Environmental strategies for a home infested with bird mites
The following environmental strategies are provided to help people dealing with a home infestation of bird mites, such as D. Gallinae.
Mean Green – MG
TIP: Mean Green Super Strength cleaner degreaser is a gentle but effective miticide when diluted 1:1 (MG / water). It has very little odor and is an inexpensive option for those with bird mites in the home. It can be sprayed on most surfaces in the home and safely used on some parts of the body, and is rated as non – toxic and non – flammable. It can also be put in a tank sprayer for getting along baseboards, door and window trims, etc. For wet mopping floors and walls it can be diluted 1:2 (MG / water).
PRO: Inexpensive, no strong odor.
CON: The gallon size can only be found at hardware stores.
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Pine Oil Cleaner
TIP: Zep Pine Oil cleaner degreaser is an effective miticide when diluted 1:1 (Zep / water) in a spray bottle. It can be sprayed on most surfaces in the home but it is not recommended for use on the skin. It can also be put in a tank sprayer for getting along baseboards, door and window trims, etc. It can also be used for wet mopping floors and walls. (FYI: Pinesol brand no longer has pine oil as an ingredient.)
PRO: Inexpensive, very little odor that quickly dissipates.
CON: This is only available at some hardware stores.
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Lysol Spray Solution
TIP: Lysol disinfectant concentrate is effective to kill the bird mite D. Gallinae at 1:32 (Lysol / water). In a spray bottle for every 32 oz of water add 1 oz (30 ml) of Lysol. It can be used on multiple surfaces to eradicate in the home; such as furniture, vinyl mattress protectors, walls, baseboards, etc. It can be a bit harsh for the skin and it is better just to spray some on a green scrubber pad and then wipe the skin with the pad. For wet mopping walls and floors, 1:64 is sufficient.
PRO: Effective miticide. Inexpensive compared to products such as Sterifab.
CON: Strong ‘hospital’ scent. Can be irritating to breath when spraying large areas and a mask may be needed.
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Para Mothballs
TIP: Para Mothballs (not the old-fashion) are effective at killing bird mites when used in a sealed container or bag for about 12 to 24 hours. Depending on the amount of items and amount of mothballs used. Get some socks and place a handful in each. Use at least two socks per container. Effective for killing them on bed linens, towels, shoes, etc.
PRO: Very effective and fairly inexpensive solution to kill bird mites. Anything that can be properly sealed, even large items in boxes taped shut, can be used to kill bird mites.
CON: Eventually they evaporate and need to be replenished. Mothballs can damage some plastics with direct contact.
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91% Rubbing Alcohol Spray
TIP: 91% alcohol in a spray bottle will kill bird mites on many surfaces. It is ideal when waking up at night and dealing with mites in the bed. Spray the sheets adequately and the alcohol dissipates quickly with very little odor.
PRO: Effective miticide that dries quickly with very little odor.
CON: Not expensive initially, but can be over time. Not safe on some wood finishes and can also damage some plastics. Not really recommended for daily use on the skin. (A better choice would be a quality hand sanitizer with aloe.)
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Cordless Vacuum
TIP:A powerful cordless vacuum is essential in the battle with bird mites. Not only for use at home during the day, but by your bed at night, in the car, etc. A vac highly rated is the Dustbuster 20 Volt Li-Ion vac. It has powerful suction and a long battery life. (Be sure to keep the end duct – taped when not in use.)
PRO: Quality construction. Removable, rechargeable and replaceable battery. Large pleated filter.
CON: A bit more expensive than most and a little heavier and noisier than many others. It takes about 2-3 hours to fully recharge.
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>> Vacuuming Strategy: It is not very realistic to try and vacuum everywhere on a daily basis. Since bird mites are more active at night and prefer to hide in darkened areas during the day, the strategy should be that during daylight hours concentrate on vacuuming the floors, along baseboards, in closets, cupboards, cabinets, along door and window trims, and other hiding places.
