Bird Mite (or Rodent Mite)
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus spp. (e.g., Ornithonyssus bursa) or Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae or Dermanyssidae
Size: Very small, approximately 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm (barely visible to the naked eye; looks like a moving speck of pepper or dust).
Natural Habitat
Primarily found in bird nests (pigeons, starlings, poultry) or rodent nests. They migrate into human dwellings (bedrooms, living areas) through vents and windows when their primary hosts die or leave the nest.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (feeds on blood). They prefer birds or rodents but will bite wandering humans in search of a meal, though they cannot reproduce on human blood.
Behavior Patterns
These mites are active crawlers and move relatively quickly for their size. They are often seen as tiny white (unfed) or reddish/grey (fed) specks moving across bedding, walls, or skin. They test-bite humans aggressively when searching for a host.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: They are a significant nuisance pest to humans, causing intense itching, prickly sensations, and dermatitis (skin irritation/rashes). They do not typically transmit diseases to humans but infestations can be stressful and difficult to eradicate without removing the source nest. Benefits: None.
Identified on: 2/6/2026