Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae or poultry red mites) are tiny external parasites that usually infest birds. These pests readily bite humans when their preferred hosts, such as chickens, are unavailable or when an infestation becomes severe, forcing them to seek alternative blood meals. The resulting skin irritation requires action. Addressing a chicken mite problem requires a comprehensive strategy that targets the mites on your body, within your home, and at their source.
Understanding the Mite Crossover
The chicken mite is a small arachnid, typically measuring less than a millimeter in length when unfed, appearing gray or white. Once they have taken a blood meal, they become engorged and turn a distinct reddish-brown color, which is why they are often called red mites. These mites are nocturnal feeders, moving onto their bird hosts at night and retreating to cracks and crevices in the coop during the day to digest and lay eggs.
The life cycle is rapid, potentially completing in as little as seven days under optimal warm and humid conditions, leading to swift population growth. Mites bite humans not because they are preferred hosts, but as a desperate measure when the primary bird host has been removed or the mite population is so large that it spills over into the surrounding environment. They are temporary visitors to human skin, unlike scabies mites, and do not burrow beneath the surface.
Treating Symptoms on Human Skin
Immediate attention is necessary to remove any clinging mites and alleviate itching. Begin by taking a warm shower using soap, gently scrubbing the skin to wash away the pests. This physical removal step stops further bites from mites that may be on your body or clothing.
To manage the subsequent irritation, which often manifests as small, red, clustered bumps known as gamasoidosis or dermanyssosis, over-the-counter treatments can provide relief. Applying a low-strength hydrocortisone cream can help reduce inflammation and control the itching sensation. Oral antihistamines are also helpful to decrease the body’s allergic reaction and lessen the urge to scratch, which can prevent secondary skin infections.
Eliminating Mites from the Home Environment
Mites often migrate from the coop into the house, hiding in carpets, bedding, and furniture. Aggressive environmental cleaning is necessary to break this cycle. All bedding, clothing, and washable textiles that contacted the mites should be laundered using the highest heat setting possible for eradication.
Thorough vacuuming of floors, carpets, and upholstered furniture removes mites hiding in fibers and cracks. Immediately after vacuuming, the bag or canister contents must be sealed in a plastic bag and discarded outside the home to prevent re-infestation. For persistent indoor issues, applying food-grade diatomaceous earth to crevices can desiccate the mites, though use caution to avoid inhalation.
Eradicating the Poultry Source (Coop and Birds)
Any relief gained indoors will be short-lived if the primary source of the infestation, the chicken coop, is not addressed. The birds must be treated using specific insecticides labeled as safe for poultry, such as dusts or sprays applied directly to the birds’ vent and underwing areas. Treatments containing spinosad are often used because they are effective against mites and have no egg withdrawal period.
The coop structure requires deep cleaning, starting with the removal and disposal of all bedding and nesting materials, which should be sealed and discarded far from the premises. Follow this by pressure-washing or scrubbing the coop interior, paying attention to cracks, crevices, and roosting perches where mites congregate. After cleaning, apply a residual treatment, such as a labeled insecticide spray or dusting with diatomaceous earth, to the entire structure to prevent rapid re-infestation.