Conversely, at night a greater emphasis should be on vacuuming the walls, ceilings, doors, etc; as the mites will be more active then and they prefer to drop down from the ceiling on the host. After use: If it is a bagged vacuum, remove the bag and seal the opening with duct tape and place in the freezer. For bagless vacs remove the canister and place inside a sealed bag and place in the freezer. <<
3X Dryer Sheets
TIP: Downy and Bounce both make a large 3X dryer sheet which can be helpful in keeping the mites away. It doesn’t kill them, the strong scent just chases them away. Place them under your laptop or other electronic devices, or wrap around your cellphone when not in use. In the car you can shove them down into car seats, put in the glove box, etc. You can trim it and place it in underpants if the mites are bothersome in that area. You can also cut them into smaller pieces and place them in cabinets, drawers, etc. (Unfortunately, both brands have recently made their product thinner and not as durable as they were previously, and they will need to be replaced more often).
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Elector PSP
TIP: Elector PSP is rated as an effective miticide when applied at the correct rate. It is a unique product that does not rely on chemicals but uses a special bacteria found in the soil that is not harmful to livestock but will eradicate mites and other pests. Because of the expense there is a smaller bottle of 9 ml that some Agro / Farm supply stores sell; with the instructions that it will make 1 gallon. This is NOT the recommended rate for the bird mite D. Gallinae. According the the company instructions it requires 2 oz (60 ml) per 5 gallons. That translates to 12 ml per gallon for the bird mite D. Gallinae. So a person using this product for bird mites would only be able to make about 3/4 gallon per 9 ml. FYI: This product is very thick and will not easily mix with water, so shake the solution vigorously to mix completely. And SHAKE the spray bottle before each use as it settles quickly. Use distilled (unchlorinated) water so as not to compromise the live bacteria. Use only a heavy duty sprayer as some sprayers will quickly clog after a few uses, especially if used at 20 ml per gallon or more.
It can be sprayed on furniture and most other surfaces. You can also wet mop floors and walls with this product. Use a tank sprayer to apply around baseboards, door and window trims, under shelving, inside closets, etc.
PRO: Water based and can be applied to most any surface. No harsh chemicals, no odors and safe to use around animals.
CON: Product is very expensive initially. Cannot use with a ULV fogger, only low pressure tank sprayer or spray bottle; so it would not be able to get the mites on the ceiling unless using a spray bottle or wet mop. But it can be applied in many other areas where mites tend to hide. Although 12ml per gallon is recommended by Elanco, it may need to be at an even higher rate for those with a long standing bird mite infestation. Please note: this product was not originally developed for indoor home use.
FYI: Elector PSP does not seem to have any residual killing effect after the solution has dried completely; even at the rate of 20 ml per gallon. It is only effective while it is wet. It works slowly compared to other miticides, but is effective when applied adequately. There is also the issue that at some point the mites may become ‘acclimated’ to this product and it could become less effective.
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$$ DOING THE MATH $$
Comparing the long term prices of three products that are often used for bird mites: 91% alcohol, Lysol Concentrate and Elector PSP. They are all beneficial for the ‘long haulers’. The alcohol is ideal for use at night for bed sheets, etc. But it is NOT ideal for use around door and window trim, baseboards, etc; because it can damage wood and painted surfaces. Both Lysol and Elector are water based and can be used in a tank sprayer to get into more areas the mites can hide.
91% Alcohol typically is $4+ per quart, which is $16 per gallon. Lysol Concentrate 12 oz bottle is around $6. When diluted 1:32, it takes 4 oz to make 1 gallon, at a cost of $2 gallon. Elector PSP is $160+ for an 8 oz concentrate, and at 2 oz for 5 gallons to effectively treat D. Gallinae, that is about $8 gallon. Lysol ends up being the cheapest to use long term, followed by Elector, and then the alcohol being the most expensive of the three.
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Mite Carpet Dusting Powder
TIP: Mite dusting powder consisting of OrthoBoric Acid (cockroach powder) and Delta Dust (or Micronized Sulfur) can be used for bird mites that are in carpeting. Mix 2:1 (OBA / DD) in an empty talc bottle, no more than half full. Add a couple of metal washers to prevent clumping and shake the mixture well before puffing it into the air, with the bottle pointed slightly upward. Leave the area undisturbed for about an hour or so afterward. (In a home with young children or pets, a combination of iodized table salt and baking soda can be used instead).
PRO: Long residual effect when applied sufficiently and there is less need to vacuum as often.
CON: May need to wear a breathing mask and goggles when applying over a large area.
