Bird mite / Rodent mite

Scientific Name: Ornithonyssus spp. / Liponyssoides sanguineus

Order & Family: Mesostigmata (Order) / Macronyssidae (Family) for Ornithonyssus spp.; Dermanyssidae (Family) for Liponyssoides sanguineus

Size: Approximately 0.5 - 1 mm (adults)

Bird mite / Rodent mite

Natural Habitat

Nests and bodies of birds and rodents; infest homes when hosts leave or die. Can be found in bedding, furniture, and cracks/crevices.

Diet & Feeding

Blood of birds and rodents. When primary hosts are unavailable, they may bite humans.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders. Migrate from host nests into living spaces, often in large numbers, seeking new hosts. Bites can cause irritation and dermatitis in humans.

Risks & Benefits

Risks: Can cause irritating bites, dermatitis, and sleeplessness in humans. While generally not transmitting diseases to humans directly, they are a nuisance pest. Benefits: None to humans, but play a role in their natural ecosystem as parasites of birds and rodents.

Identified on: 9/20/2025