Got a green dilemma? Ask me! I'll be answering a new question each week.
I just found out I have bird mites in my house. Do you know of an eco-friendly way to get rid of them? —Beccie McDonell
Yikes, poor you! I have childhood memories of red, excruciatingly itchy bird mite bites. These arthropods, less than a millimeter long, are barely visible white specks until they turn red with the blood they’ve consumed. They don't feed on human blood, but they still bite us, and their saliva causes skin irritation. Bird mites cannot survive for longer than three weeks without bird contact.
The eco-friendliest way to get rid of bird mites, or any pest, is to employ Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is basically a fancy way of saying you should try everything else before insecticides. First, vacuum (and discard the bag or empty the canister promptly) or wipe up mites with a damp cloth. Wash clothes, drapery, and bedding in hot water, seal them in plastic bags, or freeze them—all of which kill bird mites.
The problem won’t be entirely solved, however, until you remove unoccupied bird nests from around your house (eaves, porches, chimneys, window wells and ledges) and inside the attic. Be sure to wear a mask, gloves, and long-sleeved, tightly woven clothing to keep mites off. Discourage future nest-building by covering and sealing gaps, and close windows.
Federal law forbids removal of active (occupied by birds and/or eggs) migratory bird nests, including those of starlings, which are frequently drawn to houses. Many state laws protect other species, such as robins, as well. If there are active nests attached to your house, contact your nearest USDA cooperative extension office.
For more information, see Penn State University's bird mite fact sheet.
Mindy Pennybacker regularly answers readers' green-living questions. She is also editor of GreenerPenny.com and author of Do One Green Thing: Saving the Earth Through Simple, Everyday Choices.
From: Captain Whofish | 1/2/13 at 1:02 pm
I want to recommend that people do tests to verify whether the problem is in fact bird mites. I thought I had bird mites a couple years ago. There were crawling sensations, especially after retiring for the night. There were even red itchy bumps. However, it turns out the problem came from mercury. I broke at least three CFL light bulbs in a poorly ventilated living environment and inhaled the mercury vapors. Symptoms included insomnia, brain fog, black specks on skin (especially during detox), sudden disorientation, spaciness, inability to recall names and common words and more. After some detox, a healthy diet and supplements, the symptoms disappeared. Miso and Kefir took care of all insomnia problems. Miso is a great chelating agent for heavy metals. A lot of ailments can cause these same symptoms, including lyme, candida albicans, morgellons and, of course, mercury. Mercury can also invite parasites including candida yeast, so some people may have more than one of these conditions. Find specimens and test first. If you have some of these other symptoms, get tested for these other conditions.
From: judy machnik | 5/13/13 at 9:27 am
I love birds and have bird houses all over my yard. However I have to toy poodles and they are itching all the time., they are on their monthly medication. Is it possible that their are bird mites are in the back yard and are causing the dogs to itch so much, if so is their anything I can do to get rid of them without harming dogs or birds.