Insect Bite Question

[elle357]

Every night when I clean out the area my ducks are in and pump out, clean, and redill their baby pool, I come in and have these red flat ‘bites’ I think from my ankles to my thighs. They don’t really itch. They are flat, and they are gone within a few hours. I had 12 the other night and 5 last night. My ducks free range all day outside their area and are only enclosed here at night. Its grass/dirt with some dry straw. We clean it daily. Any idea what these bites on me are? My ducks arent itching or seeming to have any issues at all. Just me.

 

[Cupcake1243]

Hhmm... very strange..... If your ducks aren't itching or showing any signs of illness then maybe you are allergic to something that is near/with them and so every night you are being exposed to it?

 

[elle357]

Im not sure. My daughter gets these spots as well, its so strange!

 

[Cupcake1243]

You may be allergic to something and it could run in the family..?

 

[elle357]

Okay so tonite, worse. Lots of bites and a teeny bit itchy. Go to take a shower and find a teeny tiny ‘bug’ I think in the tub. Couldn’t get good close ups by it was so tiny, brown colored.

 

[Cupcake1243]

What i think is this: The water/food from the ducks is attracting different bugs and some may bite.... If you want the problem to stop i would change something each night to your ducks things and see then if the next night you still get bites.

 

[Buckeye Amy]

The bite marks remind me of chiggers. They itch like crazy about a day after you've been bitten. I did a Google search for images. Here's the link: https://www.google.com/search?q=chi...WXHc0KHdzDAtYQ_AUoAXoECBsQAw&biw=1600&bih=744

 

[elle357]

Definitely not chiggers. Chigger bites are raised up on my skin. I think this may be poultry lice. It was definitely not a mite with 8 legs, it had 6 legs, and was sort of light brown. If it is poultry lice, how do they get it and how do I get rid of it easily. Honestly the whole thing grosses me out so much, I am ready to rehome the ducks. I have never had this issue with chickens. Or I have just been lucky.

 

[Folly's place]

At night, with a flashlight, look at your birds and see if they do have mites or lice. Part the feathers and look at skin, around the vent, under wings, and neck at least. Mites are TINY moving specks, lice are larger.
If the birds are clean, something in their environment is getting you. Wear boots and long pants, and insect repellent, and see if it helps.
Mary