Our trips to the homestead can be brutal in the late summer months. It never fails that I get eaten up by what I have called chiggers for many years. However the locals, all say the same thing, likely I was bitten by turkey mites. In all the places I have lived, I had never heard of turkeys mites and really thought that it was just local terminology. However, I’ve reached the point where I need to know, what exactly finds me so irresistible and how can I fight back! Chiggers versus turkey mites, what is the difference?
Technically chiggers are not insects at all but are arachnids, in the same family as spiders and ticks. They are better known as mites. While chiggers prefer tall grass-like fields and wooded areas they can also be found in your yard. They are most active in the warmer months of the year when temperatures reach 77 to 86 degrees. Fortunately, the chigger larvae die as temperatures drop below 42 degrees.
Adult chiggers are extremely tiny, only about 1/60th of an inch in size. Adult chiggers are not dangerous to humans, it is the larvae that cause such irritation. The larvae are even more tiny, only about 1/150th of an inch. They are practically invisible to the naked eye, however since they are typically clustered in large numbers, they may appear as a tiny red dot on the skin.
Chiggers prefer brushy and grassy areas that stay moist during the day. The larvae can’t fly, so they remain clustered together waiting for passing hosts. The larvae are strictly parasitic, seeking hosts where they can feed.
If you spend time around poultry, you may have encountered the nuisance of turkey mites. But what exactly are these tiny pests? Despite their name, turkey mites are not exclusive to turkeys and can be found on other types of domestic fowl as well.
Read on for a deep dive into the life cycle behavior hosts, and identification of turkey mites, plus tips for getting rid of them.
A Brief Overview
Turkey mites, scientifically known as Dermanyssus gallinae, are a species of mite that tends to infest domesticated birds like chickens, turkeys, and pigeons They can spread to humans or other animals in close contact with infested birds.
Turkey mites are extremely small, usually measuring less than 1/8 inch long. They have 8 legs and oval-shaped bodies. These mites are parasites that feed on the blood of birds and other hosts. An infestation can cause significant discomfort, health issues, and economic losses for poultry operations.
The Intriguing Life Cycle of Turkey Mites
To understand the impact of turkey mites, it helps to look closely at their life cycle:
-
Eggs – Female mites lay eggs in secluded, humid areas in bird coops and nests. The eggs hatch into larvae.
-
Larval stage – The six-legged larvae emerge very hungry and actively seek out hosts to feed on. They prefer the blood of birds.
-
Nymph stage – After feeding, the larva molts into an eight-legged nymph. The nymph feeds again to gather energy for the next transition.
-
Adult – After one more feed, the nymph molts again and becomes a mature, egg-laying adult mite. The cycle then repeats.
The entire life cycle from egg to adult takes around 7 days to complete. Left unchecked, mite populations can explode exponentially.
Behavior and Effects of Turkey Mites
Turkey mites exhibit some key behaviors:
-
Feed on the blood of birds and other hosts like rodents, causing discomfort, stress, and even anemia in heavy infestations.
-
Mostly active at night when hosts are roosting. They hide in cracks and crevices by day.
-
Can survive for weeks without feeding by going dormant. This allows populations to persist even if hosts die off.
-
Can spread rapidly between hosts and bird coops via phoresy (hitching a ride on animals).
-
Bite humans if their preferred bird hosts are unavailable, causing severe itching.
In poultry, high mite levels can cause reduced egg production, loss of appetite, lethargy, and even death. This makes turkey mite control crucial for bird health and farm productivity.
Identifying Turkey Mites
Turkey mites can be difficult to spot due to their extremely small size. Some identifying features include:
-
Tiny oval-shaped bodies, usually less than 1/8 inch long
-
Eight legs as adults, six legs as larvae
-
Reddish-brown to grayish-black in color
-
Move quickly, can crawl up vertical surfaces
-
Tend to congregate in groups in hiding spots
-
Leave small red bites that cause severe itching on humans
-
Cause skin irritation, bald spots, and scabs on infested birds
Thoroughly checking a bird’s vent area, under wings, and around nests may reveal groups of mites. Roost areas may have visible dark specks of dried blood from mite feedings. The mites themselves are tough to see without magnification.
