in serious illness of the hens and other birds and reduced egg production. It can also result in anemia for the hens.
For humans, the biggest concern is the bites. These can become skin lesions and lead to illnesses such as dermatitis. Generally, bird mites do not thrive on human hosts, but the bites can become infected due to scratching.
Rentokil bird mite prevention
Rentokil's experts in bird control can help you keep bird mites away by using bird deterrents that will keep their hosts away. Using deterrents such as bird spikes or bird netting can prevent birds from nesting and bringing mites with them into your home or business.
If you have a problem with a bird infestation, call Rentokil at 877-690-2115 or contact us online to schedule an inspection of your property. We'll consult with you about your bird problems and recommend solutions to get rid of pest birds for good.