Itch Mites

[Bandit]

I have about 10 bites so far all from last week working outside. This little microscopic bug is new to me as I just learned about it last year when I got a rash of bites all over me in July & August. Depending on where you live the time of appearance might vary.


They are found in Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky.




an old article from Nebraska:

http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/ItchMites.shtml

Identifying the Problem:

The scenario from most victims was similar. They did not see any insects or spiders and didn't feel being bitten. Some people complained about a few bites, but others reported dozens of bites -- even hundreds of bites. When asked about the types of activities people were involved in prior to noticing the bites, most reported spending time outdoors in their backyard, at a picnic or gardening the day before the bites appeared. A few callers indicated they spent little time outdoors but slept near a window. These mystery bites were so itchy that many people were unable to sleep.

Has anyone had them? You will itch like crazy, worse than a mosquito but not as bad as poison ivy

It will look like a tiny sliver/bee sting in the middle like something stuck in your skin with a dime size red circle welt around it & it will itch like crazy. Last year they came in July & August & this is the second year I have heard of them & is being labled as a new species of mites in the article from 2004.

A preventive measure suggestion & other articles are appreciated...as I still plan on being outside just not as often until they end.

[Lacy]

Sounds like something we have here in TX called chiggers.. Not sure if its the same thing though. I have been bitten by those things before and let me tell ya... they are miserable !!!!

[Minnymouth]

Yep, sounds like what we call "chiggers" here in Ky too......

Spray your yard in June, and August and keep the grass cut and you will eliminate them. They also get on your pets also, and you think they have a
"hot spot" and its a "chigger" bite.

Boy, do they itch!!!!!!!

A dab of fingernail polish works great on them, it smothers them. They get underneath the skin and then you "scratch" till you have a bad sore involved.

Real common in hot weather, and in woods and high grass.

[Bandit]

Sounds like something we have here in TX called chiggers.. Not sure if its the same thing though. I have been bitten by those things before and let me tell ya... they are miserable !!!!

I found five more on my neck. I have started naming them as pets since they have taken a new home in my skin.

all that because I enjoyed watching the lightening bugs so much.

[Bandit]

Yep, sounds like what we call "chiggers" here in Ky too......

Spray your yard in June, and August and keep the grass cut and you will eliminate them. They also get on your pets also, and you think they have a
"hot spot" and its a "chigger" bite.

Boy, do they itch!!!!!!!

A dab of fingernail polish works great on them, it smothers them. They get underneath the skin and then you "scratch" till you have a bad sore involved.

Real common in hot weather, and in woods and high grass.

What color polish is best? Should I get red or pink fingernail polish?

One of them is the size of a quarter because I keep scratching it & the scab forms...I scratch it off...new scab...scratch it off. Kind of like chicken pox. I am going to have to get a space suit with oxygen tank the next time I mow the grass or watch ligthening bugs at night.

Here is exactly what it looks like on skin:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1316/1122595895_3b08558d99.jpg%3Fv%3D0&imgrefurl=http://flickr.com/photos/73059802%40N00/1122595895/&h=375&w=500&sz=112&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=zh9Xh6bk-ebHiM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ditchs%2Bmites%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

16,000 itch mites on one oak leaf?!

I dont understand how I could have gone my whole life & never heard of such a thing or experienced them until now.

[AngelinaCatHub]

Yes they are chiggers or called red bugs in some places. Here in FL we have a little gnat called "no-see-em's". They are very small regarding the normal gnat that does not bite but just gets into your ears and nose. They bite hard and fast and there is no way to slap them. They make the same little sore place like chiggers. They go away in warmer weather. 'Hub

[Lacy]

I found five more on my neck. I have started naming them as pets since they have taken a new home in my skin.

all that because I enjoyed watching the lightening bugs so much.

Well those things sure do seem to multiply for sure ! .. And if you enjoy watching the lighting bugs try staying out of high grass if possible.



