Birdmites.org

BIRD MITE INFESTATION STRATEGIES
ENVIRONMENTBird mites tend to wander away from a vacated birds nest in late spring and early summer. They will then look for an appropriate host and frequently it is a person in the nearest house or apartment. To avoid being the recipient of these unwanted guests, remove bird feeders and birdhouses from the yard and trim tree limbs near the house. Be wary of birds nesting in nearby trees, and underneath window air conditioners. To remove a vacated nest: wear vinyl gloves, long pants and shirt, and place the nest in a sealed bag in the trash. Clothes should be removed and washed immediately. Spray around eaves and windows with an effective miticide.
To avoid being the host to unwanted bird mite guests, trim overhanging tree limbs and branches in the
spring. Also, trim shrubs and over-growth near windows. Use screening to cover chimneys, broken
eaves, and other places where birds can build nests on the home.
Small birds often will build a nest underneath a window air conditioner unit, hidden from sight. It provides protection from predators and the weather in the spring and summer. Unfortunately, they often leave behind bird mites after the young birds leave the premises. The mites then become unwelcome guests in the home. It is a frequent complaint from people with bird mites in the home. To prevent birds from nesting there; measure and cut aluminum foil and duct tape it to the bottom sides of the a/c unit and the window frame.
TIP: To capture mite samples from a heavily infested room: Place a pan of hot, steaming water in the
middle of a darkened room at night. Place a single light over the pan, preferably a red IR lamp.
Leave the room undisturbed for a couple of hours. You will need to use a strong magnifier to see them
in the water. Place samples in a vial with alcohol to preserve. (Some are able to see the mites better
using a black light in a darkened room.)
Once a home has been invaded by bird mites, they are very difficult to remove. They are too small to be easily seen and will hide in places that make it difficult to clean or spray with insecticides. If the home invasion was only recent, then you may want to consult with a PCO who is familiar with bird mites. Unfortunately, many PCOs are not experienced with bird mite infestations or they may need a sample before spraying, which can be difficult to obtain. A miticide fumigant is often the ideal way to get rid of them in a heavily infested home. Mite samples can often be sent to a local county cooperative extension or a university entomology dept, to have them identified.
A home that is heavily infested is best treated with tenting and fumigation. Nothing else will be as effective. However, many do not have this option available; either from being in an apartment or else the expense is too much, as it could easily exceed $3000 to fumigate a home. Vikane gas is often the treatment of choice for fumigation, at 10x concentration. Some PCOs will resort to ULV fogging, with mixed results; depending on the chemicals used and how thorough the application. Keep in mind a a ULV fogger can produce particles no smaller than about 5 microns, whereas a thermal fogger produces particles as small as .5 microns; which can more effectively penetrate into infested furniture fabrics, carpeting, etc. An effective miticide (not pyrethrin or permethrin) needs to be used and a repeat application needs to be done about a week or two later. Also, wall cavities, crawl spaces, and the attic should be treated with a residual chemical, such as Delta Dust.
PCO Considerations
 A newer generation product, such as Onslaught, should be used
 An IGR, such as Nylar, can be added to the mixture  Comprehensive ULV fogging of all living spaces is required  A residual dusting powder should be used in crawl spaces and enclosed areas  A repeat application should be done about 7 days later Bird mites will more frequently infest the bedroom, since they are most active at night. The mattress, box spring and pillows should be encased in zippered vinyl protectors, to prevent infestation. They can be wiped down nightly with a Swifter wet mop that is sprayed with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and 91% rubbing alcohol, orange oil, or with a diluted bleach solution. Alternately, you could use a good bug spray a few hours before bedtime. Other non-toxic alternatives include an enzyme cleaner, Boric Acid and water solution, Dawn soap solution, etc. This spraying and cleaning is a royal pain to do nightly but it can help significantly with getting a few hours sleep.
FYI: When bird mites have infested a home, it is as important to clean the walls and ceiling, as the
flooring. A Swifter wet mop treated with a miticide chemical can be effective for walls and ceilings.
If possible, remove the headboard and footboard to minimize the places where the mites can hide. A metal bed frame is easier to clean than wood, as wooden ones are more easily infested. You can also have the legs of the bed frame wrapped with sticky flypaper so that they aren't able to crawl up from the floor. You should keep the bed away from the walls so they cannot get on the bed so easily. During a heavy infestation, the bed linen should be used only once and then put in a sealed plastic bag with mothballs until washed. Clean linens should be applied right before bed.
