Bird Mite
Scientific Name: Dermanyssus gallinae / Ornithonyssus sylviarum
Order & Family: Order: Mesostigmata; Family: Dermanyssidae or Macronyssidae
Size: 0.5 mm to 1 mm (extremely small, resembling a moving speck of dust)
Natural Habitat
Found near bird nests (attics, eaves, window ledges) or on poultry; they enter homes looking for a host if the bird host leaves.
Diet & Feeding
Strictly blood-feeding; they primarily parasitize birds but will bite humans and pets if bird hosts are unavailable.
Behavior Patterns
Active mainly at night; they are highly mobile and can crawl long distances from a nest into living spaces. They cannot survive long-term or reproduce on human blood.
Risks & Benefits
Risks: Their bites cause intense itching, red welts, and skin irritation. Benefits: None; they are considered a domestic pest when they enter human dwellings.
Identified on: 2/13/2026