ITCH MITES

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WHAT'S BUGGING YOU? Mites are not insects. They are related to spiders and scorpions. Most mites that bite are parasites that feed on the blood of rats, birds, or insects. These mites bite people only when they are starving because of the absence of their usual hosts. Other non-parasitic mites may cause severe rashes when people handle infested foodstuff.

Reactions to mite bites are often delayed because it is an allergic reaction and not one caused by the bite itself.

This delayed reaction causes difficulties in finding the source of the infestation because the victim often leaves the infested area before noticing the bite.

MITE IDENTIFICATION

With the exception of bird mites, most mites are too small to be seen without a microscope. Mites can be identified by collecting dust samples with a vacuum cleaner and examining them under a microscope. Mites visible to the eye or felt crawling on the skin can be collected for identification by tacking them onto a piece of transparent tape.

MAJOR PEST SPECIES

Bird Mite problems usually occur after nesting birds in ceiling, eaves, or trees leave their nests. Mites left behind without a host to feed on migrate from the nests in large numbers and tend to bite any warm-blooded animal they encounter. Bird mites are usually not wind-blown. They are large enough to be seen crawling on walls.

Rat Mites usually begin biting people after successful rodent eradication in heavily infested buildings. Like bird mites, they usually do not bite people unless they are left without their usual host to feed upon.

Staw Itch Mites are parasites that feed on beetle larvae that infest bean pods such as haole koa, monkey pods, etc. Complaints usually occur when bean pods open and the mites are windblown onto people nearby. Homes with beetle-infested beans or cereals in cupboards often have problems with this mite. Bites can cause severe irritation.

Grain itch Mites. Improperly packaged or stored food, particularly cereal products, often become infested with mites after long storage. Some of these mites cause severe skin rashes when infested materials are handled. Mite infestation should be suspected whenever stored food products are covered with a fine powder.

Adapted from the State of Hawaii Department of Health Vector Control Branch - Bulletin.