Please do not donate or give away used furniture and clothing that has been infested by mites. They
should be discarded in the trash. The person who never receives these items will be forever grateful!!!
Carpet, especially in the bedroom, makes it hard to eliminate a mite infestation. Wood and tile floors can more easily be cleaned. Evercare, which makes the lint rollers, also makes a large handle wide tape roller that can be used on hard floors, and even the walls. If the floor is carpeted, daily vacuuming may be required. One solution that is somewhat effective with carpeting is a mite dusting powder. For a long-standing infestation, the carpet may need to be removed.
When a room is heavily infested, bird mites will not only be in the carpeting but on the walls and ceiling and in cracks and crevices. Be sure to treat these areas also. A Swifter wet mop can be used for walls and ceilings. Apply an effective bug spray to the pad and wipe down the surfaces, preferably in the evening when mite activity increases. (A wall with semi-gloss paint is easier to clean than one with a flat paint.) MITE DUSTING POWDER: An empty talc bottle that is partially filled with Sevin 10% dust and Hartz Flea & Tick Powder can be an effective miticide. Use 5 parts Sevin to 1 part Hartz, and make the container about half full. The dusting powder can be puffed onto the carpet, in the car, behind cabinets, in closets, etc. Avoid breathing the dust. A non-toxic mite dusting powder can be a 50/50 mixture of Boric Acid powder (used for cockroaches) and Diatomaceous Earth.
Daily vacuuming is one of the most important things to do for reducing mite activity in the home. A small hand held vac is crucial for all the surface cleaning. You can use it on your clothing, on your skin, small surfaces like the computer, furniture, etc. The filter should be strong enough to prevent them from escaping. Duct tape the opening after use to prevent the mites from escaping. When using an upright floor vac on carpeting, be sure to vacuum in hidden areas as mites tend to hide during the day. Seal the end of the bag with duct tape after use and put it in the freezer until it is used again. Bagless vacs are not a good idea. For the car and for remote locations, a cordless vac can be used, although a car wash vac is more powerful and should be used frequently.
Household furniture is another place where bird mites like to hide. They seem to have an affinity for cotton and most fabrics. Leather and wood furniture is preferred to upholstered furniture, as it is much easier to clean and less susceptible to infestation. The mite dusting powder can be applied to the Remove clutter from living spaces to minimize the places bird mites can hide. They generally will hide
during the day, and so stacks of magazines, newspapers, etc, should be discarded. Personal items
should be kept in sealed plastic bags whenever possible and mothballs can be added to the bags.
AUTOMOBILEThe automobile can be a major headache for those afflicted with mites. They can burrow into the headliner, the seats, the carpeting, in the dash, etc. Leather seats are preferred to clothe seats, and even a sunroof can help keep the mites away some while driving. A mite dusting powder can be applied to the carpeting. Raid makes a home fogger with Cypermethrin that can be used in the car (using the precautions mentioned). If using an insecticide fogger: Turn the heater on high for a few minutes to stimulate mite activity. Then, remove a battery terminal to eliminate any risk of electrical problems. Cover the plastic on the dash with something to prevent the aerosol from fading the clear plastic. Fog in the evening and make sure the outside air vent and windows are closed. And allow the Other tips for reducing mite activity in the car include: Vacuuming at a car wash, hanging a no-pest-strip from the rear view mirror at night, keeping a cordless vac handy, using a lint roller for pulling them off the skin, placing Bounce fabric sheets in all the seats cushions, placing the car in the hot sun in the summer, and in the winter keep the windows down slightly on cold nights (as extreme temperatures will limit their ability to reproduce and aggressively bite).
Regarding insecticides, Pyrethrin and Permethrin are not effective against bird mites, don't waste your money on these products. Better choices are those with Tralomethrin, Bifenthrin, Cyfluthrin or Esfenvalerate. It is important to vary the type of bug spray used every once in a while as they become tolerant to most things being used. Some effective miticides include Spectracide's 'Bug Stop' with Lamba-Cyhalothrin, Bayer's 'Power Force' with Beta Cyfluthrin (concentrate), and Hot Shot's 'Ultra' with Imiprothrin and Esfenvalerate.
