"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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Not Fleas!!!

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Hopefully someone will relate to this post and it will help them get rid of these horrible creatures quicker. About three months ago our home was infested by bird mites. This was late spring/early summer. We began noticing small bites, and at first we thought the small bites were flea bites. OK no big deal right? Those of you who have pets that go outdoors know that fleas can be a nuisance once in a while. So we call the local pest control company. They come and spray our home with spray. Immediately after the spraying we feel the bites again.

We go to the local pet store and buy bottles of the zodiac spray and home fogger. "The best stuff out there" says the guy. This stuff is not cheap. So we decide on a plan of spraying the home in areas where the fogger can not reach and then fogging the home. We follow the plan, and still have bites immediately after. We call the pest control company and they come and spray again. Immediately after, we have bites again. So again we spray the home on our own, and fog once more. Still more bites.

We call the pest control company and tell them that we are still experiencing bites and ask why that is after our home was treated multiple times. "It can take a few sprayings depending on the severity of the flea infestation" is the answer we get. Ok, so we reschedule again. They come out and spray but this time with pyrethins. "This stuff will get them" is their explanation of changing spray types. Still, we feel the bites immediately after the spraying. However, we also notice that the bites get worse after a spraying. The spraying seems to agitate the pest rather than killing it.

We then start to think that this may not be a flea problem after all. We know what fleas are like and these things are NOT fleas. First off, in a flea infestation, you are bound to see a flea or two...we have never seen one of these creatures to this day. Second, there is a horrible feeling of insects crawling on your skin. That might be the worst part of it all...you can feel them on you, but you can't see them. Third, the bites and crawling sensation happen more at night. We call up the pest control company with these questions and tell them it might not be fleas and the answer we get is. "No, they're fleas. You have pets and we see this all the time around this season." They come and spray with the pyrethins again...still we have bites after the spray and they get even worse. Notice a pattern here?

Meanwhile, time is going by during these sprayings, and things are getting worse. Our pest control company is determined to spray and fog them out. They spray repeatedly, but no results are showing. The bites and crawling sensation are happening almost all day and night. Our home is becoming more infested rather than less. After researching hours a day online, I come to the conclusion that these are bird mites. During the time period when the biting first occurred, there were birds in the area around our home. I then start researching more and more. Why are the various sprays and fogging being used to treat this not successful? I come across university research studies that have shown pests becoming resistant to pyrethins and insecticides in general. Things are starting to make sense now.

It is obvious the poison is not working and we are even feeling headaches, sick feeling in stomach etc. after the spraying and fogging. I then start to look for alternative methods to pest elimination. I comb through many boards and sites for tips on elimination of mites. Some are not useful, some are. I have spoken to many with the same issue and have tried many tips out and observed the effects. In the last two weeks I have made more progress than in the last 3 months. I still have the bird mites, but they are 90% better than they were during anytime previously. I thought we would never get rid of these pests, but with the following regimen, things are looking much better. There is still a long way to go, but at least now there is progress. Hopefully this can help some of you out. It is a tedious process to follow on a regular basis, but well worth it.

Things that have worked for us: Kleen Free Enzmes from naturalginesis.com. This product is truly a miracle. It kills the mites by causing them to prematurely shed their exoskeleton rather than attack their nervous system (which is what poisons do). Mites can not become resistant to this method of pest elimination. It is also all natural and safe for human use! Spray your home or area diligently with this in a sprayer. Also, their site is a great resource on mites and pests in general and the staff is top notch. (btw I'm not at all affiliated with them, just a very grateful consumer of the product.) Daily vacuuming of the home. Make sure to throw away your vacuum bag after your done vacuuming. They will crawl out if you keep the same bag on.

Daily cleaning of the home with bleach. In areas where you can use bleach; use it. It will kill the mites. Steam cleaning of carpets and upholstery. It will help you clean out the items, however don't look for it to kill all of the mites on large, heavy objects i.e. bed mattresses, sofas, couches, sofa chairs etc...basically anything with heavy fabric or cotton is a hiding area for the mites. They burrow deep, that is why they are hard to get. If you feel that a large object is infested with mites, if you can; just throw it out. Washing all clothes with Borax and/or Kleen Free Enzymes. After washing, make sure to keep clothes in dryer for long periods of time. Once done washing, iron out clothes.

Good luck and hopefully this helps someone out.

B.