Bird Mite (or Rodent Mite)
Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus sylviarum / Dermanyssus gallinae
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Macronyssidae / Dermanyssidae
Size: 0.5 to 1.0 mm (hardly visible to the naked eye, appearing as moving specks)
Natural Habitat
Found in bird nests, poultry houses, or near rodent infestations; they enter homes through vents, chimneys, or window frames.
Diet & Feeding
Hematophagous (blood-feeders); they primarily feed on the blood of birds or rodents but will bite humans if their primary host is removed.
Behavior Patterns
Active mostly at night; they crawl rapidly and can survive for several weeks without a host. They do not live on humans but will bite when 'searching' for a new host.
Risks & Benefits
They cause intense itching, skin irritation, and dermatitis in humans. They do not transmit diseases to humans but are significant pests in the poultry industry.
Identified on: 6/20/2026