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Update as at March 2022. Yes, I still have the bird mite infestation despite doing everything possible to get rid of it, apart from burning the house down!!
At the moment it is the hottest and most humid summer we have had and the mites love to come out and play. Its a never ending battle. I was sick of getting pest control who took my money and it did nothing in the end. I would love to purchase some decent acaricide/miticide but cannot get it in my country. I resorted to taking ivermectin and making some ivermectin lotion which has helped but not got rid. They are reproducing faster than I can kill them. I did fumigate recently but I wanted to double the dose and my partner said to follow the instructions. This time, I will do it my way. The product did help but I am going to double dose and see what happens. This is becoming a long term, very expensive exercise in bug control. Nothing has seemed to work.Update to the bird mite invasion saga. It sure is one. Thanks to all those who have replied to me. Just to say we went away on holiday for 13 days. In that time, the bites stopped within 2 days (I carried a few with me on my clothes, obviously) and the rash – bites healed up. On return, within 2 days, they were back on me, worse than before. Tomorrow, the pest control guy is coming to do the house again. This time with a fogger. I have vaccumed every day and its becoming a chore with the extra washing etc. I am getting so tired. The dermatologist agreed it was likely to be birdmite causing the issue. Her solution – prescribed me hydrocortisone with menthol. However, it doesn’t stop the little shits from attacking me at will! Starts off in the late afternoon and I have to take and antihistamine and a sleeping tab to stave off the depression that is looming. The Docs wouldn’t even give me ivomec due to its toxicity. On Friday, I had a big meltdown due to it was getting to me. I just didn’t want to be at home here. Its been over 8 months since they started insidiously. My husband has finally been getting the crawly sensation and the pricks that come with it all. Finally, he can now understand what it has been like for me. My back is covered with bites. Not a normal rash. It is worse than it was before. I reckon they are living in the carpet and my new lounge suite of a year ago. I sat in the plastic chairs to watch TV in the lounge, but no, they were still there!! I am off to vaccum again. I will let you know how I am getting on after the next couple of days. Commiserations with all those who have had bird hell like me.
Susan, I tried all sorts of remedies – homemade, store bought, nothing worked so I ended up calling in the specialists. Did not cost me the earth and the job got done. The little b’s are horrendous, never seen anything like it. I found the pest controller by looking at reviews. So glad I did. Even the doctors hadn’t come across this scenario before.
Hi Susan
Thank you for replying to me.
Finally, yes, we did get the pest control guy in. Very helpful and did the whole house. No more bites. Definitely worked! The rosella gets the ivomec treatment a bit more often as needed too. Will pay particular attention in summer. We have sparrows around the house which I suspect visit the neighbours’ chooks up the road. There are 2 lots of chook places just up the road. I think that is how Rosie got the mites as it never happened before. I have no definite way or proving this of course. Even though he couldn’t find definite proof of the little mites, not using a microscope, he still did the job. And didn’t cost the earth either. He used extra high strength insecticide which the public can’t get through places like Mitre 10Mega or Bunnings outlets. Don’t waste your money on self-help when it comes to fleas, bird mites, in particular and the like.Just an addition to my story. My first step after thorough cleaning the whole house was to spray ripcord plus all over the furniture and carpet. Didn’t work. Tried flea bombing the house with more than recommended cans and set off. Six hours later came in and removed cans and waited for the next week. Thought, well if it kills fleas will kill mites. Wrong! Nada!
I have tried limonene and tried oil of lavender spray on my skin. No they still bite me and now during the day. Today I sprayed myself with ripcord and upped the ante. No, they still bite like mad. Today, I contacted a Pest Control Operator (who had good writeups) and the earliest he will come out early next week sometime. I have rung different sellers of bugspray and it comes down to this: get in pest control. I have vacummed and washed and its getting worse. By the way I have also sprayed my furniture with Expra Stop Spiders (stinks for awhile) No joy there and sprayed myself with Off! Tropical strength and they still bite. I am at my wits end. Also, they are now in my car and my husband’s van (as I discovered yesterday). Roll on the exterminator I say. Can’t wait! PS: I have also been treating my bird with ivomectin every week too from instructions by vet, and scrubbed her cage and aviary with bleach and rinsed well and dried before putting her in. I would say there’s not a whole lot more I can do.
