Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae / Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Mesostigmata: Dermanyssidae or Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5mm to 1.0mm (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing like moving dust or pepper)
Natural Habitat
Bird nests, poultry houses, and occasionally indoor spaces near bird nesting sites on windows or vents.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders); they primarily feed on the blood of birds but will bite humans if their host is removed.
Behavior Patterns
They are semi-permanent parasites that leave the host after feeding. They are highly active and exhibit rapid movement when searching for a host, particularly after birds leave a nest.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: In humans, their bites cause intense itching, red welts, and skin irritation (gamasoidosis). They are not known to transmit diseases to humans but can be a major nuisance; benefits: None.
Identified on: 4/4/2026