Why do blood mites sometimes jump on people?
At the customer service of Finecto+, we regularly receive messages from people who are being jumped by bed bugs and, unfortunately, even have them in their homes. Often the question is, "Is this dangerous for me?" Simple answer: No, but it is extremely annoying. In this blog, we want to explain why bed bugs sometimes jump on people.
Red mites
15 April '22 • 2 min reading time
Extreme Mite Infestation
When mites jump on humans, it often indicates a massive mite infestation. There are so many mites that the ones on the chickens cannot get enough food and then look for other victims. In such cases, it is very important to tackle the infestation thoroughly by power washing the coop, adding a supplement to the feed, and spraying the coop with a coop spray. Read more here about the approach to mites.
One is more sensitive than the other
Just as one person gets bitten by mosquitoes faster than another, one is also more attractive to bed bugs than another. Some people can walk into a chicken coop and are immediately swarmed by the bed bugs present, while others never have any issues at all.
No worries: blood mites are not dangerous to humans
Blood mites can bite humans and cause irritation and itching. However, a blood mite cannot reproduce from human blood. They can only convert the blood of chickens and birds into new eggs. If there are no other animals nearby for the blood mite to feed on, the adult mite will die and will not be able to reproduce. Blood mites also do not transmit diseases. They are annoying and bothersome when they bite you, but they are not dangerous.
What to do about red mites in the house?
It can happen that you get red mites in your home. Often because there is a nest of wild birds against the house, and the red mites can then enter through small cracks. Controlling these red mites is extremely difficult since it is hard to treat wild birds with supplements. The most important step is to remove the source of contamination, but preferably only after the young birds have fledged. Then clean everything as thoroughly as possible with water since red mites cannot swim. Wash clothing, bedding, etc. at a minimum of 60 degrees, and all other fabric materials if possible as well. A steam cleaner can also help; the heat will kill the red mites and eggs. But be aware that red mites can hide in very small crevices and even after 2 years, the eggs can still hatch. Therefore, dealing with red mites in the house is very challenging. We advise against using a cage spray based on silicon dioxide in the house, due to the white haze that the product can leave behind and the fact that it is almost impossible to remove that haze. Sometimes, you cannot avoid using chemical agents in the house.
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