Bird Mite
Dermanyssus gallinae
Appearance
- 0.6 – 0.7mm long.
- Soft yellow/green body and eight legs.
- When fully fed the body appears bright red.
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult in 7 days (under favourable conditions).
- Adult lives approximately 90 days.
Habits
- Feed on birds blood.
- Favours warm, moist conditions.
- Common in birds nests and poultry houses.
- Capable of reducing bird egg–laying efficiency. In severe cases it may kill young, sick or old birds.
- In homes, bird mites may bite people in search of food.