Common Hosts of Turkey Mites
Although called turkey mites, these pests will feed on a variety of hosts. Common natural hosts include:
- Chickens
- Turkeys
- Pigeons
- Ducks
- Geese
- Caged pet birds
Rodents like mice and rats can also carry mites between pens and act as alternative blood meal sources. Humans usually only suffer bites if bird hosts die off and the mites seek new feeding opportunities.
Overall, any warm-blooded animal living near an infested coop or loft can fall victim to turkey mites. Their adaptability allows them to thrive in varied environments where domestic fowl are present.
Prevention and Control of Turkey Mites
The key to turkey mite management is focusing on prevention:
-
Keep coops clean and dry – mites thrive on moisture, dust, and litter
-
Use perches and smooth flooring that doesn’t harbor mites
-
Remove old nests promptly
-
Practice good biosecurity between flocks and coops
-
Check new birds for mites during quarantine
-
Follow an integrated pest management plan
-
Apply veterinary-approved miticides if infestation occurs
With vigilant prevention and monitoring, turkey mite populations can be kept at bay. But these resilient pests reproduce rapidly, making control difficult once established. Contacting a qualified pest management professional is advisable if mites persist after thorough biosecurity and cleaning measures.
The Bottom Line
Turkey mites are a challenging problem for backyard and commercial poultry flocks. Understanding their biology and behaviors is key to preventing heavy infestations. While tiny, turkey mites can have a huge detrimental impact on bird health and productivity if left unchecked. Staying vigilant for these poultry pests is essential for flock health.
Identifying a Chigger Bite
Within a few hours, the chigger bites will begin to itch. The intense itching can often keep you awake at night. The bites will become red welts or blisters. Often these bites will be in straight lines. I have to admit, I have not noticed the straight lines of bites, but I will certainly try to pay more attention. Thankfully chiggers don’t carry diseases, however, the secondary infections caused by scratching can cause problems.
How Do Ticks Bite?
Once a lone star tick larva or turkey mite finds a host, it cut the skin and inserts its feeding tube. The feeding tube of ticks has barbs that help them attach to the host. Ticks in all stages of development suck blood from their host. It’s during this feeding time that the host can be exposed to the spread of diseases.
Some sources indicated that the larvae stage of ticks doesn’t typically spread tick-borne infections as it is the first stage of feeding and likely the ticks have not encountered diseases from other hosts. However other sources indicate that there is evidence of transmission of Rocky Mountain fever and other diseases at even the larvae stage of development. Anyone exposed to tick bites, should be mindful of signs of infection. Thankfully, Lone Start ticks are not carriers of Lyme disease.
Are Itchy Mite Bites Bugging You? Watch This.
FAQ
What do turkey mites do to humans?
Q: What are turkey mites? —
Hunters and others who have ventured through brushy areas have long complained about developing intense itching, especially on ankles and legs.
How to get rid of turkey mites on your body?
Shower Soon After Exposure After exposing yourself to turkey mites, it is best to shower with hot water and scrub affected areas. If you find any attached ticks, use tweezers or a tick removal tool to grasp the head of the tick as close to your skin as possible and remove it.
Are turkey mites baby ticks?
“Most entomologists agree that what is called the turkey mite or turkey chigger is a ‘seed tick,’” he said. Although some confusion accompanies the name of these creatures, their effects on warm-blooded animals and humans are distinct.
Are turkey mites and chiggers the same thing?
They are technically mites and much smaller than ticks – too small to see really. Even the small larval stage of a tick (sometimes referred to as a “turkey mite”) is larger than a chigger. Myth 4: They are the same thing as red velvet mites.