Bird Mite (or Rodent Mite)
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (barely visible to the naked eye, appearing as moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, poultry houses, or rodent burrows; they enter homes via vents, chimneys, or cracks when their primary host leaves.
Diet & Feeding
Blood of avian (bird) or rodent hosts; they may bite humans if their primary host is unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
They are highly mobile, active during the day or night depending on the species, and tend to congregate in areas where people rest. They cannot survive long-term or reproduce on human blood alone.
Risks & Benefits
Risks include intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis from bites. They do not typically transmit diseases to humans but cause significant psychological distress and discomfort.
Identified on: 2/13/2026