WARNING.Always use caution with insecticides and other chemical products, especially in a
household with children or pets. Everyone's tolerance to chemical exposure is different; please consult your health care provider if uncertain. BATHING & SHOWERINGThorough skin cleansing is important daily; to reduce the mite itching and biting. Showering is often more effective than bathing, although some have reported good success with a hot bath using Epsom salt, Borax, Sea Salt, etc. Mites will not die in warm water and so just sitting in a tub will not help. Whether taking a shower or bath, use a loofah scrub pad to remove mites from the skin. Add Epsom salt to a loofah scrub pouch and allow it to dissolve while scrubbing vigorously.
Coal Tar is very effective for itchy skin, and a product highly recommended is Denorex 'Therapeutic Strength' shampoo, which has 2.5% Coal Tar. This is not only used as a hair shampoo, but as a body wash. It is more effective to shower completely first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. A concentrated Coal Tar soap is available at some health food stores. At times after showering or bathing it may be necessary to use a diluted bleach solution to relieve the intense itching and kill the mites on the skin. Spritz this on with a spray bottle (avoid getting it in the eyes), and allow to stay on for a minute or so. After drying off use medicated talc with menthol, such as Gold Bond 'extra strength'. The tub/shower should also be sprayed with a diluted bleach solution after use.
For the frequently intense itching and skin irritation, a strong anti-itch medication can be helpful. Lanacane 'Maximum Strength' works good. Even a muscle pain relieving product, like 'extra strength' Ben-Gay with menthol and camphor, can often help ease the irritation. Some have had success with Arrid Extra Dry antiperspirant for getting mites off the skin. The active ingredient is Aluminum Chlorohydrate 24%. It seems to be effective for repelling or killing the mites, and can also be sprayed onto clothing, etc. An anti-histamine can often help to reduce the irritation on the skin and reduce the sensation of biting. Some have reported that Zyrtec helps reduce the sensation of crawling and itching. And at night Benadryl can help with these symptoms, as well as to help the person relax and fall asleep. On occasion the physician or dermatologist may need to prescribe something stronger.
TIP: Take a Bounce fabric sheet and spray some orange oil cleaner onto it. Rub the skin vigorously
with the wetted sheet. It can provide temporary relief from the biting and itching.
HAIR/SCALPSometimes bird mites will infest the scalp, especially those who have thick hair. Women frequently have complaints of mites on the scalp, especially at night. Some have resorted to drastically cutting their hair when the mites could not effectively be controlled. Coal tar shampoo can be effective. Also, a vinegar/water rinse can be useful when washing the hair and scalp. Some have also had success with a diluted lemon juice concentrate as a hair and scalp rinse. Tea Tree Oil, a known miticide, can be added to the shampoo. At bedtime, a shower cap can be worn. Place one or more Bounce fabric sheets in the cap to help repel the mites.
To keep mites out of the mouth and nose when sleeping, the following mixture can help: Mix together some sublimed sulfur powder and Vaseline in a small jar and apply around the lips and nose at night before bed. Sublimed sulfur (flower of sulfur) can be obtained from a drug store without a prescription. Some have had good success using either Sulfur 8 or Aquaphor, applied to the skin at night. Others have recommended an anti-fungal cream applied around the mouth, nose and even genitals at night. Wearing a flea & tick collar around the neck at night may also help. Other solutions include putting Bounce fabric sheets or menthol crystals in the bed to repel them. Gargle with full strength original flavor Listerine daily when they are in the mouth.
Saline nasal flush is good for clearing mites out of the nose and sinus cavities. Obtain 'sea salt' from a health food store, mix about 1 tsp of salt with about 2 ounces of warm water, and mix it until it dissolves. Use a small syringe bulb (like what is used for flushing out ear wax), and fill this with the solution. Tilt your head back and apply the warm salt water solution into your nostrils and sinuses, and then flush it out completely. Another option would be to make a Hydrogen Peroxide and warm water solution to flush out the nostrils. You may need to do this a time or two each day, especially in the morning if the mites were active at night.
Mack's silicone earplugs are effective for keeping mites out of the ears at night while sleeping. During the day, a dropper bottle that has a 50/50 solution of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, can be effective for clearing mites out of the ears. For ears that itch, hydrogen peroxide can be used. Leave it in for a couple of minutes and then clear it out completely.