Bedroom Strategies
TIP: The bedroom is one of the places that will quickly become infested with bird mites as they are more active at night as they aggressively seek out a host. They will gladly make their home in your mattress and box spring; so consider encasing both of these in zippered vinyl protectors. These are mite-proof and can be sprayed and wiped wipe down daily as needed. A brand highly recommended is the AllerEase with the soft top that won’t radiate body heat the way that others tend to do.
Here are some other strategies that may be helpful when a bedroom is infested with bird mites:
- De-clutter as much as possible
- Place menthol crystals in all the dresser drawers
- Keep all clothes in sealed plastic bags
- Whenever possible, remove the head-board and foot-board from the bed frame, as these can become heavily infested with mites
- Remove clothe drapes and replace with vinyl blinds
- Use two-sided tape (flypaper) and wrap this around all the legs of the bed frame
- Burn pine scented candles or incense in the room
- If possible, sleep with an LED light on in the room because mites prefer it to be dark at night
- When the mites are active in the bed, spray the sheets with 91% alcohol
- Polyester or satin sheets are preferred over cotton and flannel sheets
- Avoid using a comforter or cotton blankets
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Incense Sticks
TIP: Incense can help to keep bird mites away for a short period of time. The smoke and strong scent can deter bird mites that are overhead. This can be beneficial when you are taking a shower / bath and don’t want to deal with mites coming off the ceiling. Also, it can be used at bedtime, mealtime, etc. The effects are short-lived, about 20-30 minutes; depending on the infestation level and how strong the incense is. The less expense incense produces more smoke which is better. Unfortunately, that means more ash too. Stick them in the wax of a wide candle jar as it works better than a regular incense holder for retaining the ash.
PRO: Not very expensive. Can use most anyplace in the home.
CON: The smell. Effects are short-lived. Will need to change the HVAC filter more often.
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A&H Super Soda Wash
TIP: A&H Super Soda Wash (SSW) can be effective for killing bird mites when doing laundry. Use the hottest water possible, add about 1/2 cup of SSW per half load, or 3/4 cup for a full load. Also, add the same amount of bleach for items that can be safely washed with it, or ammonia for other loads (do not mix those together). Add your regular laundry detergent and then the items to be washed. (Put the measured amount of SSW in a small container of hot water and stir until it dissolves prior to adding it on top of the clothes at the beginning of the wash cycle.)
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Laundry Tips:
Some tips for getting bird mites out of infested clothing, towels, bed linens, etc. Most of these suggestions are for ‘top loading’ washers. Hopefully, all infested items have been kept in sealed bags with Para mothballs prior to washing.
- Use the hottest water possible for all items
- Add the laundry soap and bleach (for some items) prior to adding items
- Add the infested items only when the water is high enough that the items can be quickly submerged into the water
- Lastly, add the dissolved A&H Super Soda Wash on top of the clothes at the beginning of the wash cycle
- Let the machine run for a few minutes, and then shut it off for about 20-30 minutes and let the clothes soak in the wash solution
- Make sure all items stay fully submerged in the wash water
- Dry all clothes on the ‘Hot’ cycle whenever possible and store them in clean containers until they are to be used
A ‘Safe’ Place To Hide
TIP: Bird mites, such as D. Gallinae, prefer to hide in a warm and dark area anywhere in the home when not active. With that in mind, providing a ‘safe’ place for them to go can be to your advantage. This should be a place free of any chemicals that would deter them from going back there daily. The heat from a small space heater will draw them there throughout the day. The goal is to vacuum this area daily, but avoid using any chemicals. Use a small heater that does not rely on a fan. You can also set a timer and the heat level can be fairly low. As bird mites can readily detect a difference of only 1 degree in a room.
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Bleach Water Spray Solution
TIP: A bleach / soap / water spray solution can be effective for killing bird mites in the bathroom; which is one of the places mites tend to easily infest because of the warmth and moisture. Items needed:
- Heavy duty spray bottle
- Bleach
- Liquid laundry soap
In a spray bottle add about 20 oz of water, add about 3 oz of ‘disinfectant’ (7.5%) or 4 oz of ‘regular’ (4.5%) strength bleach. And add about 1 oz of liquid laundry soap. Mix completely and spray down tub / shower areas as needed. Also, shower curtains, walls, etc. Safe to use on some parts of the body, but not recommended for daily use as it can inhibit the skin’s natural bacteria.
