The internet is full of beautiful chickens in magazine-worthy coops. But let’s be real, chickens are barnyard animals, and barnyard animals can come with some. yucky pests. One of the biggest concerns for backyard chicken keepers? Mites.
I’ve had people ask me, “Can mites from chickens get on humans?” It’s a good question, especially if, like me, you love snuggling your chickens! So let’s dig into what chicken mites are, whether you should worry and how to keep your flock (and yourself) protected.
Chicken mites are a common parasite that can make people feel itchy and uncomfortable when they bite. But how long can these tiny bugs live on people? Here’s what you need to know about chicken mites and how short their lives are when they feed on blood.
What Are Chicken Mites?
Dermanyssus gallinae is the scientific name for chicken mites. They are small parasites that live on the outside of birds and feed on the blood of chickens and other birds. They are very small; their length is less than 1 mm.
Chicken mites hide during the day in the coop’s dark corners, cracks, and crevices where they can nest. They come out at night to eat the blood of chickens that are sleeping. They eat quickly and get full in 20 to 30 minutes. Then they crawl back to their hiding places.
Chicken mites can survive for long periods between feeds – around 4 to 12 months if needed. However, they require regular blood meals to fuel their metabolism, development, and reproduction.
Why Do Chicken Mites Bite Humans?
Chicken mites need blood from chickens to live and complete their life cycle. If their normal hosts, chickens, aren’t around, the mites will bite other animals, even people, when they can.
This often happens when an infested chicken coop is cleaned out or chickens are removed. The mites, desperate for a blood meal, will disperse to find other sources of food. If humans are present, some mites may end up biting them.
So in most cases, humans are just incidental opportunistic hosts. The mites cannot live solely on human blood. But they can still cause irritation before they die out.
Can Chicken Mites Survive on Humans?
The short answer is no, chicken mites cannot live long-term or reproduce on human blood.
The mites are able to bite and feed on humans. But certain components found in avian blood are needed for their metabolism and reproduction.
Without access to chickens or other birds, most chicken mites will die after about 5-7 days without a blood meal. The mites may be able to survive slightly longer at cooler temperatures.
So individual mites can bite and irritate humans for several days. But they cannot complete their life cycles or maintain populations by feeding on human blood alone.
Do Chicken Mites Bite Humans?
Yes, chicken mites will readily bite humans if they cannot find a bird to feed on. The bites often occur at night since the mites are nocturnal.
Chicken mite bites on humans result in small, red, raised bumps that cause severe itching. The bites usually appear in groups or clusters. Other symptoms include:
- Skin irritation, inflammation, and redness around the bite marks
- A crawling or pin-prick sensation on the skin
- Intense itching, which can be severe
- Development of infection due to excessive scratching
The bites resemble other insect bites and can be mistaken for bed bug bites. Carefully inspecting the skin and observing the mites can help confirm chicken mites as the cause.
How to Get Rid of Chicken Mites on Humans
Since chicken mites only persist on human hosts for about 5-7 days, the bites will eventually resolve on their own. But to alleviate itching and discomfort, follow these tips:
- Cleanse the bitten skin thoroughly with soap and water to remove mites.
- Apply topical hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation and itching.
- Take oral antihistamines, such as Benadryl, to control severe itching.
- Watch for signs of skin infection and use antibiotic ointment if needed.
- Eliminate the source of mites by treating chickens and coops. Vacuum and clean your home thoroughly.
See a doctor if bites become infected or you experience an adverse reaction. Overall, the bites should fade over a week once the mites die off.
How Long Do Chicken Mites Live in the Environment?
When living on birds, the chicken mite lifespan is about 7-10 days from egg to adult. If needed, adult mites can survive 2-3 months without a blood meal.
However, chicken mites can persist in the environment much longer by hiding in nooks and crannies when hosts aren’t available. In poultry houses, the mites can survive for 4-6 months this way.
That’s why it’s essential to fully clean and disinfect a chicken coop that has been infested. Mites can survive a very long time in vacant coops waiting for new hosts.
FAQs About Chicken Mites on Humans
Can chicken mites reproduce on humans?
No, chicken mites cannot reproduce or multiply using human blood alone. They need avian blood to complete their lifecycle. Only a few mites may bite humans before dying out.
How do you know if you have chicken mites?
Itchy red bites, often in clusters, indicate chicken mites may have fed on you. Observing the tiny crawling mites provides confirmation. Roosters may show signs of damaged feathers.
Do chicken mites spread disease?
There is no evidence chicken mites transmit infectious diseases to humans. The main concern is the itching and discomfort from bites.
Where on the body do chicken mites bite?
Chicken mites often bite exposed skin on the face, neck, hands, arms, and feet. But they can bite anywhere on the body.
Can chicken mites infest my home?
A few mites may get inside a home near an infested coop. But they cannot reproduce without bird hosts and will die out within about a week indoors.
How do I prevent chicken mite bites?
Avoid handling infested birds. Wear protective clothing, shower immediately, and wash clothes after contacting chickens with mites. Treat your flock and coop to eliminate the mites.
The Bottom Line
While chicken mites can survive a few days and cause irritating bites on humans, they cannot live for extended periods or reproduce without the blood of birds. Maintaining mite-free chickens and coops is key to preventing human bites. With proper treatment of an infestation, the mites are quickly eliminated, resolving any bites.
Can Mites Spread to Other Animals?
Yes. While they don’t typically bother humans, mites can transfer between different animals. It’s even more important to keep mites from spreading if you have pets or raise different kinds of birds.
Can Chicken Mites Live on Humans?
Short answer: not really. Most mites that affect chickens are host-specific, meaning they prefer birds over people. However, if you’ve touched infected birds or been in a dirty coop, you might get mite bites, skin irritation, or mild allergic reactions.
They don’t usually stay on people for a long time, but they can get on your clothes and make you itch or get red bumps.