Bird mites are a common nuisance pest that can invade homes and bite humans, causing irritation, discomfort, and frustration. Getting rid of an infestation of bird mites requires diligent and thorough treatment methods. One option for killing bird mites is to place items in the freezer, using the cold temperatures to eradicate the mites. But how long does it actually take for freezing temperatures to kill bird mites? Below we will explore the answer in detail.
What Are Bird Mites?
Bird mites are tiny external parasites that live on the bodies of birds, feeding on their blood. The two most common species that infest homes are:
- Northern fowl mites – These only infest chickens and other birds. They do not survive well on humans.
- Tropical fowl mites – These can infest humans and survive for longer periods. They will bite humans when their bird hosts leave the nest.
Bird mites are less than 1 mm in length and have eight legs. When viewed through a microscope, the front legs are visibly thicker than the other legs. After feeding on blood, the mites appear red or brown in color.
When bird mites cannot find an avian host, they will seek out humans and bite them to obtain blood meals. The bites usually occur at night and cause small, red, itchy welts on the skin. An infestation can cause significant irritation and discomfort.
Getting rid of bird mites requires removing any bird nests near the home, using chemical treatments, and thorough cleaning and containment methods. The freezer can be used as part of this approach.
Why Use the Freezer?
Using extremely cold temperatures is an effective way to kill many types of pests, including bed bugs, cockroaches, and dust mites. The cold environment is lethal to these organisms. Bird mites are no exception.
Placing items in the freezer causes the mites to freeze and die from exposure. The low temperatures disrupt their bodily functions, ultimately killing them. This method is useful for treating items that cannot be washed, steamed, or treated with chemicals.
Some advantages of using the freezer include:
- It kills mites through exposure without using pesticides.
- The process is chemical-free and non-toxic.
- It can treat items like books, papers, stuffed animals, shoes, and more.
- Freezing kills all life stages of mites, including eggs.
This makes the freezer a convenient option for bird mite treatment. But how long should infested items be kept in the freezer to ensure the mites are eliminated?
How Long Does it Take?
Research shows that bird mites can be effectively killed by exposing them to temperatures of 0°F (-18°C) or below for an extended period. Most experts recommend keeping items in the freezer for a minimum of 4 days to successfully kill all bird mites.
Here is an overview of recommended freezing times:
- At 0°F (-18°C) for 4-7 days.
- At -10°F (-23°C) for 48 hours.
- At -20°F (-29°C) for 24 hours.
Freezing for the minimum 4 days at regular freezer temperature (0°F) will be effective for killing all life stages. Keeping items for longer durations provides added assurance the treatment has worked.
It is important to use an actual freezer, not just a refrigerator freezer compartment. Refrigerators often only cool to around 10-20°F, which may not be cold enough to kill the mites. A deep freezer or chest freezer that maintains a temperature of 0°F or below is ideal.
Steps for Freezer Treatment
Follow these steps for treating bird mite infested items in the freezer:
- Check the temperature of the freezer using an appliance thermometer. It should be at 0°F or lower.
- Place infested items in plastic bags. This contains the mites during freezing.
- Put the bagged items on a tray or cookie sheet to keep them flat.
- Leave the items in the freezer for 4-7 days at a minimum.
- After treatment, remove items and launder, dry, or air them out.
- Discard the plastic bags used in the process.
Make sure not to overload the freezer, as this can raise the temperature and reduce effectiveness. Treat fabrics, stuffing, shoes, books, papers, toys, and other items that cannot be washed or steamed.
If treating furniture or larger items, work in sections and use large plastic bags secured around the infested area with tape. It often takes multiple freeze cycles to fully treat larger objects.
Other Treatment Tips
Using the freezer can provide effective treatment against bird mites. But this method alone may not completely solve an infestation. Here are some other tips for addressing bird mites:
- Remove all bird nests, droppings, and roosting sites near the home.
- Use a chemical spray treatment labeled for bird mites.
- Wash infested fabrics, bedding, and clothes in hot water and dry on high heat.
- Vacuum all rooms thoroughly, disposing the bag outdoors afterwards.
- Seal cracks, crevices, and entry points to prevent re-infestation.
In severe cases, professional pest control may be needed. Fumigation or whole-house heat treatments can fully eliminate bird mites that have spread widely. Prevent future infestations by blocking bird access to roosting areas on or near the home.
Conclusion
Bird mites can be annoying and difficult to control. But using the freezer is an effective, chemical-free way to kill mites on household items and personal belongings. Research shows that exposing mites to temperatures of 0°F or below for 4-7 days will eliminate all life stages.
After freezing treatment, launder, dry, or air out items before bringing them back indoors. Combine freezer use with other control methods like nest removal, vacuuming, sealing cracks, and professional chemical treatment if needed. With diligence, bird mites can successfully be eradicated from a home.