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Photo#715248
Possible Bird Mite? - Ornithonyssus

Possible Bird Mite? - Ornithonyssus
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
October 17, 2012
Size: Very small
We have been getting bitten in our apartment on and off for several months. At first we thought the bugs were from a ficus plant, so we removed all of our plants. The plants did indeed have bugs but we are unsure if they were the same as the specimen in the photograph. This specimen was retrieved from the wall along with several others. The picture was taken using a small celestron microscope at 150x magnification.

I am guessing this is a bird mite but I am not 100% certain. If someone could identify it possible we will be more certain as to how to treat our apartment. Not sure where they are coming from. The bites are mostly along pant lines, cuffs etc.

Images of this individual: tag all
Possible Bird Mite? - Ornithonyssus Possible Bird Mite? - Ornithonyssus

Moved
Moved from Mites and Ticks.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

bird mites
it does look like one of the bird bites, but confirmatory ID usually requires examination of structures best seen under a light microscope.

bird mites will feed on people in the absence of their host (often after removal of nests, migratory habits of the bird host, etc). They cannot survive on human blood and will eventually die. They are not vectors of disease in humans.

 
Bird mites
Thanks Blaine. We have had bites on and off since February. At first we thought it was bed bugs and had the place inspected. Then they went away somewhat, then when they came back we figured they were mosquitoes. I am guessing if they can't live on us that these mites are coming from somewhere in the building, likely the roof. We have heard 'critters' up there before so perhaps they are finding a way into our apartment? They have been with us for quite some time it now appears, but their severity or numbers seem to undulate. I could find someone that could get a very high power photo if that would make any difference. Someone I know has a good quality microscope.

 
Collect some specimens?
and send to someone like Blaine to ID, not to volunteer his time. Just a thought :)

 
Alan
I hope you don't mind, but I enhanced and cropped your images to just the mite. Hopefully, a specialist will be better able to determine ID. BTW welcome to BugGuide.
Robert