Bird mites are small external parasites that can occasionally bite humans. These mites normally live on the bodies of birds, but sometimes migrate to other animals, including people. Bird mites belong to two different groups: feather mites and nest mites. Feather mites live on the bodies of birds and complete their entire life cycle there. Nest mites inhabit the nests of birds and only occasionally bite humans when their natural hosts are gone. Both types of bird mites can cause minor skin irritation in humans due to their bites, but they do not reproduce or live long-term on human bodies.
How do bird mites affect humans?
Bird mites do not actually live on or in human skin. They just land on people temporarily when their normal bird hosts have left the nest or died. The mites bite humans in an attempt to feed on blood, but are unable to properly digest it.
Some common symptoms of bird mite bites in humans include:
- Itching, irritation, and inflammation where bitten
- Small red bumps or welts on the skin
- Skin lesions from excessive scratching
The bites usually go away on their own within a week or two. The mites cannot reproduce without bird hosts, so the problem is temporary. However, the bites can be quite bothersome, especially if there are a lot of them!
How long can bird mites survive without birds?
Bird mites can only live for approximately 7-10 days without a host to feed on. Once abandoned by their normal hosts, the mites opportunistically seek out mammals, including humans, to bite. But they cannot reproduce or establish colonies long-term on human bodies.
Here’s an overview of how long bird mites survive when bird hosts are gone:
- Feather mites: Up to 3 days without a bird host
- Nest mites: 5-10 days maximum without a bird host
Nest mites tend to live a little longer because they are accustomed to staying in the nest when adult birds are away. But neither species can permanently switch to feeding on humans.
Do bird mites reproduce on humans?
No, bird mites do not reproduce when living on human bodies. They can only complete their life cycles and reproduce on avian hosts.
The mites may accidentally bite and irritate humans while searching for a new bird host. But they are unable establish breeding colonies, lay eggs, or sustain populations long-term on humans or in homes.
Why bird mites cannot reproduce on humans:
- They cannot digest human blood properly to nourish eggs
- They lack proper stimuli from bird hosts to stimulate reproduction
- The conditions on human skin are unsuitable for breeding and laying eggs
So while the bites are a nuisance, at least you don’t have to worry about the mites multiplying! They will die out naturally within about 7-10 days without avian hosts.
Can bird mites establish long-term colonies on humans?
No, bird mites cannot establish long-term colonies, nests, or populations on human bodies. They rely on birds to complete their life cycles.
Humans are just incidental, temporary hosts when their normal bird hosts have vanished from the nest or habitat. The mites may opportunistically bite humans for blood meals, but cannot reproduce or thrive without avian hosts.
Why bird mites cannot colonize humans:
- They cannot digest human blood properly over the long term
- They lack the proper chemical, physical, and hormonal signals from birds needed to colonize
- Humans do not provide suitable habitats for breeding colonies
Within several days to a week or two, any bird mites that land on humans will die off naturally. They absolutely cannot establish permanent breeding colonies on people like they do on birds.
How long do the bites and symptoms last in humans?
The skin irritation and bites from bird mites may be bothersome, but generally last no more than 1-2 weeks in humans. The symptoms go away on their own once the mites die off, which takes about 7-10 days without avian hosts.
Here’s a timeline of what to expect:
- Days 1-2: Mites begin biting humans as alternate hosts, causing itchy red bites.
- Days 3-5: More mites may continue to bite and cause welts and skin inflammation.
- Days 6-10: Biting and symptoms gradually subside as mites die off.
- Days 11-14: Most mites are dead, bites heal and symptoms resolve.
So while bird mites are a nuisance, they cannot permanently infest humans and will die naturally within about 7-10 days. The bites and irritation generally last no more than 1-2 weeks before going away on their own.
Can bird mites transmit diseases to humans?
Bird mites do not transmit infectious diseases to humans. They are not known to spread any viruses, bacteria, fungi, or other pathogens that cause illness.
However, bird mites can cause the following issues in humans:
- Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
- Secondary infections if bites are scratched excessively
- Psychological distress or sleep loss for some people
But there are no known infectious diseases transmitted solely by the bite of bird mites. The biggest health risks come from excessive scratching that damages the skin. Overall, bird mites do not pose major physical health hazards to humans.
Diseases NOT transmitted by bird mites:
- Lyme Disease
- West Nile Virus
- Salmonella
- Bartonella
- Tularemia
- Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
So while bird mite bites are irritating, at least we don’t have to worry about contracting any dangerous diseases from them! The mites are more of a nuisance than a health hazard.
How to get rid of bird mites on humans
Here are some effective ways to get rid of bird mites that are biting humans:
Remove bird nests/roosts
Eliminate any abandoned bird nests or roosts on your property. This takes away the mite’s food source and habitat.
Apply insect repellent
Spray insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin on exposed skin and clothing. This makes you less appealing to mites looking for a blood meal. Reapply daily.
Take antihistamines
Antihistamines like Benadryl can provide relief from itching and allergic reactions to bites.
Apply hydrocortisone cream
Hydrocortisone cream helps reduce swelling, redness, and itching from mite bites. Apply to affected areas 1-2 times per day.
Take oatmeal baths
Colloidal oatmeal baths help soothe irritated skin suffering from mite bites. The oatmeal has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Wash in hot water
Bathing in hot water helps kill mites on your body. Use water over 130°F if possible for best results.
Disinfect affected areas
Disinfect beds, furniture, and other affected areas by vacuuming and using miticides. This kills lingering mites.
With persistence, these strategies will eradicate bird mites within 7-10 days. The bites and irritation they cause generally go away on their own within 1-2 weeks. Just be diligent and proactive in limiting their bites during this time.
Conclusion
In summary, bird mites can only survive for about 7-10 days without a bird host before dying off. They cannot reproduce, establish colonies, or live long-term on human bodies. Bird mites just temporarily bite humans when seeking a new food source.
Any mite bites or skin irritation generally resolve within 1-2 weeks. While bird mites are a nuisance, they do not transmit infectious diseases or pose major health risks to humans. With some simple precautions, bird mite infestations go away quickly on their own. Just be patient and diligent, and the problem will resolve itself within about 7-10 days!