EYESTo keep mites out of the eyes while sleeping, swimming goggles are effective. The low-profile type is less obtrusive and more comfortable to wear. Be sure that they are snug fitting around the edges in order to keep the mites away.
CLOTHES/LINENSA good lint roller can be effective for getting them off your skin and clothing. Change the tape frequently. Even a strip of duct tape can be used to pull crawling mites off the skin. Bounce fabric sheets act as a mite repellent and can be put in clothing and shoes worn during the day to reduce the amount of crawling and biting.
Bed linens that are 100% cotton, such as flannel sheets, can more easily become infested and are harder to clean than synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or even satin. The same goes for clothes worn to bed. Some people report having better luck with ‘jump suits’ or jogging outfits that are synthetic and are tightly woven; which makes it more difficult for mites to penetrate.
Clothes that are contaminated should be kept in a heavy-duty plastic trash bag containing mothballs. (Use the chemical type with Paradichlorobenzene, not the 'old fashion' type mothballs.) Modern mothballs have a scent that does not linger in clothing, and the chemical is effective against mites and the eggs. You can also add a Hot Shot 'no-pest strip' (that contains Dichlorovos) to the bag. Clothes that are infested may need to be laundered after wearing only once. The same goes for bed linen that is heavily infested.
TIP: Use the chemical type mothballs with Paradichlorobenzene, not the 'old fashion' type, when
storing clothing, etc. Keep in mind the chemical can attack some plastics, so precaution is needed.
Frequent laundering of clothing and bed linens is important to keep mites under control. Use the hottest water possible and add about a cup or two of ammonia to the wash. Bleach can be used with white materials and bed linens. It may be necessary to turn up the hot water tank to at least 135 degrees F in order to be effective. (This may not be an option in a household where toddlers can turn on faucets, as the water could be scalding.) Epsom salt or Borax can also be added to the water. Clothes dryer should be on the highest heat setting possible. Gas dryers tend to get hotter than electric ones. Place a couple of Bounce fabric sheets in the dryer and make sure clothes stay in for a long period of time. Clothing should be steam ironed on the high heat setting before being worn. Even socks and underclothes should be steam ironed. Clean clothes should be stored in containers with mothballs until they are ready to be worn.
TIP: Invest in a good quality steam iron for the daily ironing that needs to be done.
LAUNDRY TIP:Put in the laundry soap, ammonia and Epsom salt (or Borax) with the water prior to putting in the clothing. (Bleach instead of ammonia for some items). Fill the washing machine only half full of water for the load being washed. (This produces a more concentrated wash). Let the machine agitate the load for a few minutes to saturate the soap and chemicals in with the wash load completely. Then shut off the machine and let it sit for about a half hour or more. Then turn the machine back on to complete the cycle. Although the water will have cooled off somewhat, it can still help kill the mites and eggs more effectively this way; as most machines cycle from the hot water wash to the cold water rinse fairly quickly. Front loaders are less effective for cleaning using this method because they do not saturate the water as completely.
Like in humans, mites prefer warm, moist areas; and will get in the ears, mouth, and even eyes. This will be especially true in pets, as mites will have a harder time penetrating the animal's skin. Some have reported good success with ‘Thiabendazole’ for their pets. It is a medicine to treat parasites that can be taken internally or applied topically; such as to the dog or cat’s ears. It has to be prescribed by the Vet. 'Mitaban', which is used to treat mange mites on dogs, may be beneficial. The active ingredient is Amitraz, which is a very effective miticide. It can be applied as a dip to treat the coat. It has to be prescribed by the Vet. Some have also had success with 'Frontline' products for pets. For internal infestation, Ivermectin is no longer the drug of choice for pets with a bird mite infestation. A research study showed that the amount of the drug needed to effectively reduce the mite population of D. Gallinae was near the lethal limit for the host mammal. And a Vet will not usually prescribe the higher dosage required for a bird mite infestation.
Lime-sulfur dip is a safe alternative for ridding parasites from the animal's fur, and can be obtained without a prescription for dogs and cats. An anti-parasitic animal shampoo called ‘Rotenone’, by Goodwinol, may be effective against bird mites. It is derived from the Derris and Cube Roots, and it is often used by Vets for the treatment of Demodectic mites, lice, and fleas. The shampoo is basically Sulfur, Rotenone, and Benzocaine. It is safe for use on dogs and cats. They also make an ointment that can be used to treat infested ears. Sulfodene, which is made for dogs but is beneficial to human sufferers as well, can be used to treat the animal’s irritated skin as it contains sulfur and coal tar. The 'Preventic' tick collar for dogs contains Amitraz and may be beneficial also, and can be obtained without a prescription. As with humans, the environment has to be aggressively cleaned. Bedding should be washed and changed frequently.
