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Mites in Windowsills
Mites in Windowsills. You may look on your windowsills and find mites, which can come indoors through gaps in windowsills, underneath doors or through air vents. Two species of mites are often found indoors: clover mites and tropical fowl mites. Infestations of mites are usually primarily a nuisance, but some species of mites cause skin irritation...
You may look on your windowsills and find mites, which can come indoors through gaps in windowsills, underneath doors or through air vents. Two species of mites are often found indoors: clover mites and tropical fowl mites. Infestations of mites are usually primarily a nuisance, but some species of mites cause skin irritation in humans.
Types
A variety of mites are accidental invaders of homes from the early spring to late fall. Clover mites are very tiny, only measuring 1/30 inch in length. These mites are oval-shaped and reddish-brown, orange or green. Immature mites are red in color and are so small that a magnifying glass is needed to see them. Tropical fowl mites are another species of mite that is found indoors. These mites live on birds, moving indoors to feed on humans when their bird hosts leave the nest. Tropical fowl mites are typically found in tropical climates where weather conditions are warm and humid. These tiny mites are difficult to see and have eight legs, similar to spiders.
Effects
Clover mites do not bite or sting humans but can cause skin irritation if they come in contact with human skin. When present in large numbers, clover mites are a nuisance pest, causing reddish-colored stains on furniture and carpets when crushed. Clover mites do not feed on fabric or food indoors. Tropical fowl mites are most common in areas where nesting birds are present, such as chickens or wild birds. These mites do bite humans and can move from feeding on birds to feeding on humans indoors.
Cultural Control
Clover mites can be controlled by removing all weeds near windows and doors, where these mites overwinter. Leaving a strip of bare soil around your home can also keep clover mites out, as these mites do not cross bare soil. Once clover mites come indoors, vacuum them up and dispose of the vacuum cleaner bag in an outdoor garbage can. Removing all bird nests in your chimney or near your home can help reduce tropical fowl mite infestations. Spraying outdoor walls with a hard stream of water can wash mites from the outside of homes before they migrate indoors through windows or vents.
Chemical Control
Spraying insecticides around the outdoor perimeter of your home can help reduce infestations of clover mites and tropical fowl mites. Apply insecticides to exterior walls right up to the base of the windows for the best results. Insecticides containing pyrethrins or diazinon are effective against most species of mites. Aerosol sprays may help keep mites under control indoors. Spray these products around windowsills and doors to kill mites on contact.