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Getting Mites Out Of The Car
Getting bird mites out of the car can be tough. Because even when the car is free of mites, if the person comes in again from a home that is infested, the mites can quickly reinfest the car. They can burrow into the headliner, into the carpet, hide up in the dashboard, etc.
Here are a few things that may help:
- De-clutter as much as possible, and remove the floor mats if able to
- Vacuum thoroughly with a car wash vac as it is more powerful than a home vac. Before starting, run the fan on high for a minute or so to get the mites to vacate the vents. Be sure to vacuum up under the dash as much as possible, as well as headliner, etc. Do the carpet last
- Leather upholstery and the dashboard can be sprayed with Lysol 1:32, MG, LATA or other water – based miticides and wiped thoroughly. The Lysol pull-out wipes are ideal for this
- Sprinkle a 50 / 50 mixture of iodized table salt and baking soda into the carpet and onto cloth seats
- 3X dryer sheets can be wedged into the car seats, in the glove box, etc.
- Menthol crystals can be tossed under the car seats, etc. It will not kill them but will force them to vacate the car if a window is left down after these are applied
- Put Para mothballs in socks and toss those under each car seat at the end of the day. Over time the vapors will eventually kill them if the windows remain closed. When using the car the next day place them in a sealed bag so you won’t breath the vapors
- Keep a small spray bottle with a miticide in the car and use it as needed
- Keep a cordless vac in the car to use when needed
Lemon Pledge Spray Polish
TIP: Lemon Pledge furniture polish can be used on all the wood trim in the home, especially along the door and window molding. The scent and polish will keep them away for a period of time, as they often prefer to hide in these wooden crevices. Spray a heavy coat of the polish along the length of the frame and use a finger to rub it into the gaps along the door and window trim and molding. Pledge can also but used on wooden bed frames, dressers, etc. Concentrate the spray towards the corners and other hiding areas.
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FYI: The gap between the wood molding on doors and windows is enough of an area for bird mites to hide. Even if the room is brightly light, they will still take refuge in these darkened crevices. Lemon furniture polish can be sprayed all along these edges to kill and repel mites. This area should also be vacuumed on occasion using the crevice tool.
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Neem Oil 20% Solution
TIP: Neem oil 20% will kill bird mites, such as D. Gallinae. It needs to be of sufficient strength to kill them on contact. The mixed solution should be kept out of direct sunlight and used within a week or so after mixing.
Directions: Add 2.2 oz of Bonide Neem oil to 10 oz of water. Use unchlorinated / distilled water only. This product is 70% neem oil and the rest are surfactants to adequately assimilate the neem oil with water. (If you use a different product, be sure to strain it beforehand as some pure neem oils are unfiltered and may have sediment that could clog a sprayer. And you would need to add a surfactant, such as dish soap.)
Optional but recommended: add about 10 drops of Clove Bud essential oil for every 10 oz of water. Neem oil can be used in a tank sprayer to apply along door and window trims, along baseboards, in closets, cupboard, etc. Use in a regular spray bottle for vinyl mattress protectors, furniture, etc. There is some residual effect for a few days because of the oil base.
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LA’s Totally Awesome Cleaner
TIP: LA’s Totally Awesome (LATA) cleaner degreaser can be an effective miticide. It is non – toxic and non – flammable and safe to use on many different surfaces in the home, such as furniture, vinyl mattress protectors, etc; and can even be used on some parts of the body. It can be diluted 2:1 LATA / water for tank spraying or spray bottles. Can be effective at 1:1 LATA / water for wet mopping floors, walls, etc.
Pro: Inexpensive.
Con: Can be a bit irritating to breath when spraying large areas.
ULV Cold Fogger
TIP: ULV fogging can help to get bird mites off the ceiling and walls for a period of time. A water based miticide such as HOCL, MG, LATA, Dawn, etc. can be used. NOTE: It is more advantageous to fog in the middle of the night than in the day; because bird mites are much more active then. Unfortunately, for most people that is not very practical.
Directions: Shut off the HVAC prior to fogging, and leave it off for about 30 minutes or so afterwards. You will need to wear a quality breathing mask and goggles when fogging with ANY product. Start at the ceiling and then work down the walls. No need to fog the floor as the mist will eventually settle down there. Leave the room undisturbed for about 30 minutes or so when done. Be prepared to vacuum or wipe down flooring afterwards, because the strong air flow will blow the mites around the room.
