Mystery Bug Week, Part IV: Mites Bite

One of the most mysterious bugs of Mystery Bug Week is the mite. What makes them mysterious? They are the stealth bombers of the bug world - you will never see them coming until it is too late! Note that there is no picture included for identification. This is not because we couldn't find a picture, it is because these tiny invaders are so small and transparent that finding  samples in your house is not the most practical means of identification. 

First, mite basics:

There are two main varieties of mites, free-living and parasitic. 

Free-living mites feed on other tiny insects, plants or dead natural matter. Dust mites fall into this category. They are probably living all around you, but unless you are allergic to them they do no harm and need no control.

Parasitic mites are another issue. We will briefly discuss three varieties, how to know you have them and what to do about it. Scabies mites are a skin condition, usually passed from person to person. This is not a problem pest professionals can deal with. If you have sores on your hands or wrists that itch and don't go away, see a medical professional immediately. These mites tunnel into the skin, so bug sprays are not an option in controlling them.

Rodent mites and Bird mites are a problem we often encounter here in San Diego. They live in and around bird and rodent nests, but are so tiny they can blow through a screened window and attack humans. Like bedbugs, they need a blood meal to live. The first question we ask when customers tell us they've been bit is, "Where on your body are the bites?" The reason for the question is that while bites on the legs and feet generally indicate a flea problem, bites in the joint areas - behind the knees, elbows, at the neck or mid-torso, indicate a bird or rodent mite infestation. The best way to treat these mites is to find the source - locate any bird or rodent population near your house - and remove it permanently. Follow-up measures include thorough vacuuming and application of an insecticide labeled for use against mites. But if the source is not found and removed, vacuuming and spraying will only bring temporary relief. You may not see these tiny mystery bugs - they are typically 1/32 of an inch long and nearly transparent - but you'll know it when they bite. Call a pest professional for help.