Bird Mites
Size, Characteristics, and Habitat
Physical Characteristics
Bird mites are extremely small pests, with adults measuring less than 1 millimeter (mm) in length.
Color: White or grayish with an oval-shaped body
Body: Hairy back
Color Change: After feeding, bird mites may develop a reddish hue
Legs: 8
Antennae: None
Habitat and Activity
Bird mites prefer warm climates and are most active during spring and early summer.
They originate from birds such as:
Chickens
Pigeons
Sparrows
Starlings
These mites commonly live in or near bird nests and may migrate indoors when nests are abandoned.
Feeding Habits and Life Cycle
Bird mites live on and feed exclusively on the blood of birds. Without access to bird blood, they cannot complete their life cycle.
Development from egg → larva → nymph → adult can occur in about one week
Some bird mites die within 7 days, while others can survive for several weeks under favorable conditions