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"Another One Bites The Dust" ... Or Do The Dust Mites Bite Me?
Another One Bites The Dust was a great song by the rock group Queen, but not such a great feeling when a human has been bitten by a dust mite.
These little insects can be very irritating for their human hosts. It takes trained personnel in a laboratory setting to identify a mite bite.
Though the technician may be singing another one bites the dust, this individual is concerned with preventing the insect from biting humans.
Diagnosis is sometimes difficult because it is often time hard to distinguish one insect bite from another without the aid of a skin scraping, or even a sampling from your vacuum cleaner.
House Dust Mites come in difference sizes ranging from 1/200 to 1/25 of an inch. Some are not visible while others will appear as tiny black, gray or red oval specks. These insects have four legs and mouth parts grouped together in such a way that they look like they have a head.
The variety of mites called the House Dust Mite does not actually bite humans. Yet, another one bites the dust because the human in question becomes allergic to the mite’s feces which can be found in pillows and mattresses and furniture.
It is believed that 50% of all household have these insects whether they are aware of it or not.
The Northern Fowl mite feed on live birds such as pigeons and poultry but as soon as another one bites the dust, they quickly flock in droves to find a new host. Farmers and other egg handlings are commonly bitten by these little creatures.
Their bite will cause itching and in some cases a skin condition called dermatitis. This particular mite can live as long as three weeks away from a living host.
The Chicken mite will look for a human host after the death of their poultry host. They enter the house and then another one bites the dust, this time a human, who will scratch like crazy.
These mites can live up to a month without finding a new host.
Tropical Rat Mites – will take a blood meal wherever they can get it. Even if the rat host is still alive these insects will feast on humans. Their bite is extremely painful and itchy. The intense scratching will break down the skin cells and cause dermatitis.
The Tropical Rat Mite is visible on walls in basements, cupboards and anywhere rats can hide out. As another one bites the dust, the mite will drop from the host after its meal and can wait for a few days before the next one.
The House Mouse Mite will also feed on humans.
Follicle Mites live in human hair follicles, and sebaceous glands. If the human host is allergic, even though this seldom happens, the symptoms manifest itself in the form of acne or loss of eyelashes.
Another one bites the dust when they come into contact with an infected person who has been bitten by the Itch or Scabies Mite. Normally the hands and wrists are most infected developing pustules that itch and break forming scabs.
The itch is often called the "seven year itch," while the hardening scabs are called scabies.
Straw Itch Mites are common pests during harvest time. Their bite will cause skin dermatitis that appears like a rash and spreads all over the body. In severe causes there is swelling, vomiting, headaches, itching, and fever symptoms as well.
Prevention Insecticides such as products containing deet will keep the insects at bay. Treat infected areas with commercial products such as Baygon, (rat mites). You can also treat infected areas such as bedding and furniture with pyrethrins.
In severe cases you may need to throw out clothing, bedding, and mattresses and/or contact an exterminator. In case of scabies, you must see a doctor.
In either case, if you have been targeted by these insects seek treatment before another bites the dust, and bites you in the process.