Birds are majestic and extraordinary creatures. They work day and night, searching for sticks and straws to build their nests. These miraculously crafted nests make you wonder about the beauty of nature. However, after their young learn to fly, these birds abandon their nests and fly away. These abandoned nests then tend to become the breeding ground of several parasites. Here, we will talk about some of the parasites that reside in bird nesting.
Bird mites
Birds tend to avoid predators and build their nests in nooks and crannies. The roof of your house can be an ideal location for a bird nest. If that is the case, then there is a high probability that the nest is infected with bird mites.
Bird mites or chicken mites are the most common type of parasites found in bird nests and are generally less than a millimeter in size. These mites do not require human blood to survive. However, these small eight-legged creatures can become a nuisance if they enter your home. Bird mites live on birds’ bodies and feed on their blood.
Do they bite humans?
Yes, bird mites have been known to bite humans. After the birds leave the nest, mites may look for new hosts to feed on. And although they can not thrive on human blood, they can cause some problems.
· Mite bites can cause secondary bacterial infections, primarily due to intense scratching.
· Sleep disturbance.
· Anxiety and depression (In rare cases).
· Red bumps on the bitten area.
· Crawling sensation due to the saliva of the mites.
In most cases, bird mite bites are harmless. However, secondary bacterial infection can occur in some cases, resulting in pain, redness, warm skin, and discharge from the bitten site.
Anyone living close to a bird’s nest is at risk of developing bird mite infestation, which can become a health hazard.
Sticktight fleas
These parasitic fleas bury themselves in the host’s skin and lay their eggs. More commonly known as poultry fleas, sticktight fleas are a bit smaller than the average flea. Although these fleas affect birds mostly, there have been cases of sticktight fleas burying themselves in human skin.
Fowl ticks
Fowl ticks are soft-bodied ticks commonly found in chickens, geese, and ducks. However, in some cases, they may infect birds and can become a parasite to their nest. These ticks may invade your home and cause allergic reactions in some cases. They have an extended lifespan and can live for up to four years without food, making it even more challenging to get rid of them.
Other parasites
Some other parasites that reside in the bird nests are:
· Feather mites.
· Lice.
· Bat bugs (rarely).
· Chiggers.
Conclusion
Bird nests can become a problem if they harbor parasites. To prevent an infestation, avoid contact with bird’s nests. If you have bird nests near you, try calling a professional bird control service. Bird control services are ideal for keeping parasitic birds away from your property.
If you have a bird problem, we can help. AviAway professionally installs bird control solutions for all bird species. We have 30+ years of experience in bird control and have performed work for companies like Amazon, Rite Aid, and the U.S. Postal Service. Click here or call 844-247-3373 to request a free bird control quote.
We also offer free bird control consultations. Click here to set up a free consultation and talk with one of our bird control experts about solving your bird problem.