What are Bird mites?
Often incorrectly called “bird lice”, bird mites are found all over Australia. As their name suggests these creatures live and feed mostly on birds and can also live within their nests. They are found in moist or humid conditions throughout Australia, often found either on birds or in bird nesting materials during spring and early summer. Bird mites can grow up to about 2mm in length. With four pairs of legs and no antennae, adult bird mites are mostly transparent, and only gain a black or red colour after they have fed on blood. Naturally, bird mites tend to be most active during bird nesting periods. Aggressive and parasitic, bird-mites require blood to reproduce. Multiplying quickly, a bird-mite infestation can often leave people feeling overwhelmed. How do bird mites affect people? People are most commonly exposed to bird mites when birds enter office blocks or homes to nest. Once these birds and their chicks leave or die, the remaining mites (often tens of thousands) leave the nes
