Red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

Size:

• Head-body length: 0.75-0.84 mm

Look:

• Legs: Since mites belong to the arachnid family, they have eight legs, but nymphs only have six legs.
• Color: Whitish-grey, reddish after a blood meal

Life cycle:

• Reproduction: After mating in their hiding places, the female lays eggs.
• Development: After about one to two days, the larvae of the bird mite hatch, but they do not yet require blood meals. After another one to two days, they molt into the first nymphal stage. From this point on, they begin to actively suck blood. Over two nymphal stages, they feed regularly on their hosts before developing into adult bird mites after five to ten days.
• Egg laying: ~8 eggs per day
• Lifespan: 8-36 weeks

Habitat:

• It prefers to live in hiding places near the primary host, but can enter the building during renovations or if the primary host is driven away, and take the human as a secondary host.

Nutrition:

• It feeds exclusively on blood and requires several blood meals for its development from larva to adult mite.
• The red poultry mite can survive for months without feeding.

Behave:

• The red poultry mite is nocturnal and seeks out its host. In cases of mass infestation, the mites can stray into buildings through cracks and crevices.

Engraving:

• The red bird mite uses its mouthparts to penetrate the skin and extract blood from its victim.
• Taking blood takes several minutes.

Disease transmission:

• The red poultry mite can cause allergic reactions, severe skin irritation and itching in humans.

Remove pigeon nests:

• Since humans are a secondary host for the red poultry mite, the red poultry mite originates with its primary host. Pigeon nests must be removed whenever possible, in accordance with hunting regulations.

Block access for pigeons:

• Seal attics, ventilation slots and facade openings to prevent pigeons from settling in the building.

Sealing living spaces:

• Seal cracks, crevices and access points to attics to prevent red bird mites from spreading indoors.

Professional pest control in case of infestation

• Chemical and physical measures implemented by experts help to sustainably combat an existing infestation.