NATURAL REMEDIESThere are some natural non-toxic alternatives that may be beneficial; even if they just bring some short-term relief for irritated skin, or as a deterrent from the biting. Unfortunately, many of these would not be considered a means to completely eradicate mites. The list is not comprehensive, and as more remedies are recommended or as further research indicates, they will be added.
 Limonene or d-Limonene (orange oil), extracted from citrus peel, is shown to be effective against external pests; including fleas, lice, mites, and ticks, and is virtually nontoxic to warm-blooded mammals. It is sold in concentrate or ready mixed spray bottle, often labeled as a cleaner/degreaser. It can be sprayed on bedding, clothing, in bathrooms, etc.
 Some essential oils have anti-parasitic properties and have been shown to be very effective against mites; these include eucalyptus, cedarwood, peppermint, lavender, and lemongrass. Even burning incense in a room can limit mite activity; as it can disrupt their ability to communicate. A hot bath can be prepared with oils, or a spray bottle solution can be made for applying on the skin. There was a research study which confirmed that some plant essential oils were toxic to D. Gallinae, but only with direct contact.
 Cedar oil based products have reportedly been successful by some for eradicating bird mites in the home. It is not inexpensive and it has to be applied with a ULV fogger and the user must wear a breathing mask, according to the Cedarcide website protocol.
 Neem oil has anti-parasitic properties. One study showed that mite traps with 20% Neem Oil reduced the bird mite population 95% versus the non-treated areas.
 Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a non-toxic pesticide that kills insects by shredding their exoskeleton and drying them out. Some research has shown that D. Gallinae resists desiccation, possibly due to its small size. A newer product, called Ecomite, claims to be effective against mites. DE can be applied like the mite dusting powder; into the carpet, in wall spaces and other confined areas. Farmers sometimes liberally apply DE to clothing when working with chickens infested by mites.
 Boric acid powder (Borate) is virtually non-toxic to humans but lethal to small bugs. Often sold as a cockroach powder. It can be used as a mite dusting powder for application to carpeting and other areas. Borax laundry booster, which is high in Borate, can be effective when washing clothes that are infested.
 Listerine mouthwash can be used on the skin to bring some relief from the itching, and it also acts as a mite repellent when spritzed on the skin using a spray bottle.
 Mites do not like menthol, and putting some menthol crystals in an old sock and placing this under the bed sheets may help in keeping them away at night. Vicks 'VapoRub' contains menthol and camphor, and it can be applied to the skin at night.
 Bounce fabric sheets can be used as a mite repellant. Place some in clothing, shoes, etc., anyplace where mites are bothersome. Orange oil cleaner sprayed on a Bounce sheet and then wiped on the skin, is effective for reducing the itching and biting.
 Epsom salt, which has a high sulfur content, can be effective against mites. A couple of cupfuls can be added to hot water when bathing. Epsom salt can also be used when doing laundry with hot  Vinegar can be used to reduce the itching and skin irritation. A spray bottle of vinegar and salt water is also effective as a mite repellent.
 Dawn dishwashing soap diluted in a spray bottle has been effective for some, and it can be safely sprayed on many surfaces. The surfactants in Dawn apparently are effective at breaking down the mite's exoskeleton. Mites cannot build up an immunity to this type of treatment, as with pesticides.
 Windex with Ammonia-D is reportedly successful for killing bird mites. Precaution should be used when spraying this on certain surfaces.
 Some petroleum based products can be applied to the skin to repel mites while sleeping. Products such as Aquaphor, Sulfur 8, baby oil, or Vaseline mixed with sublimed sulfur, can be effective.
SUMMARY:
 Remove the source of mites (if known)  Seal mattress, box spring and pillows with vinyl protectors  Infested items in sealed bags with mothballs  Frequent laundering of clothing and bed linens  Steam iron all clothing on high heat before wearing  Patience, Prayer, and Perseverance.

Source: http://www.birdmites.org/resources/strategies_print.pdf