Can I get mites from my chickens?

[Velocirooster]

As a fairly new chicken mommy, I'm sure I have a lot to learn. So, my newest issue may have nothing to do with my chickens at all, but it just occurred to me, that it could have something to do with my chickens.

We have been dealing with something for about a week now. We thought it was bed bugs, but we can find no sign of bed bugs at all. That's not to say that it isn't bed bugs, but it's looking more and more likely that it's something else. I have not checked my chickens yet because I just got the light bulb ding moment, and I'm at work. I'll check them as soon as I get home. My question is, can I get mites from my birds?

 

[Top Rooster]

No you can't get mites from your birds. Unless you never bathe.

 

[Velocirooster]

No you can't get mites from your birds. Unless you never bathe.

Perhaps I should rephrase that, and after reading another thread, it looks like I could transfer them into my home after handling the chickens.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes, though not common, it is possible for red roost mites to transfer from the coop to the house. And yes, those can bite humans too, although not in the sense of infestation like a bird.

You should go out to your coop at night and flash a light on the roosts and crevices. Also in the day time look for black streaks in the wood or small red globby looking things (mite piles).

Red roost mites are tenacious and can be very bothersome. It takes diligence to get rid of them in the coop and in the house if they have invaded.

Thankfully only the red roost mite can potentially invade a home. The Northern Mite and other feather mites live predominately on the bird and die when not in close contact. While those can crawl on humans tending chickens, they won't infest the home or human.

My understanding is Gordon's Poultry Spray controls both types of mites and can be sprayed on the birds and in the poultry house. I even found information that it could be used in homes and facilities just not in food areas. Some recommend DE for atics and crawl spaces for red roost mites. (Be sure to not breathe the DE).

I've linked some articles which should prove helpful in your investigation as to what may be causing your family's discomfort.

LofMc

https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/will-red-mite-infest-your-house/

http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily...ern-fowl-mites-red-mites-on-chickens-poultry/

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

http://gordonsusa.com/products/animal-insect-control.php?PRODUCT_CODE=9291102

 

[Velocirooster]

Yes, though not common, it is possible for red roost mites to transfer from the coop to the house. And yes, those can bite humans too, although not in the sense of infestation like a bird.

You should go out to your coop at night and flash a light on the roosts and crevices. Also in the day time look for black streaks in the wood or small red globby looking things (mite piles).

Red roost mites are tenacious and can be very bothersome. It takes diligence to get rid of them in the coop and in the house if they have invaded.

Thankfully only the red roost mite can potentially invade a home. The Northern Mite and other feather mites live predominately on the bird and die when not in close contact. While those can crawl on humans tending chickens, they won't infest the home or human.

My understanding is Gordon's Poultry Spray controls both types of mites and can be sprayed on the birds and in the poultry house. I even found information that it could be used in homes and facilities.

I've linked some articles which should prove helpful in your investigation as to what may be causing your family's discomfort.

LofMc

https://poultrykeeper.com/blog/will-red-mite-infest-your-house/

http://countrysidenetwork.com/daily...ern-fowl-mites-red-mites-on-chickens-poultry/

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/08/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification.html

God bless you! I'll read through this, and hope that I have solved our itchy little mystery. Thank you so much!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

God bless you! I'll read through this, and hope that I have solved our itchy little mystery. Thank you so much!

I just updated my post as I found the Gordon's Spray link, and yes, it is effective on red roost mites (Chicken mites) and can be used in non-food areas. I've only had to deal with Northern Fowl Mite (thank God), but I had heard it is effective for Red Roost as well.

You'll have to clean and tear your coops apart and power wash to get rid of it...and diligence in the home as well.

Sorry you may have this on your hands. It won't be fun but it can be controlled.
LofMc

 

[GGBEAR]

omg I'm so glad I don't live in the US lol
bloody mites are such a pain to deal with but if I ended up with them in my house think I would be in trouble for arson lol
however I'm slightly confused as surely to god u would literally have to get in and roll around with the chickens to get an amount of mites on you that would be needed to cause problems in your house?

 

[GGBEAR]

rofl

 

[Lady of McCamley]

omg I'm so glad I don't live in the US lol
bloody mites are such a pain to deal with but if I ended up with them in my house think I would be in trouble for arson lol
however I'm slightly confused as surely to god u would literally have to get in and roll around with the chickens to get an amount of mites on you that would be needed to cause problems in your house?

I'd be tempted to simply toss gasoline to get rid of them, too. Fortunately there are some products that work.

As to how they could become a problem, only a few mites are needed as they multiply exponentially. Mites can live and multiply a long time between feedings which is why they become so hard to eradicate. Also many times it is something like a sparrow nesting in an attic that will bring it into a house. Rodents can also carrying them in.
With the right environmental conditions you can quickly have a problem.
Hopefully in time the OP can look back and laugh about this with some humor. But until they are gone, it won't be fun.
LofMc

 

[Velocirooster]

OMG, I forgot all about starting this thread. What a nightmare this has been. It wasn't bed bugs, and it wasn't mites. What we have been dealing with has been chiggers, but I think we have them under control. We weren't exactly bringing them into the house, so much as the larvae dig in when they get on you, but there's no sign of them for about 24 hours. So it took us a while to figure out what we were dealing with. This has been a rather costly issue. So glad it's over.