MITES

Poultry Mites
Poultry mites are a particular problem in poultry units but are often found in birds nests. When the chicks are in the nest the population will increase. When the birds leave the nest the mites no longer have a food supply (blood) and will find their way into buildings and attack the first warm blooded host it finds (often humans).

Storage Mites
Storage mites are many and varied. They occur frequently in grain stores, animal feed, flour mills, and cheese stores. They are also a pest in the confectionary industry infesting sweet factories and bakeries. Products contaminated by mites will be rendered unusable.

House Dust Mite
The house dust mite has been implicated in causing dermatitis, rhinitis, respiratory tract irratation and intestinal upsets. They are also implicated in the cause of asthma. House dust mites feed on skin scales which are constantly shed from the human body and accumulate in beds and furniture.

Control:
Control is achieved by a combination of reducing humidity, treatment with an acaricide and in the case of house dust mites, extensive vacuuming and cleaning.