"Dedicated to finding effective solutions for bird mite infestations of humans and their environment, encouraging those afflicted, facilitating research and a better understanding of human parasitosis."

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Please submit only questions related to a bird mite infestation that have not previously been addressed on the website. Due to the volume of mail, it may not be possible to reply to all the questions submitted. Thank you for your understanding...Administrator.

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When two rock pigeon's started their courtship on our balcony I thought - Ah sweet. They made a nest in a pot plant on the balcony and laid 2 eggs. The chicks hatched and we watched as the parents took turns feeding and caring for them. Little did I know I was to going to hate these birds. The one morning I woke up to something crawling across my face I brushed it away and again I felt a crawling. And in my hair crawling - Argh!

I looked on my white pillow and saw it covered in little bugs. I collected some on some sticky tape and took it to the pharmacist who confirmed my suspicions - bird mites! I happened on this site. Your help has been incredible, I went home and fumigated, vacuumed the carpets, laundered bedding, washed down the balcony and got mite spray from a pet store. By now the babies were fully grown with all their feathers, so we shooed them away and threw away the pot plants, put up bird detractors. I think I have got rid of them, and learnt not to let birds roost near us ever again! Thanks to your site. T., South Africa

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Have been struggling with this horrible affliction since moving to my house 18 months ago, a nightmare that fills my waking moments and those few hours of sleep I manage to snatch each night. Interestingly this has led me down many paths not the least of which the discovery that the medical profession is uneducated largely here in Australia regarding the problem - moreover the readiness to jump to conclusions that my problems are psychiatric! Even suffered the indignity of having a dermatologist arrogantly prescribe an extremely strong and dangerous antipsychotic whilst telling me the medication was specifically intended to "kill" the mites from the inside. I am starting to wonder if the real reason my house's former occupant committed suicide was related to the mites? Now it is all starting to make sense and your site has helped me immensely to understand that I'm not alone in this bizarre situation. Now to educate the rest of the populace! A., Western Australia

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I have lived with this nightmare for years, since doves and pigeons nested in the void utility space in my apartment in LA., infesting the apartment. And now pigeons and doves have entered the attic of my home here in AL., causing an infestation of this house. The problem has been so bad that at times I seriously thought I was cursed for having done some terrible deed. Now your site has given me some hope. I adopted a cat, thinking that a companion animal would help with the depression, but now I see that she is suffering, too. I can't bear the thought of this sweet innocent little feline being tormented like I've been. At least I've found your web site and bookmarked it so I can look at it further tomorrow. Thanks again. J.

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I just want to say "thank you" for sharing your stories and strategies for getting rid of these awful pests! We live in a three-story condo, with the kitchen and main living area on the second floor. Some time in June birds built a nest in the window box off the kitchen window. At first, we thought it was great to watch the baby birds...then I noticed tiny little creatures coming in the window. I immediately closed the window and kept it closed, realizing that they were mites. I called a company who specialize in birds and exterminating. They never returned my call. I then tried the wildlife center, who informed me that to remove the nest was against the law. They suggested that I tape off the window, but that there wasn't anything else I could do. Honestly, I didn't want the birds to die, so I ignorantly left them. I now wish that I had just got rid of them, knowing what I know now. Mites are persistent! After reading info on this site, I'm going to try this again, but with the recommended fogger. I seem to be the only one in my family who is itching. I've lost sleep and thought I was just being ridiculous. I now have ear itching and I believe they are on me. It is totally disgusting. I look forward to trying all other suggestions. I had already thought to buy the coal tar shampoo, thinking that if it wasn't mites (and not dandruff), that it might be another skin irritation. I'm hoping this is the end of this. T.

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I just wanted to write and express my gratitude. Last year in the summer, I was diagnosed with scabies and it was a living nightmare going through what it took to get rid of them. Today I realized they had returned, and I found that odd. Then I realized that I could see them so easily (I actually caught one in the act of test biting me), and it was a tell tale sign it wasn't scabies. I looked it up in Wikipedia to be more certain and had seen a note "often confused with bird mites." I then realized that there was a bird nest on each of the a/c units on my apartment complex. So last summer and this summer I was basically blowing bird mites into and all over my apartment when I switched on the air!! They were creeping in through the screens too. The photos on your site and others identify the little creepers that I captured. The information you provided was also quite helpful. It's amazing how akin some of the symptoms and solutions to bird mites are to those for scabies. There is an over the counter product I think called Raid Max that I used last time around and it was AMAZINGLY effective for my apartment. It's a do it yourself fumigation style thing and you get three canisters per box for a very reasonable price which was plenty for my two bedroom apartment. It's still cheaper than hiring a pro if you trust yourself to find all their hiding spots. Of course I realize now it helps to remove the source of the problem first!!! Thanks T.

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Thanks for your advice, over the last week I have been vacuuming everyday and I found a mite spray for bird cages which I have been spraying everywhere! The good news is that I think I have got rid of them, the last 2 days have been itch-free! If it wasn't for your website I probably wouldn't have taken any action because I read an article that said that bird mites will die after 10 days without a bird host. So, I hope that life can go back to normal now, although I have a new hatred for pigeons! B

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This Thursday, while pet sitting for a friend, I took down a fern that a pigeon had been nesting in to water and clean out all the dead stalks for her. Shortly thereafter, I began to itch and took a look at the nest on the paper plate I had left it on to shown my grandchildren. There were many tiny bugs on the plate. Overnight I broke out in tiny red spots with some welts under my arms and around my waist. It's now Sunday morning, I have more bites that itch like crazy and creepy crawling sensations on my body. I'm very glad I looked this up on the web and found your site. Since my children and grandchildren live with me, along with 4 dogs, 3 cats and two birds, the spread potential is scary. Thank you for the information and the resource you provide. I'll try the cures and keep you posted on what works for me. J

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I'm glad you've provided a forum for people that have this scourge. Many times they are diagnosed with (delusory) parasitosis and they get absolutely no help or support. You're providing a great service! Thanks again, M 

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Thanks again for the website! It helps to know that there are others who can share their experience and what has worked for them! D

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First. Thank you so much for putting this site together. I was literally going out of my mind (everyone's starting sentence I am sure) before I was recommended to see your site. I had done so many of the things recommended just through trial and error it was a little eerie reading the suggestions and the posts. Thank you for all of your help. You are definitely giving a great service to the world. M.

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