Also on your question on what color polish to use.. I would say clear would be good that way you dont have anyone staring at ya having pink polish on. ... You can try it maybe it will work. I tried it but didn't help any with mine.

[Bandit]

Yes they are chiggers or called red bugs in some places. Here in FL we have a little gnat called "no-see-em's". They are very small regarding the normal gnat that does not bite but just gets into your ears and nose. They bite hard and fast and there is no way to slap them. They make the same little sore place like chiggers. They go away in warmer weather. 'Hub

One thing I picked up on from reading is the red ones like you mention supossedly are in the grass & you pick them up on ankles feet & legs but are the same family. the ones I saw here under microscope are more white or gray in color & are air born until they find something to eat, like skin or oak leaves.

The ones here will stay for about 4 to 6 weeks then die off.
If one of these bugs go up my nose or ears that would be very painful so I hope they don't. Could explain why I see some of the roofers & landscapers wearing masks to cover their face all of the sudden.

Well those things sure do seem to multiply for sure ! .. And if you enjoy watching the lighting bugs try staying out of high grass if possible.



Also on your question on what color polish to use.. I would say clear would be good that way you dont have anyone staring at ya having pink polish on. ... You can try it maybe it will work. I tried it but didn't help any with mine.

I was right in the woods, the height of vegetation of the back yard where the animals have their babies & there are millions upon millions of lightning bugs this year. Better than a fireworks show & that is when I got them. It is better there because of the darkness.

My neighbor has them too now & is saying something with deet will detour them. I also read that you can kill a lot of them if you soak or shower in a very hot bath after being exposed. It might work for some mites but not for all. & that it helps to change your outdoor gardening or activity clothes immediately because of course they go right thru clothes to reach skin.

[wooisme]

We had itch mites that the cats brought in. we would go to bed and wake up with these itchy red bumps. Then my husband looked at our sheets and you may want to do the same. We saw these tiny little black specs, almost like pepper specks and they don't move but they are there. We didn't think anything of it and just brushed them off. Then one day I took a piece of toilet paper and wet it just a bit and went to one of those specks and touched it with the wet paper to pick it up and i went to the window where i could see really good and that thing MOVED! yes it MOVED and they are mites.

The are BIRD mites and very hard to get rid of. I did a search on the internet ..i think it was kleen green or something like that and i spray down the sheets and everything all the time because they come in spring time when the birds hatch...

so if anyone wants to send me a private message about it i can most certainly give you the name of the company so you can by the stuff, it's safe for the enviornment and you can spray it onyour pet and actually take a bath in the stuff.

[Bandit]

I know deet is not safe but I put some on tonight at my neighbors house as we built a fire & shot off some mortars.

These things only last for about a month to 6 weeks & then they stop for the year. I suppose if I had to work in them, with they way they are swarming now, I would be investing in something to keep them off me. I could be wrong but there is something about them being more active at nightfall.

People just being aware fo the season of these things should help prepare to not get them so bad. Though this is only the second year they have been here so I bet a lot of people dont know yet. I think about 100 people were hospitalized here last year & they did get very sick from the bites but most people have a good tolerance for them.

They might be on the sheets because the night I got them I went to bed in the same clothes. Thanks for the note, wooisme, I will get the old sheets tonight right away. I just figured what I got was what I got.

I stopped my three dogs from going out into the woods part & now they will just stay by the house until August. They dont seem to be itching at all...just like snuggling a lot

The are BIRD mites and very hard to get rid of. I did a search on the internet ..i think it was kleen green or something like that and i spray down the sheets and everything all the time because they come in spring time when the birds hatch...

I bet it is. I see the wild animals & birds itching themselves & they look miserable. Hey at least I have not seen any of those army bees this year. For a few years I found several nests in the goround & people were being attacked constantly, but I killed off all the nests as I watched them to find the nests...then the skunks got the honey. I am not sure which is worse because these mites can come through the screens & most people think all bugs can't come inside, but these mites can!!