Bird Mite

Natural Habitat

Bird nests, poultry coops, sometimes infest human dwellings after birds leave (e.g., from attics, chimneys).

Diet & Feeding

Blood of birds (primarily chickens and wild birds). They will bite humans if their primary hosts are unavailable.

Behavior Patterns

Nocturnal feeders, hiding in cracks and crevices during the day. They have a rapid life cycle (about 7 days from egg to adult) and can survive for several months without a blood meal. They are highly motile.

Risks & Benefits

Potential risks include irritating bites on humans (causing itching, skin irritation similar to mosquito bites), and they can transmit diseases among birds, leading to stress, anemia, and reduced egg production in poultry. No known benefits to humans or ecosystems in the context of infestation.

Identified on: 9/10/2025