Bird lice is a small mite that can be found naturally where birds are kept or nest. Most commonly a problem in Spring and early Summer (like most pests, they thrive in humid hot weather), as a bird leaves its nest, the lice need to go in search of new hosts – often sleeping humans! Where ever you have birds, you will find bird lice. The lice survive by feeding on a bird’s blood and breed rapidly in bird nesting material. They usually die within 3 weeks if they haven’t had a bird blood meal.

Bird mites need proper identification to determine how to best control the infestation. The bird nests need to be found and removed (it is advised that if you are planning on doing this step yourself, you wear a mask and gloves to prevent transfer or mites and bacterial infections). Once the nest has been removed we recommend the area be treated with the appropriate insecticide.

Like with most pests that bite, when you have an infestation it is best to seek the advice and management plan from a trained professional pest control technician, who is able to assist in removing the nest but treat the infested areas and work with you to prevent the birds from moving back in.