Bird Mites: What They Are and How to Prevent Them

Wild birds nesting or living on or near your property are not only a nuisance, they can also bring a variety of vermin and parasites with them. Some of these parasites can affect your home and you and your family. One common parasite birds often carry is bird mites.

What Are Bird Mites?

Bird mites are parasites that attach themselves to birds. These pests live on the skin of wild birds and fowl and are most active at night and early morning. These mites are small, but you can see them with the naked eye.

What Dangers Do Bird Mites Present?

Since bird mites are living on the skin of the birds, you might think that they don't present a danger. However, bird mites can be an irritant and a danger to you and your family members.

1. Bite and Irritants

Bird mites can jump from a bird onto pets and even humans, biting them in the process. These bites can raise whelps and cause extensive itching, although they aren't poisonous. While bird mites can't reproduce on human skin, they can infest domestic animals such as dogs, cats, and rodents.

2. Fast Reproduction

Bird mites can create a new generation of parasites in as little as seven days. Within a month's time, you can see between four and five generations of bird mites.

3. Invasion of Your Home

With a fast reproduction rate, bird mites can invade your home. Bird mites can live up to three weeks, so you might have three to four generations thriving in your home or on your property at any one time.

Keep Bird Mites Out with Critter Guard

The best way to avoid bird mites and other bird-related parasites is to prevent birds from roosting or nesting on or near your property. At Critter Guard, our BirdBloc product is designed to deter birds and their parasites from making your home theirs. To learn more about our BirdBloc product, contact us today!