PRO: Can easily reach many areas, such as ceilings, walls, closets, cupboards, etc.
CON: Because of the particle size, ULV fogging cannot reach into all areas where the bird mite D. Gallinae can hide. (Thermal fogging would be able to, but there are no effective miticides rated for home use.) Many of the effective miticides, such as Onslaught, Elector PSP, et al, are not rated for use in a ULV fogger. As with most treatments, the affects can be short-lived, depending on how heavily infested the home is.
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ULV Fogging Strategy
For those who are able to use a ULV fogger for bird mites; it is important to do other things at the same time, because of how small and tenacious the bird mite D. Gallinae is. This mite is able to hide in places that we would normally not consider and so the following suggestions are provided:
- Before fogging the area, use a tank sprayer (or quality spray bottle) and apply the chosen miticide around all door and window trims in the room. Also along baseboards and other places the fogger cannot reach effectively. (This could be Elector, HOCL, MG, LATA, Lysol 1:32, Neem, Onsalught, Dawn or others.)
- Once completed, initiate ULV fogging starting at the ceiling and slowly working down towards the floor.
- Finally, wet mop hard floors or vacuum the carpeted areas after the solution has dried completely.
- You should plan on repeating these steps in a few days and however long it takes. Vacuuming every day or a mite dusting powder in carpeting is still recommended for areas that remain heavily infested.
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>>Dawn dish soap is a non-toxic solution for ULV fogging that can be used in a home with young children or pets. They would need to stay out of the area for about an hour or so afterwards. As with most miticides, the effects can be short lived, depending on how infested the area is. The solution can also be put into a tank sprayer or spray bottle to apply along baseboards, door and window trim areas, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS: 30 ml (1 oz) Dawn Platinum dish soap with 32 oz water, mix slowly to avoid making suds. Use the ‘largest’ particle size on the fogger. (You will need to wear a mask and goggles when fogging.)<<
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Tank Sprayer
A tank sprayer can be invaluable for applying miticides in many places in the home, car, etc; and more effectively with less effort than using a spray bottle. You can use it along baseboards, door and window trims, corners of closets and cupboards, and other hiding places. Products such as Elector PSP, Onslaught, Neem oil, Pine oil, HOCL, Dawn, MG, LATA, and other solutions can be used with a tank sprayer. (If the product seems to come out excessively, you can take the nozzle tip off and add a bit of foil tape around the opening and then reattach the nozzle.)
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Microfiber Wet Mop
TIP: A Velcro microfiber wet mop can be useful for getting rid of bird mites on many surfaces in the home. Not just on flooring, but also on walls, doors, some ceilings, etc. A long handled pivoting head wet mop can be used with pine oil, Lysol, MG, LATA, Dawn, and other miticide products in areas that would normally be reached only with ULV fogging or vacuuming.
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Menthol Crystals
TIP: Menthol crystals can be an effective strategy to keep mites away in certain enclosed areas. You can toss some into kitchen cabinets, closets, clothes drawers, etc. They produce a strong menthol scent that the mites don’t like. It does not really kill them, just keeps them away from some areas. These are more effective in small enclosed areas in the home or car.
PRO: Fragrant scent and non-toxic.
CON: Somewhat expensive. Eventually they dissolve and need to be replaced.
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Can HOCL Kill Bird Mites?
Hypochlorous Acid (HOCL) is a disinfecting agent made by combining three ingredients (salt, vinegar, and water) in the right proportions, and running an electrical current through them. It then becomes acidic and is an antimicrobial agent effective against bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. It is non-toxic to breath and is safe for use on the skin.
The question is, can it effectively kill bird mites? And the answer seems to be that it possibly can at the stronger level of 500 PPM (parts per million). There are a few who have reported that it does kill bird mites on contact. There currently are no research studies regarding bird mites and HOCL. Many of the lower cost HOCL units available online seem to be able to make up to 200 PPM, which may or may not be of any help with bird mites.
It can be used in a ULV fogger for walls and ceilings, tank sprayer for baseboards, trim, etc, and a spray bottle for many different surfaces, including on parts of the body. For best results it should be made with distilled water, kept in a dark container and stored out of direct light. And it should be used within a few days, as it will not maintain it’s effectiveness very long after that.